Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting

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Key facts

Duration

1 year full-time or part-time equivalent

Locations

Key dates

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2024 close 23 June 2024

Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2024 close 27 October 2024

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Accountants are finance and information specialists, and the major decision-makers in a wide range of organisations. This course offers the opportunity to complement your overall management knowledge and expertise, or to establish a pathway to further studies towards membership of CPA Australia or entry into the CA Program.

Complex global markets and reporting requirements mean that never before has accounting been a more dynamic and exciting profession. Accountants are finance and information specialists who inform business decision making within a wide range of organisations.

This course provides pathways to professional accounting qualifications for graduates of any discipline. You’ll get the skills, technical knowledge and understanding required in accounting and finance, and their application within the broader world of business.

Among the areas covered are topics such as cost concepts and cost-volume-profit relationships, financial performance analysis, and contemporary approaches to measuring performance. You’ll gain an understanding of the regulatory and conceptual frameworks that underpin accounting for corporate entities and of the logic behind existing accounting rules.

You’ll explore complex areas of financial accounting, including accounting for income tax, impairments of assets, various assets and expenses, and foreign currency issues. In addition to the more technical areas of accounting, the fundamentals of accounting theory and of accounting for corporate social responsibility are introduced.

Deakin Business School's Work Integrated Learning program gives you the opportunity to enhance your job prospects with real world experience. In the finance unit you’ll have the opportunity to engage with business within the workplace and in doing so develop practical and analytical finance skills by participating in real-world projects.

You’ll develop analytical skills for making key financial management decisions, including time-value-of money and risk-return analytics. The unit will offer useful 'take-home' skills and knowledge relevant both if you are running (or are planning to run) your own business or for roles in managerial positions within large companies.

As an accounting graduate you may find employment in major international accounting firms, investment banks and virtually every area of business and government.

Award granted: Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting
Year: 2017 course information
Deakin code: M696
Level: Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
Approval status: This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition: The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Course structure

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, students must attain a total of 8 credit points, consisting of 6 credit points of core units and 2 credit points of elective units. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point.

From Trimester 3 2017:

To complete the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, students must attain a total of 8 credit points, consisting of 4 credit points of core units and 4 credit points of elective units. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point.

Core units

Elective units

Total units

Core units

^{1, 2, 4}

^{1, 2}

^{1, 2}

^{1, 2}

^{1, 2}

^{1, 2, 4}

From Trimester 3 2017:

^{1, 2, 4}

^{1, 2}

^{1, 2}

^{1, 2, 4}

Notes:
¹ Required by CPA Australia for Associate (foundation level) Membership.
² Required by the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand for entry to the CA Program.
³ For candidates who have completed an accredited degree in Australia, this unit may be taken as part of the CPA program. Other students must complete the unit before becoming an Associate Member of CPA Australia.
⁴ For candidates who would like to obtain exemptions to the ACCA program.

Elective units

Select 2 credit points of units from:

^{2, 3, 4}

^{2, 3, 4}

^{1, 2}

^{1, 2^}

or units from the Master of Professional Accounting, Master of International Finance and the Master of Financial Planning. Other postgraduate units may be taken subject to the approval of the Course Director.

From Trimester 3 2017:

Select 4 credit points of units from:

^{2, 3, 4}

^{1, 2}

^{2, 3, 4}

^{1, 2}

^{1, 2}

^{1, 2^}

^MPM701A is a Start Anytime unit.

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

Trimester 1 - March

Start date: March
Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud Campus

Trimester 2 - July

Start date: July
Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud Campus

Trimester 3 - November

Start date: November
Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud Campus

M696 was previously titled Graduate Diploma of Accounting.

Additional course information

Credit for prior learning into the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate postgraduate studies. There are negotiated credit for prior learning arrangements in place for CPA members.

Workload

As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Entry requirements

Recognition of prior learning

The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.

You can also refer to the Credit for Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

Commerce graduates will normally be precluded from one or more of the units and will be required to undertake substitute units.

Fees and scholarships

Fee information

Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

$27,000 for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.

Estimated tuition fee - (CSP)?

Not applicable

The tuition fees you pay will depend on the type of fee place you hold.

If you are enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are calculated depending on the units you choose.
If you are enrolled in a full fee paying place, your tuition fees are calculated depending on the course you choose.

In both cases, the ‘Estimated tuition fee’ is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Credit for Prior Learning you have.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The ‘Estimated tuition fee’ is calculated by adding together 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.

Learn more about fees and available payment options.

FEE-HELP calculator

What is FEE-HELP?

FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $51,550.

Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2024 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

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*Disclaimer

Deakin University (Deakin):

gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.

Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.

The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:

does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 10% Deakin alumni discount);
assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if recognition of prior learning is granted;
assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.

Scholarship options

A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.

Search or browse through our scholarships

Postgraduate bursary

If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.

Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

Apply now

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Create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, start your application, enter personal details, education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.

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Need more information on how to apply?

For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.

Entry pathways

Upon completing the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting you can progress to the Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Commerce, or Master of Professional Accounting/Master of Commerce.

Further study options

M720 Master of Professional Accounting
M755 Master of Commerce

Contact information

Faculty of Business and Law - student advisers
Tel 03 9244 6555
Email buslaw@deakin.edu.au

Careers

Career outcomes

As an accounting graduate you may find employment in major international accounting firms, investment banks and virtually every area of business and government.

Professional recognition

The Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting may provide eligibility to join in the programs of CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, the Institute of Public Accountants and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Completion of the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting and selecting the correct combination of units in one of our professionally accredited courses, provides the opportunity for students to be eligible to apply for admission to the:

CA Program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
Associate membership for the CPA Program, CPA Australia
IPA Program for the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) and
Exemptions may apply for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Students should carefully note the trimesters when units are offered to ensure that all required units can be completed in the appropriate time frame.

Students who wish to enter the CA, CPA programs or exemptions to the ACCA program are advised that it is their responsibility to ensure that they take the appropriate units required for entry.

Students who have completed prior undergraduate or graduate units in accounting or other core knowledge areas are advised to have their qualifications assessed by their preferred professional organisation to ensure they complete the correct units.

Please note: The eligibility of students for membership of any of the accounting accrediting bodies is subject to meeting the requirements of that body and that Deakin makes no representations that individuals will meet those requirements.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

Graduate Learning Outcome	Course Learning Outcome
Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities	Demonstrate conceptual knowledge of advanced accounting and techniques in auditing and financial management including applications to complex real-world problems.
Communication	Draft and present user- friendly reports that clarifies the merits and weaknesses of alternate solutions and makes defensible recommendations.
Digital literacy	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award.
Critical thinking	Identify potential alternative accounting and financial solutions and evaluate both financial and non-financial costs and benefits of such solutions.
Problem solving	Determine ways to resolve a firm’s financial and non-financial constraints through appropriate match with the theoretical solutions and develop a structured implementation plan.
Self-management	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award.
Teamwork	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award.
Global citizenship	Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award.