The Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) is a Level 9 master's programme designed particularly for graduates who want to move into accounting and finance, including students whose previous degree is in another discipline. NMIT states that no previous accounting study is required if the applicant meets the academic or relevant professional-experience requirements.

Key benefits include:

• A career-change pathway into professional accounting without completing a three-year undergraduate accounting degree.
• Practical learning through case studies, scenario-based tasks, workshops, interactive lectures, online activities and independent study.
• A compulsory 75-hour internship with a local organisation, providing practical workplace experience.
• A substantial applied research project in an area of the student's interest.
• Accreditation by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and CPA Australia. Successful graduates meet the academic requirements to apply for provisional membership with both bodies.
• Development of accounting, finance, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, communication, collaboration, research and business-ethics skills.

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no separate specialisations or majors publicly specified for this programme.

The programme's main academic disciplines are:

• Professional accounting
• Financial accounting
• Management accounting
• Taxation
• Audit and assurance
• Accounting information systems
• Business finance and economics
• Business law
• Applied accounting research

Programme Highlights

Important programme features include:

• NZQA-accredited Level 9 master's qualification.
• 180-credit programme.
• Three-semester structure.
• 75-hour industry internship.
• 45-credit applied research project.
• CA ANZ and CPA Australia accreditation.
• Academic requirements for provisional membership with CA ANZ and CPA Australia after successful completion.
• Open to graduates from disciplines other than accounting, subject to NMIT's entry requirements.
• Practical and applied learning designed around workplace accounting skills

Career Outcomes

Graduates can pursue accounting and business-related roles in both private and public-sector organisations.

NMIT identifies potential career areas including:

• Financial accounting
• Management accounting
• Auditing
• Taxation
• Banking
• Business consultancy
• Accounting technician and assistant accountant roles
• Professional accounting careers

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The Master of Professional Accounting is a new NMIT postgraduate qualification introduced for 2026. NMIT announced that the first cohort commenced in July 2026.

The programme has been accredited by CA ANZ and CPA Australia.

Students should be comfortable using digital applications and technologies at an advanced level. NMIT requires students to supply their own computing equipment for regular study and blended-learning activities. A laptop is preferred, and students need suitable software and broadband internet acc

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying this full-time master's programme in New Zealand, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand states that applicants need an offer of place from an approved education provider, sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or evidence of a scholarship, sufficient funds for living costs or an acceptable sponsor, and acceptable medical and travel insurance.ess.

Students may also need to purchase specialist textbooks and other course-related materials.

The programme requires academic research and writing skills, including APA 7 referencing and use of research databases. NMIT's Library Learner Services provides workshops and support.

Visa documentation

Students should be prepared to provide documents such as:

• Valid passport
• NMIT Offer of Place
• Evidence of tuition-fee payment or approved funding
• Evidence of living-cost funds/sponsorship
• Evidence of outward travel or funds for departure
• Medical and/or police documents where required
• Insurance evidence
• Academic and English-language evidence where relevant