The Master of Accounting at Kaplan Business School (KBS) is an AQF Level 9 postgraduate accounting qualification that combines traditional accounting with business analytics, data analysis and contemporary management knowledge. KBS states that the programme is designed for students who want to develop professional accounting capabilities while also understanding the increasingly important role of analytics in accounting and business.

Key benefits include:

• Develops advanced knowledge of financial and management accounting.
• Covers financial reporting, auditing, taxation and business/corporations law.
• Integrates business analytics and quantitative methods into accounting.
• Develops knowledge of information systems used in accounting.
• Includes a final Accounting and Governance capstone.
• Provides elective opportunities in strategic management accounting, business analytics and internship.
• Has industry accreditation/recognition from CPA Australia, CA ANZ and ACCA.
• Successful graduates are eligible for admission into relevant professional programmes offered by CPA Australia, CA ANZ and ACCA, subject to the professional bodies' requirements

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme comprises 16 subjects: 13 core subjects and 3 electives.

Core subjects:

1. ACCM4000 – Financial Accounting
2. ACCM4100 – Management Accounting
3. ACCM4200 – Advanced Financial Accounting
4. ACCM4300 – Financial Reporting
5. ACCM4400 – Auditing and Assurance
6. ACCM6000 – Capstone: Accounting and Governance
7. CISM4000 – Information Systems in Accounting
8. CLWM4000 – Business and Corporations Law
9. CLWM4100 – Taxation Law
10. ECOM4000 – Economics
11. FINM4000 – Finance
12. FINM4100 – Analytics in Accounting and Finance
13. STAM4000 – Quantitative Methods.

Elective options currently published by KBS include:

• ACCM4500 – Strategic Management Accounting
• DATA4000 – Introduction to Business Analytics
• DATA4100 – Data Visualisation and Communication
• DATA4200 – Data Acquisition and Management
• DATA4300 – Data Security and Ethics
• DATA4400 – Data-driven Forecasting
• DATA4500 – Marketing and Social Media Analytics
• DATA4600 – Business Analytics Project Management
• DATA4800 – Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• DATA4900 – Innovation and Creativity in Business Analytics
• INTS4000 – Internship.

Important prerequisites include:

• ACCM4200 requires ACCM4000.
• ACCM4300 requires ACCM4200.
• ACCM4400 requires ACCM4000.
• CLWM4100 requires ACCM4000.
• FINM4100 has STAM4000 as a co-requisite.
• DATA4100 has STAM4000 as a co-requisite.
• DATA4200 requires DATA4000.
• DATA4400 requires STAM4000 and has DATA4100 as a co-requisite.
• DATA4500, DATA4600 and DATA4900 have DATA4000 as a co-requisite.
• DATA4800 requires STAM4000 and has DATA4100 as a co-requisite.
• ACCM6000 must be taken in the final or penultimate trimester.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Master of Accounting is not presented as a master's degree with separately named formal specialisations.

The main study areas are:

• Financial accounting
• Management accounting
• Advanced financial accounting
• Financial reporting
• Auditing and assurance
• Taxation
• Business and corporations law
• Finance
• Economics
• Accounting information systems
• Accounting and finance analytics
• Quantitative methods
• Strategic management accounting
• Business analytics
• Data visualisation
• Data management
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Data security and ethics
• Business analytics project management
• Internship/professional experience.

Programme Highlights

• Qualification: Master of Accounting
• AQF level: 9
• CRICOS: 078568D
• Standard duration: 2 years
• Standard structure: 16 subjects
• 6 trimesters
• 64 credit points
• 13 core subjects
• 3 electives
• Six Australian campus locations
• Five standard annual intake periods
• Industry accreditation/recognition involving CPA Australia, CA ANZ and ACCA.

KBS's learning outcomes include the ability to:

• Assess contemporary accounting issues and professional practices.
• Apply professional and analytical skills to accounting and business problems.
• Evaluate strategic developments and accounting regulation.
• Analyse contemporary accounting issues using relevant theories and frameworks.
• Analyse the impact of law and ethics on accounting practice.
• Apply strategic data-management techniques to business situations.

Career Outcomes

KBS specifically identifies the following career outcomes:

• Investigative accounting
• Strategic management
• Management consulting.

The 2026 KBS Student Guide additionally identifies potential career directions such as:

• Corporate accountant
• Strategic manager
• Management consultant
• Financial services leader.

The accounting and analytics curriculum can also support career directions involving:

• Financial accounting
• Management accounting
• Auditing and assurance
• Financial analysis
• Corporate accounting
• Accounting information systems
• Business analytics
• Strategic accounting
• Financial reporting
• Taxation.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current KBS course page confirms:

• CRICOS code 078568D
• AQF Level 9
• 2-year standard study option
• 16 subjects
• 13 core + 3 electives
• 6 trimesters
• March, May, July, September and November starts
• Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney locations. 

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500, to study the Master of Accounting in Australia.

KBS's application process requires students to:

1. Complete the KBS application.
2. Submit certified supporting documents.
3. Receive an Offer of Admission if successful.
4. Meet any conditions in the offer.
5. Accept the offer and complete the required payment.
6. Receive an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).
7. Use the eCoE to proceed with the Australian Student visa application.

KBS lists documents such as:

• Passport
• High-school certificates and transcripts
• English-language evidence where applicable
• Degree completion certificate and transcripts
• Work-experience information where applicable.

Under the current Australian Department of Home Affairs requirements, Student visa applicants must generally:

• Be enrolled in an eligible course.
• Hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment when the visa is decided.
• Maintain adequate Overseas Student Health Cover, unless exempt.
• Meet the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meet applicable health requirements.
• Meet applicable character requirements.
• Meet applicable financial-capacity requirements.
• Meet any applicable English-language requirement.
• Sign the Australian Values Statement where required.