Master of Professional Accounting Extended (MPAE) - MPA Extended

CRICOS code (International applicants): 065019G

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Program focus

The Master of Professional Accounting Extended is offered in order to cater for the strong demand of non degree (and non-accounting degree) holders to acquire professional accounting qualifications.

Professional accreditation

Graduates of this program will meet the educational entrance requirements of CPA Australia and The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA). This provides Associate membership of CPA Australia, eligibility to study the CPA professional exams and eligibility to study the ICAA professional exams.

We recommend that graduates in Accounting from an overseas university obtain a qualifications assessment from CPA Australia before applying for admission. In many cases, such graduates may be required to complete only 3 - 4 courses to achieve Associate membership. These can be studied through a Graduate Certificate in Business.

Local recognition (for overseas students):

For overseas candidates seeking membership of their home accounting bodies, full members of CPA Australia and/or ICAA are usually offered reciprocal membership. This is a fast track to become a qualified accountant in one's home country.

Program aims

The Master of Professional Accounting Extended will enable non-accounting university graduates and other approved applicants the opportunity to acquire an accounting qualification recognised by the Australian accounting professional bodies. The program comprises 16 courses.

Program objectives

Successful completion of the Master of Professional Accounting Extended should enable graduates to:

• prepare and analyse financial and management accounting reports

• audit financial records and statements and produce audit reports

• prepare taxation returns and advise clients on taxation issues

• comprehend and apply accounting theory to current accounting developments and problems

• understand and apply the principles of business finance and investment evaluation

• comprehend the legal framework within which businesses operate and apply this knowledge in addressing commercial legal problems.

Admission requirements

To gain admission into the program, applicants should satisfy one of the following admission requirement options:

Admission requirements option 1

Applicants must have successfully completed an accredited post year 12 qualification equivalent to at least two years full-time study provided that such qualification is accepted by the Director of Coursework Studies, as sufficient for admission to the program and is in accordance with the appropriate professional body guidelines:

Admission requirements option 2

Applicants must have completed a minimum of at least five years relevant work experience.

Applicants with overseas academic qualifications in accounting should write to either of the following professional bodies for an assessment of their qualifications (prior to applying for enrolment in the program):

Admission to the program will not be granted to persons who are members of or eligible for membership of CPA Australia or The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/EAP programs.

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

Program completion requirements

Students must maintain good standing in this program. Please refer to Section 2 of theAcademic Standing, Progression and Exclusion Policy.

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 6 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

For information technology requirements please refer to the minimum computing standards.

Exit points

A student who chooses not to complete or who does not maintain good standing in this program will be permitted to exit with a lesser qualification as set out below, provided they have met the requirements of that program.

• A student who completes all the requirements for the Master of Professional Accounting may, upon application, exit with that qualification.

• A student who successfully completes 8 Master of Professional Accounting courses may, upon application, exit with a Graduate Diploma of Business.

• A student who successfully completes any 4 courses for the Postgraduate Certificate in Business may, upon application, exit with that qualification.

Exemptions

As the Master of Professional Accounting Extended is a graduate conversion program, exemptions approved in the program do not automatically apply to other postgraduate programs offered by the USQ Faculty of Business and Law.

Candidates for the Master of Professional Accounting Extended may be eligible for up to a maximum total of 8 courses of exemptions.

Exemptions may be granted on the basis of equivalent postgraduate or undergraduate study completed at a recognised university.

However, the maximum number of exemptions that will be considered on the basis of undergraduate study is 4 courses.

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment pattern - Toowoomba campus
• Recommended enrolment pattern - Springfield campus

Recommended enrolment pattern - Toowoomba campus

Please refer to program structure. Students requiring assistance should contact the Senior Administration Officers (Student Support).

Recommended enrolment pattern - Springfield campus

Please refer to program structure. Students requiring assistance should contact the Senior Administration Officers (Student Support).