Course Overview

About This Course

Benefit from the best an MPA has to offer in foundational Accounting knowledge, alongside the option to enrol in the CPA Program through our combined specialisation with CPA Australia. The Master of Professional Accounting (Extension) follows the core structure of the Master of Professional Accounting as well as the option to take additional electives or CPA Program subjects. This provides you with the opportunity to complete additional electives to align with your interest or undertake the CPA Program, meaning you can graduate having completed the educational component of the CPA Program as well as with a Master of Professional Accounting. You'll gain a strong foundation in business with a clear accounting focus. In this postgraduate degree, you'll learn accounting principles, their applications and other relevant knowledge in economics, finance, information systems and law. Within our new combined specialisation with CPA Australia you'll receive additional support to undertake the CPA Program, meaning you graduate with all the educational requirements of a CPA that employers are looking for. With our close ties to industry, our fingers are on the pulse of graduate knowledge and skill requirements when it comes to getting a job.

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

Requirements

Recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) with a credit average as determined by the UNSW Postgraduate Coursework Entry Score Calculator.
This degree is designed for graduates with no or limited accounting studies. If you have studied a Bachelor of Accounting or completed an Accounting major, you are not advised to apply and enrol into this degree.
Applicants from non-211 universities in China wishing to study Postgraduate Coursework in the UNSW Business School must achieve a minimum overall average of 88 in their current university's grading system. This is equivalent to an 85% Australian scaled average using the entry calculator above.
English language requirements: You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency depending on your educational background and citizenship. Evidence can be provided via English language tests and university English courses, prior study in the medium of English, or other qualifications.
Recognition of Prior Learning: If you have prior studies at Bachelors' level or higher that are relevant to Accounting, you may be eligible for credit. A maximum of four courses, or 24 Units of Credit (UoC) may be awarded on the basis of complete Bachelor's level study and not all courses may be eligible for credit.
International students studying the Master of Professional Accounting (Extension) with CPA Australia must remain compliant with visa requirements and follow the Study Sequence for International Students.
International students may only enrol in the CPA Australia specialisation of this program in Term 1 or 2.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Auditor, Business Risk Manager, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Accountant, Financial Analyst, Insolvency and Reconstruction Specialist, Management Consultant, Treasurer. The degree meets the educational requirements of accounting bodies including CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), ACCA (Accounting) and Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Accreditation Details

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

CPA Australia / Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

CPA / CA ANZ / IPA

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units16 units

ACCT5930

Financial Accounting

Core course in foundational financial accounting.

ACCT5931

Sustainable Management Accounting

A course with a sustainability and analytics focus.

ACCT5942

Corporate Accounting and Regulation

Core course covering corporate accounting and regulatory frameworks.

ACCT5943

Advanced Financial Reporting

Core course in advanced financial reporting.

ACCT5996

Management Accounting and Business Analysis

Core course in management accounting and business analysis.

ECON5258

Introductory Economics and Data Analysis for Business Professionals

Core course covering economics and data analysis.

FINS5511

Corporate Finance

Core course in corporate finance.

TABL5543

Business and Company Law

Core course covering business and company law.

ACCT5908

Auditing and Assurance Services

Core course in auditing and assurance.

INFS5978

Accounting Information Systems

Core course in accounting information systems.

ACCT5935

CPA Ethics and Governance

CPA Australia specialisation course covering ethics and governance.

ACCT5936

CPA Financial Reporting

CPA Australia specialisation course in financial reporting.

ACCT5937

CPA Strategic Management Accounting

CPA Australia specialisation course in strategic management accounting.

ACCT5938

CPA Global Strategy and Leadership

CPA Australia specialisation course in global strategy and leadership.

ACCT5948

CPA Australia Taxation

CPA Australia specialisation course in taxation.

ACCT5947

CPA Digital Finance

CPA Australia specialisation course in digital finance.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Master of Professional Accounting and the Master of Professional Accounting (Extension)?

The Master of Professional Accounting (Extension) follows the core structure of the Master of Professional Accounting but allows you to complete a more comprehensive program by taking additional electives or CPA Program subjects. This means you can graduate having completed the educational component of the CPA Program as well as with a Master of Professional Accounting, which is not available in the standard MPA.

What is the CPA Pathway specialisation and how does it work?

The CPA Pathway specialisation is a combined specialisation with CPA Australia where UNSW academics teach CPA Program subjects, allowing you to graduate having completed the educational component of the CPA Program. This specialisation is available for domestic students across Term 1, 2 or 3, while international students may only enrol in Term 1 or 2. Please note that additional fees payable to CPA Australia are required for CPA Program exams, membership, and subject enrolment.

What are the indicative fees for this degree in 2026?

For domestic students, the 2026 indicative first year full fee is $42,000 and the indicative full fee to complete the degree is $86,000. For international students, the 2026 indicative first year full fee is $62,000 and the indicative full fee to complete the degree is $129,000. Students undertaking the CPA Australia combined specialisation will also need to pay additional CPA Australia membership and subject enrolment fees.

Who is this degree designed for?

This degree is designed for graduates with no or limited accounting studies who are seeking an enhanced career as an accountant. If you have studied a Bachelor of Accounting or completed an Accounting major, you are not advised to apply and enrol into this degree.

What professional accreditations does this degree meet?

The Master of Professional Accounting (Extension) meets the educational requirements of accounting bodies including CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), ACCA (Accounting), and Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). With the combined CPA Australia specialisation, you can graduate having completed all educational requirements of the CPA Program.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

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