Bachelor of Accounting
Course handbook
On this page you will find:
General Information
Overview
Accounting is about more than numbers. It’s about how finances affect businesses and people’s lives. Swinburne's Bachelor of Accounting aims to develop the technical skills and personal traits you need to adapt and thrive in this rapidly evolving profession.
Study structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Accounting requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 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 | |
Financial Information for Decision Making
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ACC10007 |
Contemporary Management Principles
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MGT10009 |
Economics for Business Decision Making
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ECO10005 |
Business Digitalisation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
INF10024 |
Creative Mindset and Entrepreneurship
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
BUS10015 |
Law of Commerce
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
LAW20019 |
Sustainable Business Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
BUS30031 |
Business Consulting Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
BUS30032 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Financial Information Systems
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ACC10008 |
Financial Statistics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN10002 |
Management Accounting for Planning and Control
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ACC20007 |
Company Accounting
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ACC20013 |
Financial Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FIN20014 |
Auditing
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ACC30010 |
Taxation
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ACC30005 |
Accounting theory
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ACC30008 |
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however, they will be shown on your transcript of results.
Advertising
Animation
Biotechnology
Business Analysis
Business Analytics and Analysis
Cinema and Screen Studies
Climate and Social Justice
Computer Science
Creative Writing and Literature
Criminology
Data Analytics
Digital Advertising Technology
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Environmental Science
Environmental Sustainability
Ethics and Technology
Finance
Games and Interactivity
Global Studies
History
Human Resource Management
Indigenous Studies
Information Systems
Journalism
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Management
Marketing
Media Industries
Neuroscience
Perspectives on Globalisation
Philosophy
Politics and International Relations
Politics, Power and Technology
Professional and Creative Writing
Professional Writing and Editing
Psychology
Public Relations
Screen Production
Screen Studies and Popular Culture
Social Media
Space Technology
Advanced minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points in a field of study which builds upon your first major. Advanced minors can only be taken in conjunction with specific majors - more information will be available soon.
Advanced Finance
Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.
Accounting
Entrepreneurship
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Management
Managing Information Systems
Marketing
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for either 6 or 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Professional placement - Major (12 months) | |
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Business
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
BUS20010 |
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
Integrated Professional Placement B - Business
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
BUS20011 |
or | |
Professional placement - Minor (6 months) | |
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Business
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
BUS20010 |
These recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.
- ACC30009 Analysis for Competitive Advantage
- ECO20003 Managerial Economics and Strategy
- ECO20004 Macroeconomic Policy
- ECO30003 Data Analysis and Econometrics
- FIN30014 Financial Risk Management
- FIN30016 Management of Investment Portfolios
- FIN30020 Alternative Investments
- HRM20016 Dynamics of Diversity in Organisations
- HRM20017 Managing Workplace Relations
- INF30036 Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
- LAW20045 Finance Law
- MGT10010 Ethics of Innovation
- MGT20007 Organisational Behaviour
- MGT30005 Strategic Planning
Outcomes and course rules
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
define and integrate theoretical principles applicable to accounting and apply those principles in a range of practices
systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources in order to make informed judgements on options for innovatively solving a range of problems that arise in business contexts
formulate creative solutions that are fit for purpose and demonstrate cognisance of the impact of business decisions on environment, economy and society
coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas
communicate a range of business arguments by evaluating and implementing alternative communication strategies as appropriate to the audience
build on and continuously develop the intellectual independence to be critical and reflective learners, cognisant of new technologies
work collaboratively in groups.
Career opportunities
This course prepares graduates for careers in the accounting, investment and finance industries. Graduates may find employment with small or large companies worldwide, including private practices, government-owned entities and banks. Possible roles include graduate accountant, account manager, auditor, fund accounting officer, taxation agent, merchant banker, corporate treasurer, investment banker and financial adviser.
Professional recognition
Graduates with an Accounting or Accounting and Finance Major may be eligible to apply for membership of CPA Australia (CPAA), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Accounting students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:
eight [8] core units of study (100 credit points) and
eight [8] units of study from the Accounting major (100 credit points) and
eight [8] units of Secondary Studies (100 credit points) comprising of a second major, minor/s, or electives or
sixteen [16] units of study from the (Accounting and Financial Planning major) (200 credit points).
Students may not complete more than 125 credit points (normally 10 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.
Professional placements
Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. Students who undertake a 12 month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:
eight [8] units of study (100 credit points) and either
six [6] units of study comprising a minor and/or elective units (75 credit points) and
eight [8] units of study from the Accounting major (100 credit points) or
sixteen [16] units of study from the Accounting and Financial Planning major (200 credit points) and
four [4] units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points).
Students who elect to undertake a six month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5 credit points comprising:
eight [8] units of study (100 credit points) and either
eight [8] units of study from the Accounting major (100 credit points) and
seven [7] units of study comprising a minor and/or elective units (87.5 credit points) or
sixteen [16] units of study from the Accounting and Financial Planning major (200 credit points) and
two [2] units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (50 credit points).
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Accounting is 200 credit points (normally 16 units).
Admission criteria
Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.
Entry requirements
A. Applicants with recent secondary education (within past three years)
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
Guaranteed ATAR: if you receive an ATAR of 60 or higher and meet all the essential requirements for this course, you will be guaranteed an offer.
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history, including ATAR results, will be considered for entry into this course.
Selection rank adjustments
Selection ranks for this course will be calculated based on your ATAR with adjustments to overall study scores based on subjects studied, location of your home address, SEAS application, and participation In Swinburne's Early Leaders program. For further details about selection rank adjustments, see Admissions at Swinburne.
Subject Adjustments
A study score of 25 in any Business, any Information Technology, any Mathematics or Global Politics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 10 points.
Meeting course prerequisites
VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in any English (except EAL) or at least 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
ATAR profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in Semester 1 2024
ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds | ATAR Excluding adjustment factors |
Selection Rank ATAR + any adjustment factors |
---|---|---|
Highest rank to receive an offer | 97.3 | 98.25 |
Median rank to receive an offer | 63.77 | 68.47 |
Lowest rank to receive an offer | 59.75 | 62.7 |
B. Applicants with higher education study
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
STAT/Bridging courses
Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.
C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
STAT/Bridging courses
Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.
D. Applicants with work and life experience
Entire academic record
This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
STAT/Bridging courses
Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.
Student profile
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced in this course in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.
Semester 1, 2024 | ||
---|---|---|
Applicant background | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
(A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 26 | 17% |
(B) Vocational education and training (VET) study | 30 | 20% |
(C) Work and life experience (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) | 42 | 28% |
(D) Recent secondary education: | ||
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | N/P | N/P |
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were N/A considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) | N/A | N/A |
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was N/A not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) | <5 | <5 |
International students | 33 | 22% |
All students | 151 | 100% |
Notes:
“<5” – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.
Interested in the Bachelor of 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.