Higher Education

Master of Professional Accounting (MPA)


Quick Facts

Course Overview

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) degree is designed to develop ambitious professional accountants to engage in leadership on complex issues in all fields that touch financial information. Our graduates are equipped with the essential accounting knowledge and skills to initiate their global professional recognition.

MPA students develop advanced skills stemming from real-world experiences and international professional accreditation.

The MPA degree is structured to encompass financial accounting, data analytics, strategic and management field. MPA students develop the practical skills of auditing and assurance, managerial accounting, advanced financial reporting, data analytics, corporate laws and taxation.

Course Structure

The Master of Professional Accounting is a 1.5-year course, delivered over three trimesters on a full-time basis. To meet the requirements for graduation, all students must complete 12 core units successfully. There are no electives for this course.

Master of Professional Accounting (MPA)

Year 1
Year 2

8 core units
HI5001 Accounting for Business Decisions

 

HI5002 Finance for Business

 

HI5003 Economics for Business

 

HI5017 Managerial Accounting

 

HI5020 Corporate Accounting

 

HI6007 Statistics for Business Decisions


HI6027 Business and Corporate Law

 

HI6032 Leveraging IT for Business Advantage

4 core units

HI5000 Business Acumen

 

HI6025 Accounting Theory and Current Issues

 

HI6026 Audit, Assurance, and Compliance

 

HI6028 Taxation Theory, Practice and Law

Qualification

On successful completion of this course, students are awarded the Master of Professional Accounting. The course meets the Australian Qualifications Framework specifications for a Level 9 master degree.

Professional Accreditation

Holmes MPA is accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, CPA Australia and the Institute of Certified Management Accountants.

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Advanced Standing

Students may be able to shorten the length of this course by applying to transfer any recognised prior learning credits. The application will be assessed in consistence with the principles of Holmes’ Advanced Standing Policy.

Opportunities for Further Study

The MPA degree could open the doors for future studies, whether in research or expanding postgraduate skillset on management disciplines such as MBA, business intelligence or data analytics. Embarking on a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master by Research is the opportunity to join the academic leaders and make a significant contribution to the field of study. The MPA program caters to students with any background and career stage and is well-positioned in the increasingly competitive business environment.

Career Opportunities

Accounting is an excellent platform for a dynamic and prosperous business career. The MPA degree can lead to more strategic and leadership roles such as General Manager, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer.

Our MPA graduates are Australia’s best and brightest, with exceptional employability rates. The MPA program opens up several career opportunities, including:

  • Chief Financial/Accounting officer
  • External auditor and assurance specialist
  • Financial accountant
  • Financial analyst
  • Business risk manager
  • Internal auditor
  • Management accountant
  • Management consultant
  • Taxation specialist
  • Treasurer
  • Insolvency and reconstruction specialist
  • Investment advisor
  • Forensic accountant

Mode of Delivery

This course is delivered face-to-face on campus. Units are delivered in a lecture and tutorial format.

Assessment

The MPA program utilises various measures and metrics, ensuring the quality of the learning outcomes and that the graduate has satisfactorily completed any requirements for the awarding of the qualification. The MPA students receive continuous support and constructive feedback on assessments recognising the importance of achieving satisfactory learning outcomes.

Course Learning Outcomes

The graduates of the Master of Professional Accounting will be able to:

  1. Explain in detail the coherent body of knowledge, and research principles and methods, fundamental and contemporary to, and in the broader context of, the accounting and related disciplines.
  2. Apply research, critical thinking, information literacy, creative, evaluation, and complex problem-solving skills in the application of advanced theoretical and technical knowledge within the context of accounting and other practice and scholarship.
  3. Communicate effectively, with justification, in a range of contexts with professionals and non-professionals.
  4. Exercise high-level professional judgement and identify and respond to ethical issues in a range of contexts.
  5. Learn and work independently and collaboratively and reflect upon feedback to identify and enact self and group improvements.