Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
Online delivery
Kick-start a rewarding and successful career in the finance industry with a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.
Gain the skills and knowledge required to work in accounting support roles, such as a bookkeeper, accounts clerk or payroll officer.
You’ll gain practical knowledge of a variety of accounting and bookkeeping tasks performed in the workplace, including completing Business Activity Statements (BAS) and other office taxes, preparing financial reports, and establishing and maintaining a payroll system. Units are delivered online, supported by webinars.
This course meets the educational requirements of obtaining the BAS agent registration by the Tax Practitioners Board (TFB).Duration
12 to 18 months part-time
Intakes
Online (February, April, July, October) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Online
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
Study this course for low-fee or free in 2021
You could have some or all your tuition fees covered in 2021 thanks to government initiatives JobTrainer and Free TAFE for Priority Courses.
JobTrainer is available if you are 17-24 years or a job seeker of any age, impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Free TAFE for Priority Courses is available if you are under 20 years old, or enrolling in a course at a higher level than you have completed before.
If you don't tick either of these boxes, you could still have a chance! There are other factors, too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
In the Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping students learn to perform duties such as:
- completing Business Activity Statements (BAS)
- operational reporting
- producing non-complex management reports
- setting up and operating a computer-based financial system
- classifying, recording and reporting accounting information
- establishing and maintaining a payroll system
- managing a small office and ensuring relevant legal requirements are adhered to.
After successfully completing this course, students may wish to continue their studies with the Diploma of Accounting (FNS50217).
Course structure
Course Structure
To obtain this qualification, students must complete thirteen units including five electives chosen in consultation with industry. The course is delivered mainly online with some optional on campus workshops for some units. The course includes scheduled webinars (video conferencing) on Monday and Tuesdays between 5.30 and 9.30 pm. Webinars are recorded so that students can review if unable to attend. Additional support is provided through email and telephone by both the course coordinator and administration. The course will be delivered by supportive qualified staff in blocks of nine weeks for 12 - 18 months
Study Commitment
Most students take 12-18 months to complete this course and choose to study part-time to balance work or personal commitments. A part-time study load is approximately 1-3 units at any time. Online study requires a high level of self-discipline and work is required each week for each unit.
Course (textbook requirements)
There are prescribed textbooks to be purchased, either as hardcopy or as eBooks from the Swinburne Bookshop at the Hawthorn campus or online. https://bookshop.swin.edu.au/ or from the publisher.
Assessment requirements
- Short answer questions
- Practical exercises
- Case studies
- Computerised assessments in Xero, MYOB and Excel
- Supervised assessments for some units, either on campus or at an approved off campus location, as required by the Tax Practitioners Board.
Units of study
Order of Units
It is recommended the units below be completed in the following order:
- Process financial transactions and extract interim reports (FNSACC311) and,
- Administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers (FNSACC312)
(enrol in these 2 units together in the same block), BEFORE any other Accounting/Bookkeeping specific units in particular Prepare financial reports (BSBFIA401) and Prepare financial statements for non-reporting entities (FNSACC414).
It is highly recommended students do not study more than 3 units in each teaching block.
It is highly recommended students do not study more than 3 units in each teaching block.
Core units:
Prepare financial reports (BSBFIA401)
Introduce cloud computing into business operations (BSBSMB412)
Process financial transactions and extract interim reports (FNSACC311)
Administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers (FNSACC312)
Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry (FNSACC408)
Set up and operate a computerised accounting system (FNSACC416)
Complete business activity and instalment activity statements * (FNSTPB401)
Establish and maintain payroll systems* (FNSTPB402)
* Unit required for the FNSSS00004 BAS Agent Registration Skill Set.
Elective units:
Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business (BSBSMB401)
Write simple documents (BSBWRT301)
Perform financial calculations (FNSACC313)
Develop and use complex spreadsheets (BSBITU402)
Prepare financial statements for non-reporting entities (FNSACC414)
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
This qualification reflects job roles in financial services and other industries requiring accounting support functions, including accounts payable officer, accounts receivable officer, bookkeeper and administration officer. Duties such as the following could be performed:
- completing Business Activity Statements (BAS)
- operational reporting
- producing non-complex management reports
- setting up and operating a computer-based financial system
- classifying, recording and reporting accounting information
- ensuring relevant legal requirements are adhered to
- payroll duties
- bookkeeping
Aims and objectives
The aim of this course is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to be gainfully employed in accounting support roles, such as bookkeeper, accounts clerk, or payroll officer. This course is currently meeting the educational requirements of obtaining the BAS (Business Activity Statement) agent registration by the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB). This qualification is recognised by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) and students will be eligible for free student membership while completing the course.
Graduate skills
Students will be expected to have practical knowledge of a variety of accounting and bookkeeping tasks performed in the workplace.
Professional recognition
Students will be eligible for a free student membership with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) as Swinburne is recognised as an Accredited Training Provider. Student membership is available for the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) upon application.
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Certificate IV in Accounting and BookkeepingEstimated course fees for 2021* |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course fee options | Full course fee | Skills First Government-subsidised place | Concession rate | Is this a Free TAFE course? |
| Total Cost (GST Free) | $6,310 | $3,000 | $600 | Yes |
Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2021 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.
Free TAFE Government-subsidised place
You could have your tuition fees covered thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
You could have your tuition fees covered thanks to the Victorian Government's Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
This course is delivered with state government funding.
Skills First Government-subsidised place
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
You could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.
Concession rates for vocational students
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession if you meet the eligibility criteria. Concession rates usually provide eligible students with a discount on Swinburne’s standard tuition fees for a range of vocational education (TAFE) qualifications.
Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available to Aboriginals or Torres Strait Islanders or Youth Concession students enrolled prior to 1 July 2012 and continuing the same course in 2013.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession if you meet the eligibility criteria. Concession rates usually provide eligible students with a discount on Swinburne’s standard tuition fees for a range of vocational education (TAFE) qualifications.
Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available to Aboriginals or Torres Strait Islanders or Youth Concession students enrolled prior to 1 July 2012 and continuing the same course in 2013.
The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.
Full course fee
If you are not granted a government-subsidised place, you will be eligible for the full course fee. Check your eligibility now.
If you are not granted a government-subsidised place, you will be eligible for the full course fee. Check your eligibility now.
Indicative nominal course hours: 560.
Entry requirements
Exit VCE or equivalent or Mature Age Entry. Applicants must complete the on-line literacy and numeracy assessment before enrolling.
Technical requirements
Students need a headphone/microphone and camera through a computer connected to the internet to use 'Collaborate Ultra ' within the CANVAS learning management system.
Text books
This course requires text books and students are not restricted where they purchase from. The list of required books is here.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
Find out more
Submit an online enquiry
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE
Email: study@swinburne.edu.au
Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059