RMIT University has established a reputation of excellence in business and management education, providing high-quality, industry-responsive programs relevant for the national and global marketplace. RMIT Business helps create the future by undertaking business-related research and by providing work-integrated learning that enables students to engage skilfully and passionately in business, locally and internationally.

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) provides you with practical and theoretical knowledge, skills and expertise to enable you to become a literate and analytical practitioner in accounting. It is designed for graduates of non-accounting disciplines who wish to broaden their career prospects.

Graduates from the MPA gain employment in various sectors including:

Public accounting practice, supporting staff teams in areas such as auditing, taxation, management consulting, business services and receivership and
Commercial and government organisations in roles such as treasury, internal audit, strategic business planning, financial reporting and management accounting.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has identified accounting as an industry with a national skills shortage. Employment opportunities for accountants are very good and span a variety of roles in many different settings including:

reporting to senior management on the resources of the organisation
monitoring the cash flow and financial resources of the organisation
advising business on strategies for increased profits-providing financial advice
preparing financial reports, reconciling accounts and maintaining registers and records
evaluating business plans
refining financial systems
providing taxation advice
running a small business

Key benefits

Integrates work and learning
Strong links with industry
Professionally accredited with CPA, NIA and ICCA

Teaching methods and assessment

Teaching and learning delivery

A variety of teaching and learning techniques are utilised in the delivery of the program including:

Workshops
Team projects
Lectures and tutorials
Research projects

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods including essays, projects and invigilated examinations.

General information is available at Postgraduate Study at RMIT

Duration

Masters: one and a half years full-time or three years part-time. This duration incorporates the Graduate Diploma: one year full-time or two years part-time and Graduate Certificate: six months full-time or one year part-time.

Pathways

Credit transfer

In general, credit for prior undergraduate study is not granted in the MPA. In particular circumstances substitute masters courses may be granted for a stream of specific prior undergraduate study which is deemed by the Program Coordinator to be equivalent in content to postgraduate courses studied in the MPA program.

Double Masters—MPA/Masters of Commerce

Graduate with a second masters by studying the Master of Commerce (MCom). On completion of your Master of Professional Accounting, an additional 4 courses of study from a business discipline will allow you to gain a second qualification−a Master of Commerce. For further information visit www.rmit.edu.au/bus/doublemasters

Note: The sequence of study cannot be reversed.

Gaining credit for previous study or experience
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer are ways that RMIT recognises applicants' skills and knowledge gained through formal and informal education and training, work experience, and/or life experience (including volunteer work; committee responsibilities; family duties, hobbies).

Further information about gaining credit for previous study or experience

Further information about pathways

Career Prospects

Graduates may gain employment in various sectors including:

Public accounting practice, supporting staff teams in areas such as auditing, taxation, management consulting, business services and receivership
Commercial and government organisations in roles such as treasury, internal audit, strategic business planning, financial reporting and management accounting. The employment opportunities for accountants are very good and span a variety of roles in many different settings:
reporting to senior management on the resources of the organisation
monitoring the cash flow and financial resources of the organisation
advising business on strategies for increased profits—providing financial advice
preparing financial reports, reconciling accounts and maintaining registers and records
evaluating business plans
refining financial systems
providing taxation advice
running a small business

Professional Recognition

The MPA is specifically designed to comply with the accreditation requirements of the professional accounting bodies in Australia: CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. Successful completion of the MPA entitles you to apply for associate membership of CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the National Institute of Accountants. You must then undertake the chosen professional body’s qualification program and gain three years’ relevant practical experience to gain full membership.

Entrance Requirements

Students seeking admission to the program must have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than accounting.

A high level of English proficiency is required. Students who have completed a degree from an Australian university with an accounting major will not be considered for admission.

Equity admissions schemes
RMIT understands that people's backgrounds and circumstances can affect their access to education and training. RMIT’s equity admissions schemes allow applicants to explain the circumstances that have adversely affected their education, and demonstrate their capacity for future academic success.

Further information is available at equity admissions schemes

Click here for further information.

Application Procedures

Timely applications for postgraduate coursework programs are due by:
10 November each year (Semester 1)*
31 May each year (Semester 2/Midyear entry)*

* Note: Applications will continue to be accepted until all places have been filled.

You are encouraged to lodge your application early.
Future students may enquire through Info Corner (formerly the Office for Prospective Students) at any time.

Apply via:RMIT direct application form
Info Corner (formerly the Office for Prospective Students)
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. +61 3 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries

Click here for further information.

Fees

2009: AU$23,040 total Masters program

2009: AU$7,680 per stage of the program (e.g. Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Masters)

Fees are payable at the commencement of each semester and are calculated annually

The prices quoted are total program prices at 2009. Tuition fees are subject to annual adjustment and are not fixed for the duration of your study. Changes to fees are applied from 1 January each year. Further information is available at: www.rmit.edu.au/programs/fees/highered/fullfees

Programs by coursework are offered on a Fee Paying Places (FFP) basis. A limited number of coursework programs and all honours programs have Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) (previously HECS).

Fee Paying Places (FPP)
FPP students are required to pay the complete cost of their program. FPP fees vary according to each program.

Students offered a FPP maybe eligible for the FEE-HELP (FEE-Higher Education Loan Program) scheme, which enables eligible fee paying students to obtain an interest-free loan up to a maximum value of $80,000 from the Commonwealth Government to pay all or part of their tuition fees.

For further information: www.goingtouni.gov.au

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)
A CSP is jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government and the student. In 2009, the fees will range between $4,162 and $8,677 per year for a standard full-time program. The exact cost varies according to each course.

Calculating tuition costs for Commonwealth supported students

Postgraduate Coursework Commonwealth Supported Equity Places
RMIT has a limited number of government subsidised Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) in full-fee postgraduate coursework programs for applicants who meet entrance and equity criteria. Instead of paying full-fees either upfront or with a FEE-HELP loan, the CSP Equity place allows students to complete their program as a Commonwealth supported student in a subsidised place with a choice of up-front, partial up-front or deferred payment options.

For further information: www.rmit.edu.au/equity

Record spend on RMIT scholarships
RMIT University will spend more than $60 million on student scholarships over the next five years. RMIT has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students.

Further information is available at RMIT Scholarships

Click here for further information.

Additional Expenses

Expenses other than tuition fees may be expected in relation to the purchase of textbooks, fees levied by commercial internet providers and similar costs.

Program Structure

The following program structure(s) are linked to this program.

Contact Details

School of Accounting
RMIT University
Level 15, 239 Bourke Street,
Melbourne VIC 3000
www.rmit.edu.au/bus/acclaw

Ms Benbie Lau
Coordinator, Postgraduate student services
Tel. +61 3 9925 5768
E-mail: benbie.lau@rmit.edu.au

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Owning School

Accounting & Law

Disclaimer

Although RMIT endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, there is no guarantee it will remain accurate all year. Applicants are advised to confirm program details with the appropriate school before making an application.