
Technology and data are creating an exciting new era for the accounting profession making now a great time to change the trajectory of your career and qualify as a professional accountant. Accounting is harnessing the power of the digital revolution that is fuelling technological trends such as cloud-based computing, artificial intelligence and robotic process automation to provide real-time finance tracking and fraud vulnerability assessments for organisations.
The Master of Professional Accounting is an ideal course for professionals seeking a career change into accounting and financial management.
You will develop professional skills sought after by industry, government and the accounting profession across accounting, finance, computer software applications, economics, statistics and business law. The Master of Professional Accounting will also allow you to choose to develop specialist skills in accounting systems and information assurance, forensic accounting, and financial data analytics meaning you will be well equipped to leverage artificial intelligence and cloud computing technologies to provide real-time finance tracking, cloud based accounting services and fraud risk assessments for today’s business world.
With a focus on providing practical skills, you will have opportunities throughout the course to gain hands-on experience with Microsoft Excel and Access, and the world-leading SAP enterprise system software. Plus, choose a professional internship in a professional workplace to contextualise your learning and expand your networks in the industry.
Designed with flexibility in mind to suit current professionals, you can choose between online or on-campus study options, and full-time and part-time modes. Take advantage of CQUni’s three terms across the year to study the Master of Professional Accounting, when and how it suits you.
If you are a domestic student, and your undergraduate degree is in business or related disciplines including management, marketing and human resources, you may be interested in our Master of Professional Accounting Accelerated. This 12-unit masters course can be studied in as little as 18 months of full-time study.

Discover more about your industry-accredited professional accounting degree, taught by an experienced teaching team and incorporating practical learning experiences and assessments that equip you with industry relevant skills. Click 'Explore Study Experience' for more information.

I found the flexibility of studying really a plus, so I can choose either one or two subjects each semester, depending on what's happening in the rest of my life. It's flexible to fit in with your lifestyle, rather than you fit in with the uni's lifestyle.
Emily Keehn
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, Masters of Professional Accounting
If you are seeking a career change and are interested in a career in accounting, this course is for you. It is ideal if you are interested in employment opportunities in accounting and financial management sectors. Potential fields of employment include financial accounting, management accounting, taxation auditing, teaching finance, banking management, administration, consulting or business advisory services.
The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below.
You must complete 16 units (96 credits):
The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.
You will study the 14 units listed below.
You will choose two electives from the units listed below.
To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and the term you will study each unit, check out our course planners.
The Master of Professional Accounting provides you with a degree that is accredited by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and meets the associate membership requirements of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). For eligibility criteria for membership of the Professional Bodies refer to these websites:
The Master of Professional Accounting provides you with a degree that is accredited by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and meets the associate membership requirements of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
For eligibility criteria for membership of the Professional Bodies refer to these websites:
The Master of Professional Accounting provides you with a degree that is accredited by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and meets the associate membership requirements of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
For eligibility criteria for membership of the Professional Bodies refer to these websites:
Students who have completed the Master of Professional Accounting may be eligible for exemptions in the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) professional qualification leading to the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation.
Choose an internship stream to gain real-world experience and contextualise your learning, while expanding your professional networks and enhancing your employability. Students will complete work placement for 10 consecutive weeks, working standard office hours for four days per week – completing approximately 320 hours in total. Students need to meet prerequisite requirements to undertake BUSN20020 Business Internship. Check the Handbook for more information.
If you have completed prior study relevant to units within this course, you may be eligible for credit for your past studies.
For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements.
While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies.
The Indicative First-Year Fee for a Full Fee Paying (FFP) Place is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (this is usually eight units studied over two terms) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the Cost per Unit spreadsheet available on our Understanding Course Fees webpage.
Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Fee estimates for the following year are expected to be available in September each year.
You may be eligible for FEE-HELP, an Australian Government loan scheme that helps eligible students pay their tuition fees. Provided you meet the FEE-HELP eligibility criteria, you can choose to use FEE-HELP to cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Learn more about paying for university or view the FEE-HELP information booklet on the Australian Government’s Study Assist website.
Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations.
Check what you need to do to apply to study this course.
Learn about the assessment of applications and everything you need to know about receiving and accepting an offer to study with CQU.
Use the Apply button below to access our Apply Online portal and start your application.
CQUniversity Australia is a trading name of Central Queensland University
ABN: 39 181 103 288
RTO Code: 40939
CRICOS: 00219C
TEQSA: PRV12073