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.

Double degree options

You can also study Accounting in a double degree with Applied Innovation.

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, 100 hours
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

View co-major units

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

View minor units

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
Find more detail about elective units

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

The Bachelor of Accounting is professionally accredited through CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). Graduates of this program   are therefore eligible to apply for membership of these professional bodies and Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). Graduates  are eligible to receive a number of exemptions from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and from The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).The degree is also  accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. The alumni of AACSB accredited business schools are among the world’s most influential leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs impacting business, government, and non-profit sectors. Only the top six per cent of business schools worldwide are AACSB accredited.

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.

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