Diploma of Accounting

Diploma of Accounting - FNS50222

VOCATIONAL

Extend your accounting skills in our simulated practice firm environment and explore a range of specialisations. 

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 6 months
Part-time 1 year
Fees:

Fee finder

*Free TAFE course

Next intake:
July
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

Expand your accounting knowledge and build specialist skills.

The Diploma of Accounting builds on the small business accounting and bookkeeping knowledge obtained from previous studies or work within this industry and introduces a range of corporate accounting specialisations designed to broaden your career prospects. 

Through your studies in this diploma, you’ll develop foundational skills in:

  • financial management
  • management accounting
  • corporate financial accounting
  • preparation of individual tax returns 
  • budgeting
  • accounting systems and internal controls
  • advanced spreadsheeting.

You will also gain the core employment skills you require to thrive in the workplace, including effective communication, building professional relationships, and ethical decision-making.

Study options for this diploma include full-time and part-time blended delivery.

Details

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Learning and teaching

In this diploma you will undertake structured learning activities and authentic assessments within a practice firm environment that simulates real-world job roles.

We offer a blended learning model with opportunities for both face-to-face and online classes. In addition to the simulated business environment, RMIT offers a variety of other learning and teaching approaches including seminars, workshops, presentations, group discussions and project work.

Assessment methods

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes supervised tests, reports, oral presentations, role plays, group projects and practical assignments.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

In addition to industry events, industry guest speakers are invited to speak about current issues and will provide you with an experienced perspective on study topics and work-simulated scenarios.

The Industry Advisory Committee includes representatives of major accounting and bookkeeping professional bodies (Association of Accounting Technicians, Institute of Certified Bookkeepers, Institute of Public Accountants, Chartered Accountants [Australia and New Zealand] and CPA Australia) as well as high-profile industry practitioners from a broad cross-section of small and large organisations.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this certificate and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

While undertaking this diploma, you can expect scheduled classes up to three days per week.

Days and hours of your study will vary according to your study load and the units you undertake.

This diploma comprises 11 subjects, including 6 core and 5 elective subjects.

Major areas of study include: 

  • leadership and ethics
  • taxation for individuals
  • financial management
  • budgeting and management accounting
  • corporate financial accounting
  • accounting systems and internal controls
  • advanced spreadsheeting.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Diploma of Accounting
Program code: C5424
National curriculum code: FNS50222
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Diploma of Accounting
City Campus
0.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
C5424
Location
City Campus
Duration
0.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Plan code
C5424
CRICOS
View plan

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

Designed for those who have already completed entry-level studies in accounting, completion of this diploma will equip you with specialised skills to advance your accounting career or set you up for further study. 

Those gaining employment at the conclusion of this diploma are likely to work as bookkeepers/BAS agents, assistant accountants, payroll officers or accounts clerks. 

To become an accredited accountant, you must successfully complete the Bachelor of Accounting.

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This qualification includes one unit that is part of an approved Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) course in Australian taxation law, which is required as part of the academic requirements for registration as a Tax Agent. Those seeking registration as a Tax Agent with the TPB should check current registration requirements with the TPB as these requirements are reviewed regularly. Learn more.

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

Succesful completion of the following units of competency (or equivalent):

  • FNSACC321 Process financial transactions and extract interim reports
  • FNSACC322 Administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers
  • FNSACC418 Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry
  • FNSACC421 Prepare financial reports (this unit is the equivalent version of BSBFIA401 Prepare financial reports)

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

Pathways

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Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

Explore the pathway finder
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This course offers pathway options. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, a formal pathway might be your way in.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the courses below.

For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.

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You can gain entry to this certificate from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study programs.

You can gain entry to this diploma from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study programs.

You can gain entry to this advanced diploma from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study programs.

Coming from a partner institution?

RMIT has pathway arrangements with many partner institutions around the world.

If your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT you may be able to receive credit and reduce the time it will take to complete your preferred RMIT program.

Find out if your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT

If you have qualifications from an institution that is not an RMIT partner, credit into your RMIT program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry to other RMIT vocational study or undergraduate programs.

Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT undergraduate programs.

Fees

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Free TAFE for priority courses

The Victorian Government is currently waiving tuition fees for this program for students who meet eligibility requirements for government subsidised places.

Visit Free TAFE for priority courses for further information on what this means and whether you may be eligible.

If you have any questions you can contact Study@RMIT.

The tuition fees below will apply if you are not receiving a Free TAFE fee waiver.

2023 fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2023 government subsidised place: AU$X6,000* per annum
  • 2023 full-fee place: AU$9,000* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$326 maximum fee for 2023.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

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 2023 is $326. 

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.

VET Student Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

How does a VET Student Loan work?

If your VET Student Loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.

Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your VETSL debt. You will start repaying your accumulated VETSL debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (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.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology advises that:

  • VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements; and
  • a VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.

For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.

VET Student Loan cap

If your program is eligible for the VET Student Loan scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference by the due date once you exceed the cap.

It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date. 

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

Sorry, this program is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information