The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) at Kaplan Business School (KBS) is an AQF Level 9 postgraduate qualification designed to provide advanced accounting knowledge together with analytical, critical-thinking, corporate-governance and business skills.

Key benefits for international students include:

• Provides a comprehensive foundation in professional accounting principles and practices.
• Develops analytical and critical-thinking skills for accounting and business decisions.
• Covers financial accounting, management accounting, financial reporting, auditing, taxation, finance, economics and business law.
• Includes a dedicated Capstone subject focused on accounting and governance.
• Provides a pathway towards professional accounting accreditation.
• KBS states that the course has industry accreditation from ACCA, CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
• Successful graduates are eligible to apply for admission into professional programs offered by CPA Australia, CA ANZ and ACCA, subject to the professional body's own requirements.
• Students may also be able to receive credit towards KBS's Master of Business Administration or a related postgraduate qualification at another Australian higher education provider.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Master of Professional Accounting contains 12 core subjects.

The current core subjects are:

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

Prerequisites include:

• ACCM4200 requires ACCM4000.
• ACCM4300 requires ACCM4200.
• ACCM4400 requires ACCM4000.
• CLWM4100 requires ACCM4000.
• ACCM6000 must be completed in the final or penultimate trimester.

The programme's learning outcomes include the ability to:

• Apply professional accounting knowledge to contemporary accounting issues.
• Apply professional and analytical skills to accounting and business challenges.
• Evaluate accounting and business issues arising from strategic developments and regulation.
• Discuss contemporary accounting issues using relevant theories and frameworks.
• Analyse the impact of law and ethics on accounting practice.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current Master of Professional Accounting programme does not list separate named specialisations.

The main academic disciplines covered are:

• Financial accounting
• Management accounting
• Advanced financial accounting
• Financial reporting
• Auditing and assurance
• Accounting information systems
• Business and corporations law
• Taxation law
• Economics
• Finance
• Quantitative methods
• Accounting governance.

Programme Highlights

• Qualification: Master of Professional Accounting
• AQF level: 9
• CRICOS code: 063297A
• Standard duration: 1 year and 8 months
• Structure: 12 subjects
• All 12 subjects are core subjects
• Standard study period: 5 trimesters
• Six Australian campus locations
• Five listed start months
• Professional accounting curriculum
• Industry accreditation from ACCA, CPA Australia and CA ANZ
• Dedicated Accounting and Governance Capstone
• Accounting, taxation, auditing, finance and business-law coverage
• RPL available for eligible previous study.

Career Outcomes

KBS currently lists these career outcomes:

• Business risk manager
• External auditor and assurance specialist
• Financial analyst
• Insolvency and reconstruction specialist.

The programme can also prepare graduates for accounting and finance roles involving:

• Financial accounting
• Management accounting
• Financial reporting
• Auditing
• Taxation
• Corporate governance
• Financial analysis
• Risk management
• Accounting information systems.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current KBS programme information confirms the MPA as a 12-subject, 5-trimester master's programme.

Important current requirements and considerations include:

• Students must meet KBS academic and English-language requirements.
• Students may be eligible for RPL based on previous academic study.
• ACCM4200 requires prior completion of ACCM4000.
• ACCM4300 requires prior completion of ACCM4200.
• ACCM4400 requires ACCM4000.
• CLWM4100 requires ACCM4000.
• ACCM6000 must be completed in the final or penultimate trimester.
• Subject delivery can vary according to trimester and availability.
• International students must comply with applicable Australian Student visa study requirements.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study the MPA in Australia normally require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

KBS's application process is:

1. Submit the application and required documents.
2. Receive an Offer of Admission if successful.
3. Meet any conditions stated in the offer.
4. Accept the offer and make the required payment.
5. Receive the electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).
6. Use the eCoE when proceeding with the Australian Student visa application.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs currently requires Student visa applicants to:

• Be enrolled in an eligible Australian course.
• Hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment when the visa is decided.
• Maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meet applicable health and character requirements.
• Satisfy the Genuine Student requirement and other applicable visa criteria.