| AQF Level |
Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
077685G |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
If you already have a Bachelors degree in Accounting (or are otherwise eligible to enrol in the CPA Professional Program), then completion of the Master of Advanced Professional Accounting will assist in the completion of the CPA Australia Professional Program and also allow you to complete advanced units in financial and management accounting, corporate governance, audit, business law and finance.
Our graduates consistently rank higher in grade results in the CPA program than non-Macquarie graduates. We have the largest number of high distinctions every year at the annual CPA awards and the highest pass rate (over 92 per cent) as of July 2012.
In addition to offering the professional segments of CPA Australia, this course has been endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Our students will be exempted from 14 CIMA papers, effectively taking them to the final part of the CIMA qualification with only one subject to complete.
Our Master of Professional Accounting develops advanced professional skills in:
• strategic management accounting
• financial reporting and disclosure, global strategy and leadership
• ethics and governance.
Students can also conduct a research project and choose from a range of subjects such as forensic accounting, taxation, information systems in business and more.
Key features:
• supports and broadens professional studies: no other educational institution in Australia offers a similar degree
• meets the demands of the professional accounting, corporate governance and finance job markets
• emphasises communication, technical and research skills
• expands your skill set by offering six electives outside core CPA professional accounting units – for example, you can study research and advanced topics in international accounting and corporate governance
• students gain three qualifications upon completion: a postgraduate degree in accounting, membership of CPA Australia (subject to meeting the work experience requirements) and the opportunity to gain CIMA accreditation. |
| 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 advanced and integrated theoretical and technical knowledge in:
• Financial Accounting
• Management Accounting
• Corporate Governance
2. demonstrate expert and specialised technical skills in:
• Financial Accounting
• Management Accounting
• Corporate Governance
3. demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods as used in professional accounting practice.
4. apply tools strategically in the appraisal of emerging business issues
5. execute independent research and exercise professional judgement in solving complex accounting problems
6. demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment
7. demonstrate an awareness of emerging social, ethical and regulatory issues relevant to an accounting practitioner. |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
On completion of this program you will have acquired the relevant knowledge and skills required to work as a professional accountant (having completed all of CPA Australia professional exams), meeting the educational requirements for professional membership of CPA Australia. You will also have the research skills and practice to enable you to interpret and appraise recent developments in accounting as well as to make professional judgements and solve complex accounting problems.
You will obtain the requisite knowledge and skills through a variety of independent and collaborative activities completed across units in this program. You will attend and participate in seminars and workshops in which you will be expected to apply your advanced and integrated understanding of the core disciplines of accounting to practical and theoretical scenarios as well as interpret and appraise recent developments in accounting.
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.
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 the acquisition of knowledge and skills, research, practice, discussion and collaboration.
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; reflecting on discussion points; completing an independent research project; working collaboratively with students from this and other programs on a series of group activities; practice skills such as problem solving, professional judgement and presentation. You will receive feedback across this program from your fellow students, university staff and industry professionals.
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. You will develop your knowledge of research principles and methods ultimately completing an independent research project relating to current issues in accounting. The capstone unit ACC950 ‘Contemporary Accounting Practice’ will require you to think critically, ethically and strategically to solve business problems whilst integrating technical accounting knowledge and professional skills. This unit also provides an opportunity for you to further develop and consolidate your graduate capabilities at the end of the program.
You will be provided with a number of opportunities to engage with the accounting profession throughout the program including the participation of expert accountants as lecturers and 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.
This program offers you a fast-track route to the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) professional qualification. An agreement between Macquarie and CIMA (UK) provides the opportunity, in completing this program, for you to obtain exemptions from 14 CIMA subjects. On completing this program you will only need to complete one additional CIMA subject to attain your CIMA professional qualification. |
| 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. 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. ACCG927 'Current Issues in Accounting and Corporate Governance' has a substantial independent research project focusing on research principles, literature review and research argument.
• 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. You will complete a number of units in which the final grade awarded to you will be based on your performance in assessment tasks completed at Macquarie as well as your performance in the corresponding CPA Australia exams drafted, run and administered by CPA Australia.
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. 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. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
ACCREDITATION
The program allows students to gain two qualifications with several career pathways upon completion – a postgraduate degree in accounting and membership of CPA Australia (subject to meeting the work experience requirements). CPA Australia is a significant international professional qualification that unlocks new doors and opportunities to students
Career opportunities: Our graduates are professionally qualified accountants in industry and government, in roles within accounting, corporate governance and finance.
Potential employers include:
• accounting and consulting firms
• auditors
• business analyst firms
• financial institutions
• forensic accounting firms
• government organisations
• merchant bankers
• private sector firms
• stockbrokers
• superannuation advisers. |
| 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.
Registered annually as a CPA Australia Tuition provider. |
