Charles Sturt University (CSU) has unveiled two new master-level accounting courses that will offer unique advantages to practicing accountants and career-changers alike.

 

The Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension) is designed for non-accounting graduates seeking to change career or formalise their industry experience with an accounting qualification.

 

The Master of Accounting Practice is for accounting graduates wanting to complete the CPA Program external examinations within an award structure while at the same time extend their knowledge and skills beyond that achieved through a typical undergraduate degree.

 

School of Accounting and Finance Professor Peter Eddey said the links with CPA Australia and the focus on real-world learning would give graduates an employment edge in a rewarding, but competitive, profession.

 

“These two courses have been created for graduates either working in the industry or seeking to join the industry at a professional level,” he said.

 

“With that in mind, both are available online through the University’s distance education program and have been designed with enough flexibility to be completed around existing work and family commitments. 

 

“The Master of Professional Accounting (CPA Extension) and the Master of Accounting Practice both provide a pathway to full membership of CPA Australia through inclusion of tuition for the professional level exams of the CPA Program.”

 

Professor Eddey said while both degrees include tuition for the CPA Program professional level, the difference between the degrees is that students in the MPA (CPA Extension) conclude their degree with the CPA Program segments while students in the Master of Accounting Practice start with the CPA Program segments and proceed to more advanced and specialised subjects.

 

“Experienced professional staff have been recruited to teach subjects designed to extend students’ knowledge and experience beyond the bachelor degree," he said.

 

“Holding advanced academic and professional qualifications is a mark of distinction valued by employers, and these courses provides both within one award structure.”

 

Professor Eddey said a key element of both courses was the focus on practical learning that would draw on students’ previous experiences and prepare them for the next stage of their career.

 

“These courses have been explicitly designed as practical learning platforms, based around case studies of real world events. The University consulted widely in the design of both courses to ensure they met the specific needs of employers and offered real-world skills that would help graduates stand out,” he said.