Master of Professional Accounting

Programme Overview

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA / AK3411) at AUT is a conversion master's degree designed for graduates holding a bachelor's degree in an unrelated discipline who want to transition into accounting. The programme equips students with core competencies in financial reporting, management accounting, taxation, commercial law, and auditing from a strategic management perspective.

Note: AUT's MPA is fully recognized by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and CPA Australia, fulfilling the academic requirements needed for professional accreditation.

Programme Pathways & Core Formats

The 180-point programme is delivered across three 15-week trimesters (12 teaching weeks + assessment block):

1. Core Taught Coursework (150 points): Ten compulsory 15-credit modules covering core accounting, finance, taxation, law, and economics.
2. Applied Capstone Project (30 points): An integrative professional project (ACCT995 Applied Professional Accounting Project) applying technical accounting principles to complex real-world business scenarios.

What You'll Study

The curriculum consists of 11 compulsory courses covering key technical and business domains:

• Technical Accounting & Assurance:
  • Financial Accounting (ACCT860) & Advanced Financial Accounting (ACCT865)
  • Management Accounting for Business (ACCT861) & Strategic Management Accounting (ACCT866)
  • Taxation in New Zealand (ACCT862)
  • Auditing (ACCT960)
• Business, Legal & Quantitative Foundations:
  • Accounting Information Systems (ACCT863)
  • Finance for Accountants (ACCT867)
  • Accounting Regulations and Business Law (ACCT869)
  • Economics and Quantitative Methods (ECON863)
• Applied Capstone:
  • Applied Professional Accounting Project (ACCT995) – 30 points

Why Choose This Programme?

• Professional Body Recognition: Fulfills academic entry requirements to join CA ANZ and CPA Australia upon graduation.
• Fast-Track Career Transition: Complete a Level 9 master's degree in as little as 12 months without prior commerce or accounting study.
• City Campus Business School: Study in downtown Auckland with direct proximity to corporate financial centers and networking opportunities.

Entry Requirements

• Academic Minimums: A completed bachelor's degree from a recognized university in any discipline with a minimum B- grade average in final-year courses.
• Pre-experience Nature: Does not require previous work experience or prior undergraduate accounting courses.
• Selection Process: Applications are evaluated individually based on degree equivalency and academic transcripts.
• Language Requirement: Academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall (all sub-bands 6.0+) or approved equivalent.