Accounting and Finance has been around forever, because of its significant role in any business in keeping track of its financial capabilities and cashflow. If you are good with money and numerical figures, accounting and finances will definitely prove to be interesting and will provide you with stable career opportunities after graduation.
Even though everything is going digital and automatized, accounting and financial professionals are very much in demand and it doesn’t seem like it will go obsolete anytime soon.
Down below, we guide you through everything you need to know about studying this field in Australia. We have also listed down the top 10 universities you can study accounting and finance in Australia.
What is Accounting and Finance?
The first question that you might have is, what do professionals in accounting and finances do? Well, the answer is pretty simple. They control and manage all the money aspects of a business. It is the backbone of every business and the modern world as well.
Accounting and finances are typically under the same umbrella, however there are certain differences between them. The main difference is that professionals in the field of finance are usually involved in planning and directing the financial transactions of the business while those in the field of accounting are involved in recording, analyzing and reporting on the transactions.
In other words, accounting is the management of financial information, whereas finance is the management of financial transactions or the money. Thus, these two disciplines go hand in hand.
Accounting and finance therefore plays a huge role in a business financial health, as it comprises the activities of keeping financial records, avoiding legal problems, making a budget, analyzing the company’s performance, external and internal communication and developing strategies to improve the business.
What Will You Study in an Accounting and Finance Degree?
A bachelor’s degree in Accounting and finance typically takes upto 3-4 years at any university if you take it up as a full-time student. Some of the interesting subjects you will be studying under this degree includes:
- Business Law
- Financial markets
- Auditing
- Economic principles
- Corporate finance
- Banking & investment
- Taxation
- Accounting information systems
- Industrial training (during final year)
What Are the Skills You Need to be an Accountant?
If you guessed mathematical skills as the no.1 skill to be successful in this field, you are correct to some extent. Being good at math, however, does not necessarily mean you have to be good with mental arithmetic. As long as you know you are skilled with statistics and data, you have nothing to worry about.
Apart from mathematical skills, listed below are some of the other key skills you should have to become a good accountant.
- Analytical skills
- An eye for detail
- General business knowledge
- Time management and organizational skills
- Communication skills
- IT Skills
- Up-to-date with legislative development
- Integrity and adaptability
What Are the Career Opportunities for Accounting and Finance Graduates?
A degree in accounting and finance will undoubtedly open your doors to a flexible and potentially profitable career. Here are some of the top career opportunities you can look forward to as an accounting and finance graduate.
- Controller
- Financial Manager
- Management Consultant
- Personal Financial Advisor
- Financial Analyst
- Treasury Analyst
- Accounting Manager
- Budget Analyst
- Senior Tax Analyst
- Accountant
- Auditor
General Entry Requirements for Accounting and Finance Degree
STPM | CGPA 3.0 and above |
A-level | • 9.5 where, A*(a*) = 5, A(a) = 5, B(b) = 4, C(c) = 3,D(d) = 2, E(e) = 1, U = 0. |
UEC | • aggregate score of 20 or less in 5 subjects excluding English, Chinese and Malay |
International Baccalaureate (IB) | • 29 |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for inquiries on other entry requirements, contact Excel Education.
General English Language Requirements for International Students
IELTS | 6.0 – 6.5 |
TOEFL IBT | 75 |
University Cambridge – CAE | 52 |
Pearson (PTE): | 50 |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for inquiries on other entry requirements, contact Excel Education.
Top 10 Universities to Study Accounting and Finance Degree in Australia
1. University of Melbourne
Course Details
University of Melbourne offers a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a major in accounting. It comprises 7 core commerce subjects and 11-13 majors and elective subjects. This degree also provides you with the opportunity to explore disciplines outside of commerce by offering 4-6 subjects from non-commerce disciplines.
With university of Melbourne’s bachelor of commerce with a major in accounting you will be eligible to apply for associate membership of:
- CPA Australia
- Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
All foundation level papers are exempted for ACCA accreditation as well.
Each body however has their own requirements to be fulfilled in order to obtain full membership.
Program | Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting |
Intake | February | July |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
2. The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Course Details
By enrolling in the bachelor of commerce program at UNSW, you can opt for either Accounting or Finance as your major. You can also choose two majors, meaning you can double major in both Accounting and Finance if you wish.
UNSW’s program allows you to gain professional recognition through membership qualifications with professional organizations such as:
- CPA Australia
- Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
Program | Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting/Finance |
Intake | February | May | September |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
3. The University of Sydney
Course Details
Just like the UNSW program, this program also gives you the option to major in either Accounting or both Accounting and Finance, if you choose them as your two majors.
University of Sydney’s program may give you membership or entry to the accreditation bodies listed below:
- CPA Australia
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
Program | Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting/Finance |
Intake | February | July |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
4. Monash University
Course Details
The structure of this degree consists of 4 parts involving, foundation business knowledge, specialist discipline knowledge, capstone experience, and free elective study. Upon successful completion of the course you can also opt for a 1 year honours program.
Monash University’s program may give you membership or entry to the accreditation bodies listed below:
- CPA Australia
- Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
| Program | Bachelor of Accounting |
| Intake | February | July |
| Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
| Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
5. University of Queensland
Course Details
This bachelor of commerce program also provides Accounting and Finance among the majors you can choose from. However, you can either choose Accounting or Finance and not both. So choose wisely, according to what you are interested in the most.
University of Queensland’s program may give you membership or entry to the accreditation bodies listed below:
Program | Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Accounting/Finance |
Intake | February | July |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
6. University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Course Details
In this program you have 9 foundation core units and a compulsory Accounting major. You can also choose from a second major, two sub-majors or one sub-major and 4 electives. This course also includes two full time industry internships (total 6 months) with two sponsoring employers.
UTS’s program may give you membership or entry to the accreditation bodies listed below:
- CPA Australia
- Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
Program | Bachelor of Accounting |
Intake | February | July | November |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
7. The University of Adelaide
Course details
This is a course with the perfect mix of both corporate-know-how and accounting expertise. With this program you also have the option to choose from the minors offered to diversify your skills.
The University of Adelaide’s program may give you membership or entry to the accreditation bodies listed below:
Program | Bachelor of Accounting and Corporate Finance |
Intake | February | July |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
8. Griffith University
Course Details
Griffith University’s Bachelor of Business offers you the option to choose two majors from the 20 majors available. So you can choose from Accounting and Finance if you want a mix of knowledge from both sectors. You do not need to decide on a major until your second year, giving you plenty of time to think about what you want to major in.
Griffith University’s program may give you membership or entry to the accreditation bodies listed below:
Program | Bachelor of Business with a major in Accounting (Extended) |
Intake | March | July | November |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
9. University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Course Details
University of Tasmania’s Bachelor of Business program is highly focused on getting first hand industrial experience with corporate internships and guest lecturers from all over the world. One of the unique things about this program is that you have the option to fast-track your studies with their accelerated study mode and complete the program in just 2 years. Please note that even though you accelerate your studies you will still graduate with the same qualification and accreditation.
UTAS’s program may give you membership or entry to the accreditation bodies listed below:
Program | Bachelor of Business with a major in Accounting |
Intake | February | July |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
10. Kaplan Business School (KBS)
In Kaplan Business School’s Bachelor of Business (Accounting) you will need to complete 8 subjects each year. You will also be undertaking two internship periods in your final year for additional first hand experience in the field.
Kaplan Business School’s program may give you membership or entry to the accreditation bodies listed below:
- CPA Australia
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
Program | Bachelor of Business (Accounting) |
Intake | March | July | November |
Duration | 3 Years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees | Contact Excel Education |
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