Major in 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 2010 brochure (PDF, 516KB).
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:
- CPA Australia
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia
- The National Institute of Accountants
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
Introductory Macroeconomics
Introductory Microeconomics
Quantitative Methods 1
Business Process Analysis
Accounting Reports and Analysis
Accounting Transations and Analysis
Second year subjects
Organisational Behaviour
Introductory Econometrics or Quantitative Methods 2
Cost Management
Intermediate Financial Accounting
Business Finance
Third year subjects
Financial Accounting
Enterprise Performance Management
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 |
Introductory Microeconomics* (compulsory) |
Quantitative Methods 1 * (compulsory) |
Principles of Business Law* (breadth) |
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Introductory Macroeconomics* (compulsory) |
Breadth e.g. Informatics 1: Practical Computing |
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Year 2 |
Organisational Behaviour* (compulsory) |
Quantitative Methods 2* / Introductory Econometrics* (compulsory) |
Breadth e.g. Shaping the Enterprise with ICT |
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Breadth e.g. Emerging Technologies for Transformation |
Corporate Law* (breadth) |
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Year 3 |
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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.