Universities that are shaping the future of accounting in business education

According to the International Federation of Accountants, the profession will face significant changes in the next three decades to which professional organisations, their members, and educational institutions must respond.

These changes are three-fold; the evolution of increasingly sophisticated smart and digital technology; continued globalisation creating shifts in employment and issues in resolving local problems; and new forms of strict regulation to combat issues of tax avoidance, transfer pricing, and money laundering are major challenges for the profession.

Luckily for you, the prospective accountancy student, many universities are at the forefront of shaping the field ahead of its evolution.

Universities are offering high-ranking courses in shorter time-frames and at more affordable rates, allowing you to begin your practice as soon as possible.

Source: Curtin Business School

Meanwhile, other institutions offer the chance to gain an academic and professional qualification in just two years, streamlining the process between higher level learning and workforce integration.

If you want to be ahead of the curve, choose a Master of Professional Accounting at one of the following universities:

CURTIN BUSINESS SHOOL, CURTIN UNIVERSITY

The largest school at Curtin University in Western Australia is the Curtin Business School (CBS) – one of the most comprehensive business teaching facilities in Australia.

CBS has a strong international reputation for developing industry-ready professionals for the global business community.

Source: Curtin Business School

Curtin is the only Western Australian university providing CPA-certified tuition, offering students the opportunity to obtain a postgraduate qualification for the CPA Professional Programme through courses such as Professional Accounting Major (MCom).

The course comprises 16 units, completed in two stages. Midway through you can progress to the CPA Australia Extension stream and concurrently enrol in the professional level of the CPA Programme with CPA Australia.

This course is also shorter than standard at only two years, which can also be cut down to 1.5 years if you’re granted 100 points of credit for recognised learning. The main areas of study include corporation and taxation law, financial accounting and management accounting.

Studying at CBS will provide you with an advanced skillset. After graduation, you’ll be ready to move into an accounting career with a postgraduate qualification and will be well on your way to becoming a CPA.

UC BUSINESS SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY

Learning programmes at UC Business School, New Zealand help students meet the membership entry education requirements of professional accounting bodies such as Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ), ACCA and CPA Australia.

Source: UC Business School

The university ranks in the top 150 in the world for Accounting and Finance.

UC’s Bachelor of Commerce offers majors in Accounting and Accounting and Taxation, leading you to be a chartered accountant in Australia, New Zealand or overseas.

If you’re looking at postgraduate-level, UC offers an MCom in Accounting and a Master of Professional Accounting, a conversion-taught master’s qualification that provides graduates with the skills, knowledge and competencies to be a highly effective accountant in both domestic and international organisations.

The MPA is also part of the Executive Development Programmes, giving you the opportunity to explore new career pathways while you study. No prior experience in Commerce or Accounting is required and you can apply, whatever your background may be.

The UC Business School is placed within the top five percent of business schools worldwide through its accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, RMIT UNIVERSITY

RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia has a proud history of providing programmes that meet the evolving needs of students and industry, particularly in Business and Management education.

Source: RMIT University

The School of Accounting provides a range of high quality academic programmes, including a Master of Professional Accounting, that enable graduates to enter the accounting and wealth management professions.

You can also choose to fast track your career by selecting the Master of Professional Accounting with CPA Australia Extension, which integrates the content of the CPA Programme with the RMIT master’s programme.

Here, you’ll gain an academic and professional qualification in just two years. The course includes access  to teaching and learning support from the university’s leading professors, together with CPA Programme study guides while you prepare for the CPA Australia external examinations.

The School of Accounting focuses on innovative teaching, recognising global perspectives and addressing contemporary issues facing the business community. Upon graduation from RMIT, you will be professionally qualified and ready to cope with the ever-evolving industry.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International

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