Bachelor of Accounting
with a major in Accounting and Financial Planning – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Selected major: Accounting and Financial Planning
Note: This Major is 16 units (200 Credit Points) If you select this Major you cannot do any Electives/Minors
Widen your career options with this major in accounting and financial planning.
You’ll gain necessary skills and use accounting technologies to evaluate, analyse and communicate financial information to deliver insights that drive business outcomes.
You’ll also develop the knowledge to help clients manage their money well now and plan for a more secure financial future with coverage of topics such as investment, taxation, insurance, retirement and estate planning.
In addition to the technical skills, you’ll learn life skills so you can connect with clients and manage their businesses and finances with confidence.
This major meets the educational requirements of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and is approved by the Financial Advisers Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA).
It is accredited by the Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC); the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ); CPA Australia; and the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB).
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 our range of Accounting single and double majors in the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Business (Professional).
Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 30% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.
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This course is professionally accredited by




Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 28 February 2022
- Semester 2 - 1 August 2022
Duration
3 Year/s
Full-time
VTAC codes
- 3400210651 (CSP)
- 3400210653 (IFP)
CRICOS code
088381K
Fees
A$33100 (annual for 2022)*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
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 |
Introduction to Business Information Systems | INF10003 | 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 and Financial Planning
Note: This Major is 16 units (200 Credit Points) If you select this Major you cannot do any Electives/Minors
Widen your career options with this major in accounting and financial planning.
You’ll gain necessary skills and use accounting technologies to evaluate, analyse and communicate financial information to deliver insights that drive business outcomes.
You’ll also develop the knowledge to help clients manage their money well now and plan for a more secure financial future with coverage of topics such as investment, taxation, insurance, retirement and estate planning.
In addition to the technical skills, you’ll learn life skills so you can connect with clients and manage their businesses and finances with confidence.
This major meets the educational requirements of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and is approved by the Financial Advisers Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA).
It is accredited by the Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC); the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ); CPA Australia; and the Tax Practitioner Board (TPB).
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Financial Information Systems | ACC10008 | 12.5 |
Financial Statistics | FIN10002 | 12.5 |
Principles of Financial Planning | FIN10003 | 12.5 |
Management Accounting for Planning and Control | ACC20007 | 12.5 |
Company Accounting | ACC20013 | 12.5 |
Financial Management * | FIN20014 | 12.5 |
Ethics and Client Relationships * | FIN20015 | 12.5 |
Finance and Behavioural Bias | FIN20017 | 12.5 |
Forensic Accounting | ACC30003 | 12.5 |
Taxation * | ACC30005 | 12.5 |
Accounting Theory * | ACC30008 | 12.5 |
Auditing * | ACC30010 | 12.5 |
Investment and Financial Planning Project * | FIN30017 | 12.5 |
Personal Financial Risk and Estate Planning * | FIN30022 | 12.5 |
Retirement Planning * | FIN30023 | 12.5 |
Finance Law | LAW20045 | 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).

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, English language requirements and pathways.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.