Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Professional Accounting combines professional accounting knowledge with finance, business modelling, financial analysis and technology-related skills.
• The Finance specialisation develops practical and theoretical knowledge for finance-related careers and has links with industry partners and professional bodies, including CFA institutions.
• Students study accounting systems and reporting, financial accounting, business modelling and analysis, and technologies influencing financial services, including AI, blockchain and big data.
• The programme includes a Business Internship Project, providing an opportunity to apply accounting and business knowledge in a practical setting.
• Swinburne also offers a CA-integrated pathway in partnership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, allowing eligible students to work towards the CA qualification while completing the master's degree.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current Finance specialisation contains the following foundation and core components.

Foundation units:

• Accounting Systems and Reporting — ACC60008
• Economics — ECO80001
• Business Statistical Modelling — FIN60003
• Corporate Financial Management — FIN80005

Core units:

• Forensic Accounting and Investigation — ACC80021
• Company Auditing — ACC80003
• Managerial Accounting — ACC80008
• Taxation Principles and Planning — ACC80012
• Financial Accounting and Theory — ACC80019
• Accounting, Organisations and Society — ACC80020
• Corporations and Contract Law — LAW60003
• Accounting Capstone Mastery — ACC80022
• Business Internship Project — BUS80027

Finance specialisation:

FIN80005 Corporate Financial Management is treated as a required finance component, with students selecting three additional Finance units from:

• Business Statistical Modelling — FIN60003
• Elements of Financial Planning and Regulation — FIN60010
• Modern Finance Issues — FIN80001
• Data Analytics and Valuation Project — FIN80002
• Capital Markets — FIN80004
• Corporate Financial Management — FIN80005
• Derivatives and Risk Management — FIN80018.

Electives:

Students select two units from the available elective list, which currently includes:

• Frontiers in FinTech — FIN60006
• Applied Financial Services Project — FIN80021
• Innovative Finance 2.0: Blockchain, Quantum, and Cyber Security — FIN80029
• Financial Markets and Sustainability — FIN80030
• AI for Finance and Accounting — FIN80031
• Data Science for Business — INF80054.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme is the Master of Professional Accounting, with Finance as the selected specialisation.

The Finance component focuses on:

• Financial management
• Financial planning and regulation
• Modern finance
• Data analytics and valuation
• Capital markets
• Corporate finance
• Derivatives and risk management
• Business statistical modelling.

Programme Highlights

• 200-credit-point postgraduate accounting qualification.
• Finance specialisation combining accounting and finance.
• Practical finance subjects covering capital markets, corporate finance, valuation and risk management.
• Business Statistical Modelling and Data Analytics and Valuation Project provide quantitative and analytical components.
• Business Internship Project provides practical workplace-related learning.
• CA-integrated pathway with Chartered Accountants ANZ is available through Swinburne's Master of Professional Accounting arrangements.
• Professional accreditations/recognition associated with the programme include AACSB, CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants ANZ.
• Swinburne also lists professional accounting affiliations including ACCA and CIMA for the broader Master of Professional Accounting.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following example career roles for graduates of the Finance specialisation:

• Tax advisor/agent
• Share broker
• Financial analyst
• Auditor
• Management accountant
• Financial accountant.

The programme's broader accounting and finance content can also support roles involving:

• Financial analysis
• Corporate financial management
• Financial reporting
• Taxation
• Auditing
• Accounting
• Financial planning
• Investment and capital-market analysis
• Risk management.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: MA-PACC1.
• Current CRICOS code: 116706B.
• Current location: Hawthorn.
• Standard duration: 2 years full-time/equivalent part-time.
• Total course requirement: 200 credit points.
• International Student visa holders studying in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• The programme requires IELTS 6.5 overall with no individual band below 6.0, or an accepted equivalent.
• Swinburne's current course page states that credit transfer and RPL are assessed individually.
• The Finance specialisation should not be confused with the separate Financial Technologies specialisation.
• Course structure, unit availability, fees and scholarship conditions can be updated by Swinburne, so the offer letter and current course planner should be treated as the final source for an individual applicant.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this course in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500). Swinburne confirms that international students in Australia holding a Student visa must study full-time and on campus.

Key requirements include:

• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the CRICOS-registered course.
• Meeting the applicable Student visa English-language requirement or an exemption.
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Appropriate Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Providing identity and other documents requested by Home Affairs.
• Providing financial evidence where required under the applicable visa assessment arrangements.