Bachelor of Accounting
with a major in Accounting – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Selected major: Accounting
In this Accounting major you’ll learn how to deliver insights that drive business outcomes while appreciating how the pursuit of profit and purpose are the foundations of future, sustainable businesses.
Gain an appreciation of what theories and methods develop your practical skills and use accounting technologies to evaluate, analyse and communicate financial information.
The major will prepare you for career opportunities in business advisory, company accounting, management accounting, financial management, financial information systems, tax and auditing.
Graduates with an Accounting major may be eligible to apply for membership of CPA Australia (CPAA), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
To be eligible for the CPA program you must also complete unit LAW20019 Law of Commerce.
Students seeking membership with overseas professional accounting bodies may need to complete additional units.
If you are interested in accounting, you may also wish to consider Swinburne’s Bachelor of Accounting, or Bachelor of Accounting and Business Information Technology (Professional).
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 will need to adapt and thrive in this rapidly evolving profession.
Today's accountants work increasingly with financial technologies, big data, data analytics and data visualisation tools. They use figures to tell both big picture and detailed financial stories through lenses like those focused on ethical practices, the environment and sustainability.
Build up your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs, which are a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees and can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects. In this degree, in the Industry Consulting Project (BUS30009), you’ll team up with other students to work on a real project briefed to you by an industry partner.
Graduates find rewarding work in industry, commerce, the public sector, the financial industry or business consulting and public accounting.
Accounting degree options
If you are interested in accounting you may also like to look at Swinburne’s Bachelor of Accounting and Business Information Technology (Professional) degree or our range of Accounting single and double majors in the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Business (Professional).
Finalise your VTAC preferences
Get confident in your preferences with our Change of Preference Expo, campus and accommodation tours, one-on-one appointments, advice from real students and more. Show me
This course is professionally accredited by
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 27 February 2023
- Semester 2 - 31 July 2023
VTAC codes
- 3400210651 (CSP)
- 3400210653 (IFP)
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Accounting requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Information for Decision Making | ACC10007 | 12.5 |
| Innovative Business Practice | BUS10012 | 12.5 |
| Economic Principles | ECO10004 | 12.5 |
| Business Digitalisation | INF10024 | 12.5 |
| Law of Commerce | LAW20019 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Management | MGT10001 | 12.5 |
| Industry Consulting Project * | BUS30009 | 12.5 |
| Advanced Innovative Business Practice * | BUS30024 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Selected major: Accounting
In this Accounting major you’ll learn how to deliver insights that drive business outcomes while appreciating how the pursuit of profit and purpose are the foundations of future, sustainable businesses.
Gain an appreciation of what theories and methods develop your practical skills and use accounting technologies to evaluate, analyse and communicate financial information.
The major will prepare you for career opportunities in business advisory, company accounting, management accounting, financial management, financial information systems, tax and auditing.
Graduates with an Accounting major may be eligible to apply for membership of CPA Australia (CPAA), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
To be eligible for the CPA program you must also complete unit LAW20019 Law of Commerce.
Students seeking membership with overseas professional accounting bodies may need to complete additional units.
If you are interested in accounting, you may also wish to consider Swinburne’s Bachelor of Accounting, or Bachelor of Accounting and Business Information Technology (Professional).
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Information Systems | ACC10008 | 12.5 |
| Financial Statistics | FIN10002 | 12.5 |
| Management Accounting for Planning and Control | ACC20007 | 12.5 |
| Company Accounting | ACC20013 | 12.5 |
| Financial Management * | FIN20014 | 12.5 |
| Taxation * | ACC30005 | 12.5 |
| Accounting Theory * | ACC30008 | 12.5 |
| Auditing * | ACC30010 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Other studies
8 units (100 credit points)
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).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Business
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A | BUS20010 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B | BUS20011 | 25 |
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Business
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Business | BUS20010 | 25 |
A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- 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
Course learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- define and integrate theoretical principles applicable to accounting 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 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
Graduates with an Accounting or Accounting and Finance Major may be eligible to apply for membership of CPA Australia (CPAA), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
Fees
- Fees for 2022 and 2023.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
Fees for 2022
| 2022 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$43,890 | $14,630 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Fees for 2023
| 2023 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$45,426 | $15,142 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
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.
Our financial planning courses are FASEA approved*
The Financial Advisers Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) has approved Swinburne’s undergraduate and postgraduate courses in financial planning. This includes the Bachelor of Business and the Bachelor of Accounting, with majors in Financial Planning, or in Accounting and Financial Planning. Graduates of a FASEA approved Swinburne course will satisfy the educational standards and requirements prescribed by FASEA to provide financial advice in Australia. Graduates are eligible for entry into the Financial Planning Association of Australia’s CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®) certified program.
*Undergraduate courses are awaiting confirmation of reaccreditation from Financial Advisors Standards (FAS), formally FASEA - 1 Feb 2022
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne.
Find out more about how to apply.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.