Masters in Professional Accounting Online

A Masters in Professional Accounting (MPA) will qualify you to become an accountant. Courses are open to graduates from different backgrounds.

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A Masters in Professional Accounting (MPA) program will qualify you to become an accountant. The MPA is a postgraduate version of a Bachelor of Accounting degree and is open to graduates from different backgrounds.

A good program will satisfy the educational requirements for professional accreditation by bodies such as CPA Australia and the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Online MPA courses provide the flexibility to manage your time while experiencing interactive learning.

Overview

Master of Professional Accounting online programs are often used to switch careers into accounting. It's a conversion course that meets the educational requirements for professional accreditation. A complete program is 3-4 semesters (1.5-2 years) if you study full-time.

The standard entry requirement is a degree. Some programs also accept applicants with extensive relevant experience (e.g. 5+ years working in finance). If you lack a degree, consider doing a Graduate Certificate in Accounting as a pathway program. Entry requirements may be lower.

MPA programs often provide advanced standing for previous study and experience. You can get credit for accounting units you've completed before. Relevant professional experience can shorten programs from 2 years down to 1.5 years.

Master of Professional Accounting Degree

UNE - Master of Professional Accounting

The University of New England's MPA program allows students from non-accounting backgrounds to gain professional qualifications and apply for associate membership with professional accounting organisations. The course is open to graduates. Non-graduates may enter after completing UNE's Graduate Certificate in Accounting. It starts with foundational subjects in accounting and finance, moving towards more complex topics such as auditing and company law.

How Online Study Works

You can complete a Master of Professional Accounting program through 100% online study. Distance education programs allow you to study whenever it is convenient for you, at any time of day or night.

There's also flexibility around when you start a course or unit. Online universities have 3 to 6 study periods per year.

Distance learning is popular with mature-age students who are busy with work and/or family responsibilities. Typically, online learners study part-time. Online courses often allow students to study year-round, completing one unit at a time.

Why Get an MPA?

Professional accountant holding a newspaper

The obvious reason for getting a Master of Professional Accounting degree is that you want to become an accountant. An MPA is how people without an accounting bachelor degree meet education requirements for professional accreditation. But there are other reasons for getting an MPA.

  • You may want a career in financial management without being an accountant as such. An MPA prepares you for many different roles related to business finance.
  • Accountants can also extend their professional development by doing an MPA. Advanced standing means you don't have to repeat units you've done before and can instead focus on electives.

Accounting is an attractive profession because accountants are always in demand. It is rated as the top business job for employment. The role has also shifted to become a wide-ranging advisory discipline.

Career opportunities are available across fields. Accountants work as financial planners, investment advisers, market analysts, tax consultants, and advisers in mergers and acquisitions. They also work in corporate recovery and insolvency, treasury banking, and e-commerce.

Professional Accreditation

Online MPA degrees with Australian universities meet education requirements for accreditation with professional bodies. These bodies have different requirements, which may include further study or work experience.

  • As a general rule, there's a close match between the units offered in MPA programs and the subjects required for professional accreditation in Australia.
  • Leading professional bodies include CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Institute of Public Accountants.

Core subjects recognised by professional bodies include: accounting theory, corporate and management accounting, commercial law, auditing, corporations law, business information systems, economics, and finance.

Graduate Certificates and Diplomas

MPA programs typically contain graduate certificates and diplomas. You can enroll in the shorter courses and seamlessly continue studying for an MPA.

A Graduate Certificate in Accounting is a 4-unit (0.5 year) introductory course. It's a pathway to an MPA for people without a degree. It's also useful for accounting graduates who need to pick up a few extra units for professional accreditation.

A Graduate Diploma in Accounting is an 8-unit (1 year) course. It's similar to a graduate certificate but provides greater instruction in accounting principles and methods. You can also enroll in an MPA program and leave part-way through with qualification.

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