Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
The Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting provides a sound introduction to procedures in accounting and finance. It can also launch you onto the path towards a Master of Professional Accounting.
Designed to develop the technical, analytical and creative skills you’ll need to support a successful career in accounting and finance. This course includes units of study in accounting systems and reporting, economics, business modelling and analysis, and corporations and contract law.
Our strong industry links means your experiential learning is relevant and practice with real-world cases, and robust discussions with practising professionals.
This course provides an entry level into university study with admission based on your previous study and/or relevant full-time work experience.
Graduates may choose to continue into a Swinburne Master of Professional Accounting with full credit for units already completed.
Duration
6 months full-time or 1 year part-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Part-time (day)
2023 Start Dates
Semester 1 -
27 February 2023
Semester 2 -
31 July 2023
2024 Start Dates
Semester 2 -
29 July 2024
Semester 1 -
26 February 2024
Professionally accredited by
The director of my company recognised my commitment and study success and created a role which incorporated my new-born skills. It's never too late to make a change in your life. It is hard work, but if you want the change enough you make it work. A little sacrifice may lead to a rewarding new career.
Tim
Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
The Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting is designed for students who wish to obtain a sound introduction to concepts and procedures in accounting and finance. The program develops the technical, practical, analytical and creative skills necessary to support a successful career in accounting and finance. It provides an entry level into tertiary study and the ability to obtain a tertiary qualification for appropriately qualified candidates.
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting, students must complete 50 credit points comprising of:
- Four core units (12.5 credit points each)
Units of study
Students complete the following four core units (12.5 credit points each):
* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities and course aims and objectives.
Career opportunities
The accounting program provides an avenue for graduates to achieve professional recognition and help fill the shortage of professionally recognised accountants. As many candidates may already be established in a business career, the key vocational outcomes may arise from better current job performance together with new opportunities opening in the accounting and finance areas.
Aims and objectives
The Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting course is designed for students who wish to obtain a sound introduction to concepts and procedures in accounting and related areas of business. The course develops the technical, practical, analytical and creative skills necessary to support professional and highly skilled work by providing a body of knowledge in the areas of accounting, finance, business modeling and law. Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting allows articulation into the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting and Master of Professional Accounting.
At completion of the Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting, graduates should be able to:
- apply coherent and developed knowledge of accounting and business related concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking.
- apply problem solving, design and decision making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with reference to established frameworks
- communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a team
- demonstrate integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, respect and a developing awareness of professional practices and cultural norms in a global and sustainable context.
Pathways and scholarships
- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Fees are estimates for students commencing in 2023 only: Tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelor degree in a related discipline or
A recognised bachelor degree in any discipline PLUS a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* or
A minimum of three years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience*
*Relevant professional/managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate) with reference to Faculty determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application. Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.
A recognised bachelor degree in any discipline PLUS a minimum of two years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience* or
A minimum of three years equivalent full-time relevant professional experience*
*Relevant professional/managerial experience and evidence of academic capability will be determined by the Faculty PVC (or delegate) with reference to Faculty determined guiding principles. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application. Documents substantiating relevant experience are required, clearly detailing roles and duration, as well as evidence of formal and non-formal learning. Where relevant experience is used for the basis of admission, no further recognition for prior learning/credit can be granted on that basis.