Gain core skills and specialist knowledge in business, accounting, finance, commercial law and taxation to prepare you for a career in accountancy.
The MProfAcctg is a professional coursework masters programme that will provide you with the academic preparation necessary to qualify as a chartered accountant or certified practising accountant. This programme is recognised by CAANZ, CPA Australia, ACCA and CIMA.
In addition to specialised accounting and related courses, the MProfAcctg also includes a range of core business courses and a professional development module, as well as an industry-linked capstone project, giving you the transferable skills and knowledge to excel in the business world after graduating.
Duration
Full-time: 15 months
Next start date
2024 Quarter Four – 23 September
2025 Quarter Two – 31 March
Points
180 points over 15 months
Fees
The estimated total programme fees are listed below.
| Programme | Points | Domestic | International | Student Services Fee ($8.88 per point) |
| Master of Professional Accounting (MProfAcctg) | 180 | $29,842.20* | $71,120.01 (Q4 2024)* $73,010.40 (Q2 2025)* |
$1,065.60 |
*Please note:
- These fees are indicative estimates only based on 2024 fees.
- Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs.
- For programmes that are studied across more than one academic year, it is likely the fees will increase each year.
- Course fees will be confirmed upon enrolment.
Entry requirements
All our Business Masters degrees are pre-experience coursework programmes. This means that applicants require little or no work experience to gain entrance into these programmes.
To gain entry you will need to have completed a bachelors degree from a recognised university with the equivalent of at least a New Zealand B average in the most advanced courses. This can be either a degree in business* or a non-business degree in a relevant discipline such as the arts, engineering, technology or science.
In assessing your application we will take into account the ranking of the institution at which you completed your bachelors degree as well as the grades achieved in the relevant subjects. For a list of indicative equivalent entry scores by country, please see the Entry scores table below.
English requirements
Our Business Masters programmes are taught entirely in English. You must therefore be able to understand, speak and write English fluently. To be eligible for entrance, international students must achieve:
- Academic IELTS 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, or;
- TOEFL (paper-based) 575 (TWE 4.5), or;
- TOEFL (internet-based) 90 (written 21), or;
- Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes (FCertEAP) B-, or;
- English Pathway for Postgraduate Studies (EPPS) B-;
- PTE Academic 58, with no PTE communicative skills score below 50.
If your English does not meet the required standard, our English Language Academy offers the following courses:
- For students who need to increase their English IELTS score by 0.5: English Pathway for Postgraduate Studies (EPPS)
- For students who need to increase their English IELTS score by 1.0: Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes (FCertEAP)
Entry scores
The table below lists indicative equivalent entry scores by country.
| Country | Entry score |
|---|---|
| Australia | Credit average |
| Brazil | 7.0/10 |
| Canada | 3.3/4.3 |
| Chile | 5.0/7 |
| China (211/985) | 75% |
| China (non-211/985) | 80-85% |
| Colombia | 3.5/5 |
| Denmark | 8.0/13 |
| France | 12.0/20.0 |
| Germany | 2.8/5 |
| Hong Kong | 3.0/4 |
| India | First Class |
| Indonesia | 3.0/4 |
| Iran | 14/20 |
| Israel | 65/100 |
| Italy | 80/110 |
| Country | Entry score |
|---|---|
| Japan | 70/100 |
| Korea | 3.0/4.5 |
| Kuwait | 3.0/4 |
| Malaysia | 3.0/4 |
| Netherlands | 7.0/10 |
| New Zealand | B average |
| Philippines | 85/100 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3.5/5 |
| Singapore | 3.5/5 |
| South Africa | 65-70/100 |
| Sri Lanka | 60-65/100 |
| Taiwan | 75/100 |
| Thailand | 3.0/4 |
| UK (Honours) | 2.1 |
| USA | 3.0/4 |
| Vietnam | 7.0/10 |
Note: These scores are indicative only and subject to review.
*Applicants who have completed advanced course(s) in an undergraduate degree which are considered substantially similar to courses in this programme will be required to complete substitute course(s). Advice will be provided to students on a case-by-case basis.
Entry scores
Please see the table below for information about indicative equivalent entry scores by country.
| Country | Entry score |
|---|---|
| Australia | Credit average |
| Brazil | 7.0/10 |
| Canada | 3.3/4.3 |
| Chile | 5.0/7 |
| China (211/985) | 75% |
| China (non-211/985) | 80-85% |
| Colombia | 3.5/5 |
| Denmark | 8.0/13 |
| France | 12.0/20.0 |
| Germany | 2.8/5 |
| Hong Kong | 3.0/4 |
| India | First Class |
| Indonesia | 3.0/4 |
| Iran | 14/20 |
| Israel | 65/100 |
| Italy | 80/110 |
| Japan | 70/100 |
| Korea | 3.0/4.5 |
| Kuwait | 3.0/4 |
| Malaysia | 3.0/4 |
| Netherlands | 7.0/10 |
| New Zealand | B average |
| Philippines | 85/100 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3.5/5 |
| Singapore | 3.5/5 |
| South Africa | 65-70/100 |
| Sri Lanka | 60-65/100 |
| Taiwan | 75/100 |
| Thailand | 3.0/4 |
| UK (Honours) | 2.1 |
| USA | 3.0/4 |
| Vietnam | 7.0/10 |
Note: These scores are indicative only and subject to review.
*Applicants who have completed advanced course(s) in an undergraduate degree which are considered substantially similar to courses in this programme will be required to complete substitute course(s). Advice will be provided to students on a case-by-case basis.
Scholarships
Business Masters scholarships are open to admitted students for our Master of Applied Finance, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Management, and Master of Professional Accounting programmes. Recipients are selected based on academic merit and a written statement covering career goals and motivation.
University of Auckland Business Masters Scholarships (International)
Supporting international students to gain the skills and knowledge required to launch a business career by completing a Master of Applied Finance, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Management, or Master of Professional Accounting degree at the University of Auckland Business School. A key objective is to enhance the diversity of the class profile.
- Tenure: Up to one year
- Amount: Up to $32,000 each
- Open to nationality: All nationalities
- Closing date: 18 January 2024 (April intake) 1 June 2023 (September intake)
- Further details: Visit this link for more information including how to apply
Key dates
The University of Auckland Graduate School of Management operates on a rolling admissions basis. This means that you can apply for entry into your chosen programme up to 12 months before the programme start date.
Late applications may be considered, subject to the availability of places.
Intake dates:
September 2024
- International students must apply by 1 July 2024
Programme structure
The MProfAcctg is a 15-month, 180-point programme studied over five quarters. You will study core business courses along with a set of specialised accounting and related courses.
You will also complete a professional development module as an important component of your degree. These will equip you with the professional skills that you will need to enhance your employability and success in the business world.
Quarter 1
- Managing People and Organisations
- Financial Accounting and Control
Quarter 2
- Financial Reporting and Accounting
- Economics and Business Analytics
Quarter 3
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Business Finance
- Strategic Management Accounting
Quarter 4
- Taxation for Business
- Auditing for Business
- Professional Development
Quarter 5
- Accounting Information Systems
- Capstone Project for MProfAcctg
Courses
You will develop a strong foundation in management, business analytics, financial reporting and economics through the core courses in this programme.
You will also gain advanced knowledge of a range of accounting principles in your specialised courses.
*Note: To progress into one of the specialisations in the third quarter, students must achieve a B- average in the four core courses. To continue into the advanced specialisations, students need a B average in their specialisation.
Core options
| Course code | Course title | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUSMGT 711 | Managing People and Organisations | 15 | Focuses on the foundations of organisational behaviour and managing within the workplace. Examines the challenges that managers and leaders face in managing people and organisations. |
| BUSMGT 712 | Principles of Business Analytics | 15 | Focuses on fact-based and data-driven decision making in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. Examines decision biases and tools to overcome decision making under VUCA. |
| BUSMGT 713 | Financial Reporting and Control | 15 | Focuses on essential accounting knowledge for effective resource allocation and for quantifying, assessing, and communicating information about the health of the enterprise. |
| BUSMGT 714 | Economics for Managers | 15 | Examines attributes and behaviours of consumers, firms, markets and institutions and their impacts on the macroeconomy. Focuses on the micro and macroeconomic aspects of market actors from a managerial perspective. |
Specialisation
| Course code | Course title | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUSMGT 731 | Financial Reporting and Accounting | 15 | Provides an overview of financial accounting principles within New Zealand and the understanding and application of New Zealand Financial Reporting Standards. Focuses on the role financial statements play in investment, analysis and contracting decisions. |
| BUSMGT 732 | Business Finance | 15 | Examines the functions of the markets for real and financial assets, and their valuation. Focuses on the various techniques that financial managers can create wealth for shareholders and stakeholders. |
| BUSMGT 707 | Professional Development | 15 | Develops key interpersonal strategies and communication skills to become an agile, reflective professional and to manage the professional self effectively and cooperatively in a range of business environments. Enhances the emerging manager’s ability to lead and influence others in both cross-cultural contexts and uncertainty. |
| BUSMGT 733 | Analysing Financial Statement | 15 | Focuses on the analysis of financial statements and the assessments of an organisation’s performance. Develops an understanding of appropriate tools and techniques used to measure and assess risk and value. |
| BUSMGT 735 | Management Accounting | 15 | Design and management of revenue and cost management systems. Analysis of budgets and standard, costing system, cost systems for decision-making and control, performance appraisal, and contemporary related issues. |
| BUSMGT 708 | Communicating Business Insights | 15 | Equips students with the ability to utilise data visualisation tools and techniques in crafting and adapting data communication strategies for different types of audiences. Develops critical evaluation of the presentation of data and the implications for ethical communication. |
Advanced specialisation
| Course code | Course title | Points | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUSMGT 734 | Strategic Management Accounting | 15 | Critically analyses the role of strategic management accounting in facilitating strategic decision making and sustainable value creation. Evaluates strategic cost management tools and techniques, budgetary control systems and performance measurement through an applied research project. |
| BUSACT 701 | Commercial and Corporate Law | 15 | Examines the impact of the law on decision making and management of an organisation. Develops the ability to identify legal requirements, issues and mechanisms critical to managing the risk/reward profile of the firm and achieving its strategic objectives. |
| BUSACT 702 | Accounting Information Systems | 15 | Examines the process of development and distribution of accounting information for decision making. Emphases will be on the role of accounting information, business processes, system mapping and documentation through data flow diagrams and flowcharts, transaction cycles, and control of risk. |
| BUSACT 703 | Taxation for Business | 15 | Provides an overview of the Income Tax Act and the Goods and Services Tax Act and how they are relevant to taxpayers. Topics covered include the nature of income, taxation of common types of income, the deduction and prohibition of various types of expenses, tax accounting issues, provisional tax, rebates, PAYE system, tax returns, and an introduction to GST. |
| BUSACT 704 | Auditing for Business | 15 | Provides an understanding of the audit of financial statements that lends support to their credibility. Emphases will be on the audit process, including the planning stage to the issuing of the audit opinion. |
| BUSACT 705 | Capstone Project for MProfAcctg | 15 | Provides opportunities to extend and integrate the understanding of theoretical and practical issues in accounting through a ‘real-world’ business case. Involves the assessment of risk, cost of capital, financial analysis of performance, forecasting, and the development of recommendations for change and/or improvement. |
Career prospects
The Master of Professional Accounting is designed to give you the skills and knowledge to launch a career in accountancy and related field. Graduates go on to find employment in a range of roles, including as auditors, business advisors, management accountants, policy advisors, systems accountants, tax specialists and more.
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