| AQF Level |
Level 7 Bachelor Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
067851C |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
This accounting degree will prepare students to practice as an accountant. Students will learn the essential accounting knowledge and a range of business related skills in information technology, statistics, economics, commercial law and financial management. The program is accredited with the key professional accounting bodies including CPA Australia, the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, the Institute of Public Accountants and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1. demonstrate integrated theoretical and technical knowledge related to the core disciplines of professional accounting (K)
2. apply technical skills in the core disciplines of professional accounting (K)
3. critically analyse and evaluate professional accounting issues (T, I)
4. apply knowledge, skills and professional judgement in solving routine accounting problems (P, J)
5. demonstrate the ability to communicate knowledge and ideas in writing to accountants (C)
6. demonstrate an awareness of emerging social, ethical and regulatory issues relevant to an accounting practitioner (E, A). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
On completion of this program you will have acquired the relevant knowledge and skills required to work as an accountant and to commence a professional accounting qualification including the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CPA Australia programs.
You will obtain the requisite knowledge and skills through a variety of independent and collaborative activities completed across units in this program increasing in the level of difficulty and complexity as you progress through this program. You will attend and participate in lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops in which you will be expected to apply your understanding of the core disciplines of accounting to practical and theoretical scenarios and critically analyse and evaluate professional accounting issues.
Across the program you will present both verbally and in writing your understanding of the core disciplines of accounting (see assessment methods for further information). The program is structured to promote and encourage independent learning and reflective practice through acquisition of knowledge and skills, research, practice, discussion and collaboration.
All units in the program are supported by an online environment that provides access to resources such as lecture notes and recordings, readings, quizzes, discussion forums and assessment materials, and that facilitates communication between you and the teaching staff.
The learning outcomes associated with individual units have been aligned with program level learning outcomes and the Macquarie University graduate capabilities. You are expected to actively engage in your learning and work with lecturers, tutors and and fellow students to achieve the learning outcomes.
Together with your fellow students you will be directed to relevant materials and be provided with a set of tasks that you are expected to engage with. These tasks will include acquiring information from a variety of sources and includes: accessing and reading materials made available on the unit online learning management system, reading of texts and articles; review of case studies; preparation of a practice set workbook and professional portfolio; use and application of business software and technology; reflecting on discussion points; working collaboratively with students from this and other programs on a series of group activities; practicing skills such as problem solving, professional judgement and presenting.
Embedded in this program are a number of initiatives that develop your awareness of social, ethical and regulatory issues that you will need to reflect on in operating as a professional accountant. A unique feature of this program is the completion of ACCG315 ‘Accountants in the Profession’ undertaken as part of the University’s Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) initiative. This is a very important part of your formation as a professional accountant and is an opportunity for you to apply your capabilities in an authentic setting. Similarly, the People, Planet and Participation scheme of which PACE is one element means that you will, during your program of study, undertake a designated People unit and a designated Planet unit. In addition the inclusion of a Capstone unit in this program provides you with opportunities to integrate your knowledge and experiences from the whole program in preparation for the next stage of your career.
You will be provided with a number of opportunities to engage with the accounting profession during the program including the participation of expert accountants as guest lecturers in units as well as career and technical events hosted by the professional accounting bodies on and off campus. You will also participate in seminars and lectures that focus on the generic skills required by a professional accountant in the workplace. These activities ensure a learning environment in which you can reflect on and contextualise your skills and knowledge. You will have an opportunity to develop your research, written communication and publishing skills in completing assessment tasks and the option of presenting a submission to Scholaris, the eJournal of Accounting and Finance hosted by the Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance, Macquarie University. |
| Assessment |
Assessment is based on the submission of individual and group coursework. You will complete a variety of assessment tasks over the duration of the program including assessed coursework, class participation, final examination, essay, class test, quiz, presentation, assignment, case study or report culminating in the preparation of a professional portfolio of your work submitted during completion of the capstone unit, ACCG399 'Accounting in Context'. Clear standards and criteria for assessments, what is assessed and how it is assessed, are contained in each unit guide.
The coursework completed in this program, including a variety of assessment tasks, are designed to develop (formative) and assess (summative) your achievement of the program learning outcomes and will require you to integrate and exhibit your skills and knowledge acquired. For each unit you will complete between 3 and 4 assessment tasks and the unit guide will indicate the relationship between the assessment tasks and program learning outcomes.
Assessment tasks across the program may include the following:
• Written assessments in traditional academic format ranging from short essays to longer, self-directed research papers, literature reviews and annotated bibliographies.
• Case studies or reports, written documents outlining the results of a detailed analysis of a situation using empirical data and research. Case studies are used to assess critical thinking, analytical and research skill.
• Assignments, in a variety of formats such as the production of an Excel spreadsheet, the analysis of a mathematical problem or data set, or a brief written response to a topic question.
• Online quizzes designed to assess knowledge, skills or capabilities, and typically consisting of a series of questions requiring brief responses.
• Class participation, including engagement in tutorial discussions or online discussions.
• Written class tests, time limited assessments designed to assess a student’s knowledge or skills.
•Individual or group oral presentations which may incorporate presentation technologies or be accompanied by handouts.
• Final examination, invigilated assessments conducted at the end of session and designed to assess a student’s body of knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Feedback on your performance in completing an assessment task will be provided in a variety of formats in units across the program. Where there is a final examination in a core unit in this program you will be required to pass that final examination to pass the unit.
At times you will be required to make reference to research and practice across the core disciplines in accounting in completing assessment tasks and staff will be available at specified times during the sessions for individual consultation and advice. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. This program is also accredited with the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CPA Australia following a review of the content of the program, the quality of the teaching staff and graduates, as well as teaching, learning and assessment methods. An annual report is submitted and a detailed review is conducted (every 5 years) by both of the above-stated professional accounting bodies. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Accounting is the collection, measurement and communication of economic information which is used for planning, reporting and decision making. Accountants are employed in all areas of commerce, industry and government. This program provides an excellent foundation for a range of accounting-based careers. Examples include:
• project accountants
• business strategy (to assist organisations to reduce costs and streamline operations)
• corporate tax accountants
• credit controllers
• accounts receivable
• payroll officers
• insolvency
• management accountants
• financial accountants
• risk consulting/internal audit
• external audit
• IT audit
• financial analyst
• systems accountant
• tax consulting.
ACCREDITATION
The Bachelor of Commerce - Professional Accounting is recognised as satisfying tertiary educational requirements for entry into CPA Australia's CPA Professional program, the ICAA's CA program, the IPA's IPA program and the ACCA Professional level exams. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
Accredited with the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (every 5 years), CPA Australia (every 5 years), Institute of Public Accountants (as required) and The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (as required). |
