Bachelor of Accounting/ Bachelor of Applied Innovation
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Develop the fundamental skills essential to evaluating, analysing and communicating the financial position of an organisation or individual with a Swinburne Bachelor of Accounting. Then take your studies to the next level and set yourself apart in the job market, by combining your qualification with a Swinburne Bachelor of Applied Innovation.
This double degree – unique to Swinburne – enables you to build skills and knowledge in your preferred field while growing your abilities to develop transformative solutions to the complex challenges your sector faces today and tomorrow.
You’ll learn the core areas of financial accounting, management accounting, finance, tax and auditing, economics and company law, and build skills in communication, presentation, critical analysis and group work.
On top of this, the Bachelor of Applied Innovation provides the analytical and strategic thinking, human understanding and future-focused problem-solving that supports business growth. Work on real-world problems with students from other disciplines, grow your creative confidence and hone your leadership potential. Work toward a better future shaped by innovative ideas - all in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment led by specialist academic teams.
Bring your passion for accounting to life in commerce, industry, public sector, finance or business roles, or leverage your newfound ability to transform businesses and society. You’ll do this as an innovation consultant, innovation lead, change analyst or transformation lead – just to name a few of the many opportunities available to you upon graduation.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 26 February 2024
- Semester 2 - 29 July 2024
VTAC codes
- 3400212501 (CSP)
- 3400212503 (IFP)
Course details
- Course structure, career opportunities and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Accounting/ Bachelor of Applied Innovation requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Information for Decision Making | ACC10007 | 12.5 |
| Innovative Business Practice | BUS10012 | 12.5 |
| Economic Principles | ECO10004 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Business Information Systems | INF10003 | 12.5 |
| Exploring Creativity and Innovation | INV10001 | 12.5 |
| Fundamentals of Innovation Practice | INV10002 | 12.5 |
| Innovation Sandpit | INV10003 | 12.5 |
| Responsible Innovation Futures | INV10004 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Management | MGT10001 | 12.5 |
| Law of Commerce | LAW20019 | 12.5 |
| Industry Consulting Project * | BUS30009 | 12.5 |
| Advanced Innovative Business Practice * | BUS30024 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
In this Accounting major you’ll learn how to deliver insights that drive business outcomes while appreciating how the pursuit of profit and purpose are the foundations of future, sustainable businesses.
Gain an appreciation of what theories and methods develop your practical skills and use accounting technologies to evaluate, analyse and communicate financial information.
The major will prepare you for career opportunities in business advisory, company accounting, management accounting, financial management, financial information systems, tax and auditing.
Graduates with an Accounting 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).
To be eligible for the CPA program you must also complete unit LAW20019 Law of Commerce.
Students seeking membership with overseas professional accounting bodies may need to complete additional units.
If you are interested in accounting, you may also wish to consider Swinburne’s Bachelor of Accounting, or Bachelor of Accounting and Business Information Technology (Professional).
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Information Systems | ACC10008 | 12.5 |
| Financial Statistics | FIN10002 | 12.5 |
| Management Accounting for Planning and Control | ACC20007 | 12.5 |
| Company Accounting | ACC20013 | 12.5 |
| Financial Management * | FIN20014 | 12.5 |
| Taxation * | ACC30005 | 12.5 |
| Accounting Theory * | ACC30008 | 12.5 |
| Auditing * | ACC30010 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation for Challenges of Today | INV20001 | 12.5 |
| Innovation for the Future * | INV20002 | 12.5 |
| Applied Innovation Internship | INV20003 | 12.5 |
| Applied Innovation Studio A * | INV30001 | 25 |
| Applied Innovation Studio B * | INV30002 | 25 |
| Leadership and Facilitation of Innovation | INV30003 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
+
Other studies
4 units (50 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 50 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 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.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Business
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A | BUS20010 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B | BUS20011 | 25 |
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 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.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Business
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Business | BUS20010 | 25 |
A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- 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
Course 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 the 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
- Apply a series of thinking systems, creativity toolkits and innovation frameworks to design contextually-relevant solutions addressing local and global challenges in and outside their discipline
- Identify and articulate opportunities to innovate and create impact informed by user-centred research and/or data
- Adapt their discipline skillsets in new situations in response to complex and changing contexts, including interdisciplinary environments
- Facilitate and contribute to innovation teams that seek solutions to complex challenges, using inclusive collaboration practices to leverage different skills and perspectives
- Navigate commercial, human and technical requirements aided by prototyping and testing to deliver solutions that create value
- Communicate the value of experimentation, ideas and innovation with confidence in developing solutions to investors, potential partners, employers or other stakeholders
- Develop futures-focused innovations that integrate responsible social, technological and environmental factors
Career opportunities
Students with studies in Accounting find rewarding work in industry, commerce, the public sector, the financial industry or business consulting and public accounting. Pairing this with innovation capabilities roles may extend to Innovation Consultant, Innovation Lead, Innovation Analyst, Strategic Designer, Creative Producer, Start-up Founder, Human-Centred Researcher, Self-employed Entrepreneur, Product Manager, Transformation Lead, Innovation Strategist and Innovation Manager.
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).
Fees
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.