Master of Professional Accounting and Finance

2020 Deakin University Handbook

Note: You are seeing the 2020 view of this course information. These details may no longer be current. [Go to the current version]

Year	2020 course information
Award granted	Master of Professional Accounting and Finance
Course Map	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2020. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 2 2020. This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 3 2020. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
Cloud Campus	Yes
Duration	Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, the Master Professional Accounting and Finance is typically 1, 1.5 or 2 years duration. 1 year full time (2 years part time) - 8 credit points 1.5 years full time (3 years part time) - 12 credit points 2 years full time (4 years part time) - 16 credit points Deakin courses can also be studied part time over a longer period.
CRICOS course code	096841J Burwood (Melbourne)
Deakin course code	M794
Approval status	This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Final offering for this course is Trimester 3 2020.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

This Masters program is a combined course which allows you to exit with the accounting units necessary to take the next step in relation to the professional accounting bodies and to have a strong knowledge in finance. Specialising in Accounting and Finance, this course meets the needs of employers and professional bodies operating in these discipline areas.

You cover a range of relevant areas including portfolio management and international finance, financial and management accounting, ,income tax law, auditing, fraud and governance and more.

Studying appropriate units within this course will also help make you eligible for entry as an associate member of CPA Australia among other professional recognition.

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 appropriate selection of units within the Master of Professional Accounting and Finance can:

grant eligibility for entry as an associate member of CPA Australia;
meet the educational requirements for entry into the CA program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ);
meet the educational requirements for the Institute of Public Accountants
allow students to enter the Certified Management Accountants (CMA) study program.

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. Click here for more information.

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

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.

Alternative exits

Graduate Certificate of Finance (M530)
Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting (M506)
Graduate Diploma of Finance (M630)
Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting (M696)

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, your fee category and the year you started. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduate Learning Outcome	Course Learning Outcome
Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of current and emerging accounting and finance concepts and practices in contemporary business.
Communication	Use advanced communication skills to justify and communicate complex accounting and finance concepts and ideas to accountants, finance professionals and other business related occupations
Digital literacy	Be able to apply appropriate digital technologies to find, use, manage and disseminate complex financial and accounting data, information and ideas.
Critical thinking	Use a specialised set of high order cognitive and critical analysis skills expected of accounting and finance professionals in contemporary business to evaluate, synthesise and justify complex ideas and recommendations.
Problem solving	Develop solutions to real world and ill-defined problems faced by accounting and finance professionals in business.
Self-management	Use acquired skills to undertake own work and learning and conduct independent research.
Teamwork	Develop teamwork skills and facilitate a positive team environment by working with and learning from others on accounting and international finance issues.
Global citizenship	Engage ethically, professionally and productively in a professional accounting, international finance and business context in light of changing global perspectives.

Course rules

The Master of Professional Accounting and Finance is typically 8, 12 or 16 credit points. The exact number of credit points you study depends on how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) - your professional experience and previous qualifications - which can save you time and money.

For students undertaking 16 credit points, you study 15 credit points of core units and a 1 credit point elective unit, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point unit, MAI010 Academic Integrity. Most units (think of units as ‘subjects’) are equal to 1 credit point.

Students are introduced to research tools and techniques in core units of the course where they learn analytic skills and the practical application of those skills in professional contexts. They must also complete advanced level units and a capstone unit that require them to integrate the skills learnt over their course of study and produce applied pieces of research with reference to prevailing literature.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point unit

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

MAI010

Academic Integrity

Course structure

Elective units

Restricted elective (one of):

MAA753

Professional Research and Analysis

MAF711

Modelling Techniques for Finance

MAF760

International Finance

MPE707

International Banking and Finance

MWL716

Consultancy Experience

MWL705

Cultural Experience

MWL717

Entrepreneurship Experience

MWL718

Internship

Course structure

Core units

MPA701

Accounting ^{1, 2}

MAA703

Accounting for Management ^{1, 2, 4}

MAA705

Corporate Auditing ^2,3,4

MAA716

Financial Accounting ^{1, 2}

MAA725

Advanced Accounting Principles and Practice ^{1, 2, 4}

MAA763

Governance and Fraud

MAF702

Financial Markets

MAF703

Applied Corporate Finance

MAF707

Investments and Portfolio Management

MAF759

Analytical Methods

MLC703

Principles of Income Tax Law ^1,2,3,4

MLC707

Business Law ^{1, 2, 4}

MPF753

Finance ^{1, 2, 4}

MPT781/MPE781

Economics for Managers ^{1, 2,}

MAA789

Accounting Systems and Analytics

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 Candidates have the option of either completing MAA705 and/or MLC703 in the CPA Program. All other core curriculum areas must be completed for admission as an Associate member of CPA Australia.

⁴For candidates who would like to obtain exemptions to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) foundation level program.

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 or CPA programs or apply for exemptions to the ACCA program are advised that it is their responsibility to ensure that they take the appropriate units required for entry.

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

Students should consult with a course adviser to identify any additional requirements for membership for each professional body, and also consult with the professional body.

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.

Further information

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

Contact Student Central

Research and research-related study

This course includes 1cp equivalent research-related study as well as learning embedded across a number of units where student achievement is demonstrated in specific assessment tasks.