Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 6 months, Other -
Location
Melbourne City, Online -
Fees
Next intake
Open Universities Australia, February, July Entry score
6.5 IELTS
Duration
Full-time 6 months Location
Melbourne City, Online
Overview
This accounting course is aimed at graduates of non-accounting disciplines who want to broaden their career prospects.
In order to meet accreditation requirements, you will need to complete the Master of Professional Accounting, which includes compulsory curriculum areas designated by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand or the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension).
Our course offers studies in the core areas of accounting and business and social, environmental, cultural and ethical issues that affect contemporary business environments.
Details
This course is available:
- at the Melbourne City campus, offering up to two intakes a year
- online through Open Universities Australia (OUA), offering up to three intakes a year.
On campus
Your classes will mostly be held at the Swanston Academic Building where innovative learning spaces are interspersed with retail and social spaces resulting in a stimulating environment for business students.
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, presentations, group projects, research projects, quizzes and tests, blog journals and practical assignments.
myRMIT
Through RMIT University’s online learning portal, myRMIT, you will be able to view online resources and learning activities created by lecturers, access course materials via Canvas, collaborate with lecturers and fellow students, and access your student email account. Educational software, Canvas, other online and digital resources and printers are accessible on campus via the RMIT wireless network using your own laptop, tablet or smart phone or via computer facilities on-campus. You will be able to access the same software from home using myDesktop.
Find out more about student computing at RMIT.
Postgraduate courses in accounting have been developed in consultation with stakeholders including: employers, professional bodies, alumni and students, the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Guiding the development of the College of Business, both nationally and internationally, is an Industry Advisory Board of high-profile executives chaired by Gerhard Vorster, Chief Strategy Officer, Deloitte. The Board creates a strategic bridge between the latest in technology and design thinking and business.
The Graduate Certificate comprises four core courses in accounting.
It is recommended that you follow the sequence of courses presented in the enrolment structure
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting | City Campus |
0.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
|
0.5 years full-time
|
GC119 | 084995A |
Choose a program structure
Program code: GC119
Career
Graduates may work in public accounting practice or commercial and government organisations.
Graduates are encouraged to progress to the Master of Professional Accounting or the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension).
Course accreditation or membership offered by professional bodies signals to employers the quality and relevance of RMIT's courses and opens up career pathways and networks.
Professional bodies accredit or recognise courses as meeting professional and academic standards deemed to be essential for a new graduate entering into that profession. An accredited course will either enable the graduate to enter directly into a professional qualifications program or provide the graduate with exemptions or credit towards a post university professional qualification.
Statutory accreditation
This type of accreditation is where a statutory body must approve a course of study in order for a graduate to practise in that profession.
Membership
Professional bodies or associations are representative organisations of professions that provide membership and other career development support to its members. Many professional bodies offer membership opportunities for students and new graduates with benefits such as career advice, networking within the profession and access to resources not available through the university. The aim of these benefits is to assist with your transition from university into the profession.
Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting
Current course accreditations and information about membership and development opportunities for students and graduates.
CPA Australia
Membership and opportunities
- Students and graduates eligible to enrol in the CPA Australia Network
Visit the CPA Australia website
Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
Membership and opportunities
- Students eligible for membership category: Student
Visit the Institute of Public Accountants website
Admissions
An Australian bachelor degree or equivalent, or higher level qualification, in any discipline from a recognised tertiary institution.
If you do not meet the above entry requirement for the Graduate Certificate you may be considered if you have a minimum of 5 years full-time equivalent work experience. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV).
You must have successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Masters degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in any discipline.
You may also be considered if you have a minimum of 5 years full-time equivalent work experience. Applicants will be required to submit a curriculum vitae (CV).
Entry requirements
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathway options
The Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting is a pathway to the Master of Professional Accounting or the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension).
If you wish to progress to the Master of Professional Accounting, upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting you will be admitted to the Master degree with exemptions from the four business enabling courses and the four courses completed in the Graduate Certificate, leaving a further eight discipline courses or electives to complete.
If you wish to progress to the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension), upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting you will be admitted to the Master degree with exemptions from the four courses completed in the Graduate Certificate, leaving a further 12 core accounting courses to complete.
When you successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accounting you are guaranteed entry into the Master of Professional Accounting or Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Australia Extension) with 1 semester of advanced standing (equivalent to 48 credit points).
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT postgraduate programs.
Fees
2020 indicative fees
Full-fee places: AU$14,880.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$308 maximum fee for 2020.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amount quoted is the 2020 total program tuition fee, and is based on a total annual load of 48 credit points. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or the Department of Human Services for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2020 is $308.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2020 commencement is AU$19,200.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds. Learn more about RMIT Scholarships.