Bachelor of Accounting
Overview
3 years full time / 6.5 years part time
3 years
February, July
February, July, November
Accounting is a powerful tool used to transform numbers into real-world impact — and is in high demand across a range of industries.
Accredited by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ), this program gives you specialist knowledge in taxation, auditing, and corporate accounting, as well as sustainable business practices. Graduates leave with cutting-edge financial skills that pave the way to endless career options.
Whether you want to take charge as a Business Consultant or blaze your own trail in finance, the Bachelor of Accounting ensures you are ready to bring your expertise to the business landscape.
Career Pathways
Where will the Bachelor of Accounting take me?
Graduates of Melbourne Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Accounting will be eligible to apply for associate membership of CPA Australia.
- Assistant Accountant
- Accountant
- Financial Manager
- Business Sustainability Auditor
- Management Accountant
- Financial Consultant
- Business Consultant
- Auditor
- Entrepreneur
- Business Analyst
Study Pathways
On successful completion of this degree, you will be eligible for entry to our Master of Professional and Practising Accounting
Course Details
Delivery methods
Course delivery continues at Melbourne Polytechnic during the challenges of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation the world is facing right now. Our top priority remains the health, safety and well-being of our community.
Class Schedule
Mon - AM and PM
Tue - AM and PM
Wed - AM and PM
Thu - AM and PM
Fri - AM and PM
Assessment Methods
Assessment may include a combination of examinations, assignments, tests, group and individual reports and projects, essays, practical tasks, literature reviews, journals, presentations, interviews, case studies and class participation.
Units of Study
Credit points are a basic measure of student workload. All subjects are given a credit point value. Most subjects at Melbourne Polytechnic are 12 credit points. A normal full-time annual workload is 96 credit points. The academic year is divided into two main semesters; full-time students usually enrol in 48 credit points each semester, part-time students usually enrol in 24 credit points each semester or less.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Description | Year | Semester |
| BAC105 | ACCOUNTING FOR MANAGERS | Core | This subject introduces students to the concepts of accounting and management decision- making; and provides accounting and decision-making skills to apply in the business context. Students will develop knowledge of business analysis, financial planning, performance management and costing principles so as to make effective management decisions. This subject also introduces the regulatory framework, tax and ethics. | 1 | |
| BAC104 | BUSINESS ENQUIRY AND COMMUNICATION | Core | This subject provides an introduction to the principles of academic and business enquiry relevant to Accounting. The student will undertake an investigative process involving a research proposal culminating in a literature review presented in a report format. Students will develop academic and literacy skills required to undertake higher education studies with an emphasis on investigation, literacy and presenting information. | 1 | |
| BAC107 | FOUNDATIONS OF BUSINESS | Core | This subject provides an introduction to the key management concepts and core business practices. It covers the major functional areas of business, including management, marketing, accounting, finance, economics and information technology for today’s competitive business world. In addition, it introduces other important concepts such as ethics and social responsibility, forms of ownership, small business and entrepreneurship, and international business, as well as, latest trends in the economy, social networking, competition in the global marketplace and sustainability. | 1 | |
| BAC102 | FOUNDATIONS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | Core | The purpose of this subject is to introduce the field of information technology and its role within a business context. This includes how information technology (IT) supports business productivity with database systems and software applications, as well as the common terms and concepts. This subject also introduces global IT work solutions and considers the implications of these in shaping various organisations. | 1 | |
| BAC111 | INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS LAW | Core | The aim of this subject is to introduce students to the fundamentals of law in a business context. The subject introduces students to the framework of the Australian legal system and to the business structures operating in Australia and provides an overview of some of the major areas of the law that impact on commercial activities. The subject examines the Australian legal system, the way laws are made and areas of the law that are relevant to the operation of businesses including contracts, torts, consumer protection, competition law, insurance law, business entity law, business ownership and workplace law. | 1 | |
| BAC115 | QUANTITATIVE METHODS | Core | The aim of this unit is to introduce or to refresh student’s knowledge of fundamental mathematical and statistical techniques to adequately address business issues and decisions. This subject provides an overview of the principles and concepts of financial mathematics and business statistics. The mathematics covered in the subject is closely applied to business settings and issues and focuses on developing students’ skills in numeracy, problem solving, presenting data, and the use of business software and calculators. | 1 | |
| BAC113 | FUNDAMENTAL ECONOMICS | Core | This subject introduces the student to how the Australian and global economy impacts business decisions. Students will learn the core principles of micro and macroeconomic principles, models and policies. The student will apply this knowledge to gain an understanding of how economic influences frame and impact both local and global business. | 1 | |
| BAC103 | BUSINESS ACCOUNTING | Core | This subject introduces students to the knowledge of accounting processes from the recording of transactions in journals and ledgers to the preparation of financial statements using both manual and computerised accounting systems. In this subject, students will acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding of generally accepted accounting principles which govern the preparation, presentation and communication of accounting information. Students will prepare accounting information for both internal and external stakeholders using relevant information technology. | 1 | |
| BAC221 | BUSINESS FINANCE | Core | This purpose of this subject it to explore best practice approaches to the sources and use of funds to achieve long-term business goals while considering social and ethical factors. This includes the application and analysis of tools to determine and manage investment projects and strategies. | 2 | |
| BAC213 | CORPORATIONS LAW | Core | This subject introduces student to the theoretical and practical aspects of corporations and governance of corporations within the Australian legal system. | 2 | |
| BAC212 | MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING 1 | Core | The purpose of this subject is to provide organisations with internal financial and non-financial information required for the three functions of planning, controlling and decision making. This subject enables student to develop an understanding of the elements of cost and management accounting and the way in which accounting information is used in undertaking these functions within the context of a modern business organisation. The subject examines the nature and behaviour of product and service costing information and students should be able to apply their understanding of this to decision-making situations using both a quantitative and a qualitative approach and be aware of the impact business decisions have on the individual, the organisation and society | 2 | |
| BAC211 | ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS | Core | Accounting Information Systems are an essential component of today’s organisations as they support managers in planning and controlling operations, improve problem-solving and decision-making in organisations, and provide information for financial accounting reports and external financial reporting. This subject introduces students to the role of accounting information systems in organisations, transactions processing, business processes, information flows and information technology, systems design and development, internal control, audit procedures, ethics related to accounting information systems, risk and security (fraud minimisation) issues, database management systems, enterprise resource planning systems and e-commerce. This subject provides students with the practical skills and the assessment of identifying, evaluating and justifying the selection of a commercially available accounting information system software package suited to a small to medium sized business. | 2 | |
| BAC205 | Corporate Accounting | Core | This subject provides an introduction to corporate accounting, including Australian and international legislative and compliance frameworks. The subject will also examine the importance of corporate social responsibility and accountability in the accounting industry. | 2 | |
| BAC216 | MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING 2 | Core | The aim of this subject is to further develop the student’s understanding of basic cost and management accounting skills to include more advanced and contemporary performance management and control processes and practices such as budgetary control and behavioural issues, decentralization, responsibility accounting and performance reporting, transfer pricing, cost of quality, supply chain costing, customer profitability analysis, strategic performance management, employee incentive schemes, capital investment decision making and sustainability and environmental management accounting. The subject examines the nature and behaviour of performance measurement and management and students should be able to apply their understanding of this to decision making situations using both a quantitative and a qualitative approach and be aware of the impact business decisions have on the individual, the organisation and society. | 2 | |
| BACC205 | Corporate accounting | Core | This subject provides an introduction to corporate accounting, including Australian and international legislative and compliance frameworks. The subject will also examine the importance of corporate social responsibility and accountability in the accounting industry. | 2 | |
| BAC313 | Audit Theory and Assurance | Core | This subject will provide an overview of concepts and guidelines involved in conducting various types of audit. | 3 | |
| BAC318 | Taxation Law and Compliance | Core | Provides a legal framework and context for studies in accounting and provides the knowledge to make informed decisions in areas of Taxation Law and the Compliance issues impacting businesses and individuals. | 3 | |
| BAC301 | ADVANCED CORPORATE REPORTING | Core | This subject provides the student with a knowledge of contemporary financial accounting theory and academic research and how they contribute to the understanding of accounting practice. This subject provides the student with an understanding of some of the contemporary accounting issues associated with financial reporting such as accounting for foreign currency transactions, construction contracts, extractive industries, financial instruments, sustainability and social and environmental accounting, ethics and governance and integrated reporting. | 3 | |
| BAC319 | Investment Analysis and Portfolio | Elective | 3 | 2 |
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Fees & Costs
Fee-paying Places
| Per year | $13000 |
| Per semester | $6500 |
| Per year | $20800 |
| Per semester | $10400 |
When you are studying higher education courses you may qualify for FEE-HELP payments for part or all of your tuition fees. FEE-HELP loans do not cover materials costs.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1st of November. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Requirements
All Applicants All applicants are required to attend an interview.
Applicants with recent secondary education (within the past two years) Successful completion of Year 12 VCE or equivalent with no specified minimum ATAR score and a study score of at least 20 in any English.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study Successful completion of a VET diploma.
Applicants with higher education A complete or incomplete higher education qualification.
Applicants with work and life experience Relevant industry or life experience.
Higher Education Admissions Criteria
As well as the specific entry requirements above, Melbourne Polytechnic admits students on the basis of the following categories:
If you have already studied higher education: Y ou may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if your highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree.
If you have studied a VET course: You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if your highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a vocational education and training (VET) course.
If you have recent secondary education: You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if you are a recent secondary education student whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the past two years.
If you have work and life experience: You may meet the admissions criteria for higher education at Melbourne Polytechnic if you have work and life experience and left secondary education more than two years ago and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.
Academic: Australian Year 12 equivalency
English: Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band below 5.5, Pearson PTE Academic 50 overall with no individual communicative skill below 42, or Melbourne Polytechnic recognised equivalency.
Other: Full-time only
Next Steps
Melbourne Polytechnic is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your future studies.
Find out more about Melbourne Polytechnic’s commitment to admissions transparency.
Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
You may also be required to attend an interview to discuss your career plans, aptitude and understanding of your chosen course of study and the requirements of tertiary study. (This may be conducted face-to-face or by through a video conference call using Skype or other application).
During your interview, you may be asked to provide:
- Your CV outlining your relevant work and life skills and experience
- Any letters of reference from employers
- Documents relating to prior study including course transcripts and subject outlines from other Higher Education Providers if you wish to apply for credit
When we receive your application, the International Office will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your application and provide you additional instructions.
If you'd like to speak to one of our International Office staff directly, call 1300 635 276
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