Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Indicative student workload
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks
• Pathways
• Alternative exits
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure
• Work experience

Course overview

Increasing complexity of global markets and reporting requirements suggests the growing importance of accounting as a dynamic and exciting profession. Study our Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting to become a financial information specialist with the skills and knowledge to inform business decision making within a wide range of organisations.

 As a course that provides pathways to professional accounting qualifications for graduates of any discipline, you can complement your overall management knowledge and expertise, or undertake further studies towards membership of CPA Australia or entry into the CA Program.

Develop the skills, technical knowledge and understanding required in accounting and finance, and their application within the broader world of business. Explore important topics in management accounting, including decision making and performance management in organisations, as well as financial accounting and reporting. In addition to core accounting topics, you’ll also get an introduction to the fundamentals of accounting theory and corporate social responsibility reporting. Plus, you'll gain an understanding of the regulatory and conceptual frameworks that underpin accounting for corporate entities and of the logic behind existing accounting rules.

Deakin Business School's Work Integrated Learning program gives you the opportunity to enhance your job prospects with real world experience. In the finance unit you’ll have the opportunity to engage with business within the workplace and in doing so develop practical and analytical finance skills by participating in real-world projects. As a result you'll develop analytical skills for making key financial management decisions, as well as useful skills and knowledge relevant both for running a business or taking roles in managerial positions within large companies.

Indicative student workload

As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Professional recognition

Completion of the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting and selecting the correct combination of units in one of our professionally accredited courses, provides the opportunity for students to be eligible to apply for admission to the:

CA Program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
Associate membership for the CPA Program, CPA Australia
IPA Program for the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and
Exemptions may apply for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Students should carefully note the trimesters when units are offered to ensure that all required units can be completed in the appropriate time frame.

Students who wish to enter the CA, CPA programs or exemptions to the ACCA program are advised that it is their responsibility to ensure that they take the appropriate units required for entry.

Students who have completed prior undergraduate or graduate units in accounting or other core knowledge areas are advised to have their qualifications assessed by their preferred professional organisation to ensure they complete the correct units.

Please note: The eligibility of students for membership of any of the accounting accrediting bodies is subject to meeting the requirements of that body and that Deakin makes no representations that individuals will meet those requirements.

Career opportunities

As an accounting graduate you may find employment in major international accounting firms, investment banks and virtually every area of business and government.

Participation requirements

Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.

Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.

Pathways

Upon completing the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting you can progress to the Master of Professional Accounting or Master of Commerce.

Alternative exits

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course rules

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, students must attain a total of 8 credit points, consisting of 4 credit points of core units and 4 credit points of elective units, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, MAI010 Academic Integrity Module. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

Core units

Notes:
¹ Required by CPA Australia for Associate (foundation level) Membership.
² Required by the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand for entry to the CA Program.
⁴ For candidates who would like to obtain exemptions to the ACCA program.

Elective units

Select 4 credit points of units from:

or units from the Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Finance and the Master of Financial Planning. Other postgraduate units may be taken subject to the approval of the Course Director.

^{^} MPT code denotes Study Tour version of the unit

Notes:
¹ Required by CPA Australia for Associate (foundation level) Membership.
² Required by the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand for entry to the CA Program.
³ For candidates who have completed an accredited degree in Australia, this unit may be taken as part of the CPA program. Other students must complete the unit before becoming an Associate Member of CPA Australia.
⁴ For candidates who would like to obtain exemptions to the ACCA program.

Work experience

This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more elective work integrated learning units.
More information: WIL Programs

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning into the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate postgraduate studies.  There are negotiated Recognition of Prior Learning arrangements in place for CPA members.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central