General Information

Overview

Study the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting to develop the technical, analytical, and creative skills needed for a successful career. Gain skills that help individuals and organisations understand how to use money and resources to the best of their advantage. This qualification builds on the Graduate Certificate, with a deeper dive into company reporting, managerial and financial accounting, and financial management.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting requires students to complete units of study to the value of 100 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year

  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)

  • See the course planner for an example degree structure.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Accounting Systems and Reporting
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ACC60008
Economics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ECO80001
Business Statistical Modelling
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
FIN60003
Corporations and Contract Law
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
LAW60003
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Company Auditing
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ACC80003
Managerial Accounting
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ACC80008
Financial Accounting and Theory
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ACC80019
Corporate Financial Management
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
FIN80005

Learning outcomes

The Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting course is designed for students who wish to obtain advanced knowledge and research skills in accounting and related areas of business. Students will learn to apply advanced conceptual and practical accounting knowledge as the course develops the various technical, practical, analytical and creative skills necessary to support professional and highly skilled work in the areas of accounting and finance. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting allows articulation into the Master of Professional Accounting.

At completion of the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, graduates should be able to:

  • apply coherent and advanced knowledge of accounting and business concepts in diverse contexts and applications using critical thinking
  • apply problem solving, design and decision making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence
  • communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective member or leader of a team
  • demonstrate integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, respect and a broad awareness of professional practices and cultural norms in a global and sustainable contex
  • apply accounting and business fundamentals to the analysis, design and operation of a business model using appropriate accounting and business methods and tools
  • reflect on and take responsibility for their own learning and self-management processes, and develop skills to review, reflect on and plan to improve their professional performance. 

Career opportunities

The Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting develops the analytical and creative skills necessary when dealing with accounting and finance issues within planning and decision making. The course focuses on advanced knowledge and skills in accounting and related areas of business. It covers technical, practical, analytical and creative skills necessary to support professional and highly skilled work in the areas of accounting, auditing and finance.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, students must complete 100 credit points comprising of:

  • Eight (8) core units of study (100 credit points)

Professional recognition

Graduates who hold an accounting qualification from a recognised overseas university or equivalent, upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting, may be eligible to apply for Associate membership of CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting is 50 credit points (normally four units)

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Interested in the Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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