General Information

Overview

Swinburne’s Bachelor of Accounting is about so much more than numbers. It’s about how finances affect businesses and people’s lives.

This course aims to develop the technical skills and personal traits you’ll need to adapt and thrive in this rapidly evolving profession.

Today’s accountants can interpret figures to tell big picture and detail-focused stories that take into consideration ethical practices, the environment, and sustainability.

Study structure

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Accounting, students must complete 300 credit points.

Students may not complete more than 125 credit points (normally 10 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Financial Information for Decision Making
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		ACC10007
Learning and Communicating Innovative Business Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		COM10011
Economic Principles
Core unit 		ECO10004
Introduction to Business Information Systems
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		INF10003
Law of Commerce
Core unit , 12.5 credit points 		LAW20019
Introduction to Management
Core unit 		MGT10001
Advanced Innovative Business Practice
Core unit 		BUS30024
Industry Consulting Project
Core unit 		BUS30009
Major units
Financial Information Systems
Major unit , 12.5 credit points , 100 hours 		ACC10008
Financial Statistics
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		FIN10002
Management Accounting for Planning and Control
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		ACC20007
Company Accounting
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		ACC20013
Financial Management
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		FIN20014
Accounting Theory
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		ACC30008
Taxation
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		ACC30005
Auditing
Major unit , 12.5 credit points 		ACC30010

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

These recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.

Find more detail about elective units

Aims and objectives

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Accounting, students will be able to: 

  • define and integrate theoretical principles applicable to business and apply those principles in a range of practices
  • systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources in order to make informed judgements on options for innovatively solving a range of problems that arise in business contexts
  • formulate creative solutions that are fit for purpose and demonstrate cognisance of the impact of business decisions on environment, economy and society
  • coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas
  • communicate a range of business arguments by evaluating and implementing alternative communication strategies as appropriate to the audience
  • build on and continuously develop the intellectual independence to be critical and reflective learners, cognisant of new technologies
  • work collaboratively in diverse groups.

Career opportunities

This course prepares graduates for careers in the accounting, investment and finance industries. Graduates may find employment with small or large companies worldwide, including private practices, government-owned entities and banks. Possible roles include graduate accountant, account manager, auditor, fund accounting officer, taxation agent, merchant banker, corporate treasurer, investment banker and financial adviser.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Accounting is professionally accredited through CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). Graduates of this program   are therefore eligible to apply for membership of these professional bodies and Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). Graduates  are eligible to receive a number of exemptions from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and from The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).The degree is also  accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. The alumni of AACSB accredited business schools are among the world’s most influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs impacting business, government, and non-profit sectors. Only the top six per cent of business schools worldwide are AACSB accredited.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Accounting is 150 credit points (normally 12 units).

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Bachelor of Accounting?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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