Bachelor of Commerce

Accounting

In today’s business world an accountant is a strategic advisor and business partner who must possess good understanding of business issues and processes.  Students graduating from accounting studies usually focus on one or more of the following areas: financial accounting, managerial accounting and auditing and assurance services. Learn more about the Department of Accounting and Business Information Systems.

Download the Accounting 2009 brochure (PDF, 2.83MB).

Professional accreditation

To practise as a professional accountant in Australia, graduates are required to become a member of one of the three professional accounting bodies:

Membership requirements vary, but usually require students to have completed certain subjects in the Bachelor of Commerce. The University of Melbourne does not recommend one professional body. Instead students are encouraged to research prospective employers and compare their preference with the stated aims of the professional bodies. Full membership requirements may include relevant work experience and/or further study.

Major in Accounting

The minimal subject requirements for a major in accounting are listed below. To meet accreditation requirements, students will need to complete additional subjects specified by the professional body.

Click on a subject to view the subject listing in the Undergraduate Handbook, including information about prerequisite studies and assessment. These subjects are included in the sample course plan below.

First year subjects

316-101 Introductory Macroeconomics
316-102 Introductory Microeconomics
316-130 Quantitative Methods 1
306-106 Business Process Analysis
306-107 Accounting Reports and Analysis
306-108 Accounting Transations and Analysis

Second year subjects

325-201 Organisational Behaviour
316-205 Introductory Econometrics or 316-206 Quantitative Methods 2
306-201 Cost Management
306-202 Intermediate Financial Accounting
333-201 Business Finance

Third year subjects

306-301 Financial Accounting
306-302 Enterprise Performance Management
306-304 Auditing and Assurance Services

 

Sample course plan

Major in accounting and finance, with relevant subjects to pursue accounting accreditation.

Click on the subjects below to see a subject description in the Undergraduate Handbook.

Year 1
Sem 1

Introductory Microeconomics* (compulsory)

Quantitative Methods 1 * (compulsory)

Accounting Reports and Analysis*

Principles of Business Law* (breadth)


Sem 2

Introductory Macroeconomics* (compulsory)

Business Process Analysis*

Accounting Transactions and Analysis*

Breadth e.g. Critical Thinking with Data

Year 2
Sem 1

Organisational Behaviour* (compulsory)

Quantitative Methods 2* / Introductory Econometrics* (compulsory)

Cost Management*

Breadth e.g. Emerging Technologies for Work Transformation


Sem 2

Business Finance*

Intermediate Financial Accounting*

Breadth e.g. Shaping the Enterprise with ICT

Corporate Law* (breadth)

Year 3
Sem 1

Enterprise Performance Management*

Financial Accounting*

Auditing and Assurance Services*

Investments


Sem 2

Corporate Finance

Derivative Securities

Core program elective e.g. Managing Strategic Change

Taxation Law* (breadth)
Key
Compulsory subjects Accounting subjects *Subjects required for accounting accreditation
Breadth component Finance subjects Management subjects

Note: this course plan will not allow a student to pursue honours in either accounting or finance. A minimum of four level-3 subjects are required for entry into the honours program.

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