Master of Professional Accounting (Extended)
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Swinburne’s Master of Professional Accounting (Extended) is our top-of-the-range MPA program. This professionally accredited course includes a choice of three specialisations: business analytics, finance, and the CPA Australia extension*.
Gain specialised knowledge and research skills relevant across industry sectors and prepare for senior roles where you will be relied upon for your valuable insights and analysis.
Swinburne’s strong industry connections will ensure your learning experience is practical with expert guest speakers, topical projects, real-world case histories and embedded use of industry software Xero.
Choose the business analytics specialisation and develop your expertise in booming areas such as data visualisation, predictive analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and insights, mobile applications and social networks.
Choose the finance specialisation to delve more deeply into finance and banking areas of interest, such as corporate financial management, capital markets, business and entity valuations and risk management.
Choose the CPA Australia extension* if you are planning to sit the CPA Program™ exams as this specialisation complements the CPA Program distance education program. Swinburne’s distinctive CPA extension aligns with the four compulsory CPA Program Subjects as well as two CPA Program electives (Australian Taxation, and Advanced Audit and Assurance).
At Swinburne you’ll also be learning from leading academics, many of whom have been involved in the design, writing and/or examination of CPA Program™ subjects.
*The CPA Australia extension is currently unavailable for 2024 enrolments.
Duration
2 years full-time or 4 years part-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1, Semester 2) - View application and start dates
Study modes
- Full-time,
- Part-time
2023 Start Dates
2024 Start Dates
Professionally accredited by



Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Master of Professional Accounting (Extended), students must complete sixteen (16) units (200 credit points) comprising:
- 10 Core units
- 6 units comprising of a compulsory specialisation and electives. Students who choose the CPA specialisation will not complete any additional elective units)
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Master of Professional Accounting (Extended) is 50 credit points (normally four units). Up to 100 point of exemptions for students from Master of Professional Accounting programs from a recognised University.
Units of study
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.
Career opportunities
Aims and objectives
- 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 diverse team, and use the basic tools and practices of accounting within project work
- demonstrate integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, respect and a developing awareness of professional practices and cultural norms in a global and sustainable context
- apply accounting and business fundamentals to the analysis, design and operation of a business model using appropriate accounting and business methods and tools
- reflect on and take responsibility for their own learning and self-management processes, and develop skills to review, reflect on and plan to improve their professional performance
- apply knowledge of research principles and methods to plan and execute a piece of research with some independence
- engage ethically, professionally and productively in a professional accounting, finance and business context in light of changing global perspectives.

Professional recognition
Pathways and scholarships
- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.

AACSB Accreditation
Swinburne business degrees are 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 five per cent of business schools worldwide are AACSB accredited.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
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 any discipline or
- a Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting * (For students without a recognised bachelor degree) or
- completion of the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (International applicants only)