Top 200 worldwide for accounting and finance
#2 business school in Victoria for career impact
Top 3 business school in Victoria
Why choose professional accounting at Deakin
Advance your career with an industry-aligned degree that equips you to practise as a qualified accountant while boosting your capability with extended expertise. Study at the #1 university in the state of Victoria for graduate business employment, and build required skills and knowledge across financial reporting, management accounting, auditing, taxation, finance and business law. Extend your learning in accounting and finance through elective units or choose from business specialisations, ranging from AI for business to property and real estate.
Through applied and industry-informed learning, including optional work-integrated learning experiences, you will strengthen your ability to interpret complex financial information, support decision-making and contribute to organisational performance. Graduate with advanced accounting capability, ready to progress towards professional accreditation and pursue roles across accounting, finance and business advisory.
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Proven employability
Study at the #1 Victorian university for career impact and build skills aligned with global industry demand.
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Professional accreditation pathways
Build the academic knowledge required to pursue CPA Australia, CA ANZ, IPA and ACCA pathways, supporting your progression as a professional accountant.
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Advanced accounting expertise
Develop capability across financial reporting, auditing, taxation, analytics and business law to support complex financial decision-making.
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Flexible postgraduate study
Study online while continuing to build professional experience and advance your career.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build advanced accounting expertise, preparing you for senior accounting, advisory and financial leadership roles across industries and sectors.
Management accountant
Analyse financial performance, prepare budgets, forecasts and management reports. Advise leaders on costs, risks and opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability and business performance.
- $115k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 8.4%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4/5
Job satisfaction
Financial accountant
Prepare financial statements, maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations. Analyse financial data to support reporting, budgeting and business decisions.
- $110k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 8.4%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 3.7/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Business or financial analyst
- Taxation consultant
- Risk and compliance manager
- Corporate governance officer
“The course is fantastic, providing a great entry point into the field of accounting. Deakin has provided me some of the best learning experiences I have ever had.”
JohnMaster of Professional Accounting
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of Professional Accounting?
Over two years, you will progress from foundational accounting knowledge to advanced professional practice, building expertise across accounting, regulation and analytics. You will graduate with advanced capability to interpret complex financial data and contribute to strategic business decisions.
Build core accounting and financial knowledge
Understand financial reporting and management accounting
Build capability in analysing financial performance and supporting organisational decisions.
Develop finance and analytical skills
Learn financial methods and data analysis to support evidence-based decision-making.
Explore regulatory and legal frameworks
Study taxation and business law that underpin professional accounting practice.
Advance and apply professional accounting expertise
Extend into advanced accounting practice
Explore auditing, advanced accounting principles and professional research.
Build analytics and systems capability
Develop expertise in accounting systems, analytics and data-driven decision-making.
Apply learning in practice
Undertake applied or work-integrated learning experiences to strengthen professional capability.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Professional Accounting, you must pass 8, 12 or 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Foundational
Intermediate
Advanced
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.
3For 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 Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) program.
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5 credit point microcredentials) to earn up to 1 credit point of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. For more information, visit the Deakin stackable short course options.
The remaining 4 credit points may be selected from a range of postgraduate level study options including:
Recommended elective units^ that extend specific accounting and financial knowledge (subject to availability)
Other postgraduate units, including Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units, offered by the University (subject to availability)
Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials)
Any unit listed in the Postgraduate business specialisations
The following electives are strongly recommended for Master of Professional Accounting students seeking to extend specific accounting-related knowledge and employability skills in areas of sustainability and client analysis.
^Recommended electives:
Recommended WIL electives that can be studied to extend professional development and general employability skills:
Professional recognition
The course team and teaching staff have well-established links with relevant professional bodies both in Australia and overseas. Continuous effort is made to ensure the Master of Professional Accounting curriculum design and delivery keep abreast of industry needs and developments in the profession.
Deakin Business School holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide.
Completion of the appropriate selection of units within the Master of Professional Accounting grants eligibility for entry as an associate member of CPA Australia and meets the educational requirements for entry into the:
• CA program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
• Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
• Professional Accounting Program (PEP).
Upon completion of appropriate program units, it is also possible to receive exemptions from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) towards the ACCA qualification. Completion of this qualification will allow you to enter the Certified Management Accountants (CMA) study program.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. 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.
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning, collaborative online international learning arrangements or collaborative research training arrangements.
Placement can occur at any time, including during standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Students who have commenced before T1 2021 (course M720 Master of Professional Accounting), please refer to the 2020 handbook, or the handbook archives, for the relevant course structure.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Integrate advanced theoretical and technical knowledge of current and emerging accounting concepts and practices in contemporary business contexts |
| Use advanced communication skills to justify and communicate complex accounting concepts and ideas to both accountants and non-accountants |
| Select and apply appropriate digital technologies to find, use, manage and disseminate complex accounting and business data, information and ideas |
| Use a specialised set of high order cognitive and critical analysis skills expected of accounting professionals in contemporary business to evaluate, synthesise and justify complex ideas and recommendations |
| Develop solutions to real world and ill-defined problems faced by accounting professionals in business |
| Use acquired skills to undertake own work and learning and conduct independent research |
| Collaborate and communicate in teams to interpret decision-relevant information and develop accounting and business advice and ideas |
| Engage ethically, professionally and productively in a professional accounting and business context in light of changing global perspectives |
- Award granted
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- M742
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$35,000
for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer all or part of your tuition fees.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.