Accounting is concerned with the provision of information for the management of economic resources by means of measurement, communication and interpretation of financial data; with the development of information systems; and with the financial accountability and governance of enterprises.

Accounting lies at the heart of economic exchange, whether conducted in physical or electronic markets. It enables students to comprehend many of the fundamental principles, processes and outcomes of business, thereby equipping students for a wide range of careers (such as chartered accounting, management consulting, and provision of financial services to general management). Graduates are employed not only as accountants, but also as entrepreneurs, entertainment promoters, treasurers, chief financial officers, business risk managers etc.

Studying Accounting at UNSW

The study of Accounting at UNSW is primarily through the School of Accounting.

The Master of Professional Accounting is offered for students with no or little prior study of Accounting. The program builds business skills with a focus on Accounting in the context of related business knowledge. This degree meets all the core curriculum requirements of CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia, and the Institute of Public Accountants (formerly the National Institute of Accountants). See Professional Recognition of Programs for Postgraduate Students.

A more focused study of Accounting is offered within the Master of Commerce. In this degree students may choose a Management Accounting specialisation, which is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Further study in this area to obtain a higher level of recognition is offered in the Master of Commerce (Extension) degree with a sub-specialisation on “Entity Planning and Performance”. Completion of these two streams enables students to cover most of the content of the CIMA syllabus. See Professional Recognition of Programs for Postgraduate Students.

More advanced programs are offered. The Master of Accounting and Business Information Technology is designed for students who wish to understand the latest thinking and related tools in accounting and information technology for the design and management of business information systems. The Master of Financial Analysis is for students seeking to further their careers as finance and accounting professionals by upgrading and developing their high level analytical skills.

Both the Master of Commerce and the Master of Professional Accounting are offered in a standard version (18 months if no exemptions granted) and an extended version (24 months if no exemptions granted). The advanced programs build on a relevant undergraduate major and are 12 months in length.

In the Master of Commerce (Extension) program an Accounting sub-specialisation is offered. This enables students to complete a specialisation in an area such as Finance and then a shorter specialisation in Accounting. The Accounting sub-specialisation provides a choice of courses that allows students to complement the courses in their main specialisation by selecting Accounting courses that are appropriate to their level of knowledge and career aspirations.