Master of Accounting - 2019

This course is designed for applicants seeking advanced knowledge and expertise in accounting. It aims to provide you with the skill set required to successfully operate as a specialist in the accounting profession. This course is suitable for accounting graduates and accountants who wish to extend their knowledge and develop high level expertise across key fields of accounting.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1. be critical and creative scholars who:
   • produce innovative solutions to problems
   • apply research skills to business challenges
   • communicate effectively and perceptively
2. be responsible and effective global citizens who:
   • engage in an internationalised world
   • exhibit cross cultural competence
   • demonstrate ethical values
3. have a comprehensive understanding of their discipline and be able to provide discipline-based solutions relevant to the business, professional and public policy communities we serve
4. demonstrate judgement, integrity and creativity in the application of advanced knowledge and skills in accounting to existing and emerging events.

This degree is accredited by relevant Australian professional bodies. Refer to the Monash Business School professional recognitionprofessional recognition (https://www.monash.edu/business/future-students/graduate-study-options/after-you-graduate/professional-recognition) page.

The course is structured in three parts: Part A. Advanced preparatory studies, Part B. Mastery knowledge and Part C. Application studies. All students complete Part B. Depending upon prior qualifications, you may receive credit for Part A or Part C or a combination of the two.

Part A. Advanced preparatory studies

These studies will build upon your knowledge of the accounting discipline and the impact they have within organisations. The units provide you with necessary knowledge and skills to progress through this course.

Part B. Mastery knowledge

These studies draw on the best and current accounting practice to develop your capacity as a critical professional who is able to apply your knowledge of a specialisation to provide discipline-based solutions in complex commerce environments.

Part C. Application studies

These studies can contribute to a portfolio of professional development. You will be able to expand your knowledge and skills in accounting and related disciples by following one of two options available: coursework or research.

In order to undertake the research option, you will be required to achieve academic prerequisites and complete a formal interview process. If you are interested in the research option you should consult the course coordinator.

The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Advanced preparatory studies (24 points), Part B. Mastery knowledge (48 points). and Part C. Application studies (24 points).

• If you are admitted at entry level 1 you complete 96 points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C
• If you are admitted at entry level 2 you complete 72 points, comprising Parts B and C
• If you are admitted at entry level 3 you complete 48 points, comprising Part B

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies you may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-b6002.pdf) provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Part A. Advanced preparatory studies (24 points)

You must complete:

• ACF5904 Accounting information systems
• ACF5955 Management accounting
• ACF5956 Advanced financial accounting
• ACF5957 Auditing and assurance

Part B. Mastery knowledge (48 points)

You must complete:

a. Seven units (42 points):

• ACF5100 Strategic management accounting
• ACF5120 Forensic accounting and fraud examination
• ACF5150 Financial reporting issues
• ACF5330 Integrated systems for business enterprises
• ACF5080 Management control systems*
• ACF5130 Financial statement analysis and business valuation*
• ACF5320 Business analytics*

b. A capstone experience, being one unit (6 points) from the following:

• ACF5350 Applied contemporary accounting
• ACX5951 International study program in accounting
• BEX5001 Industry placement
• BEX5012 Industry placement (12 points)**

*If you meet the academic pre-requisites, pass the application and selection process and are selected into the research pathway you must undertake four Honours level units.The Honours units replace ACF5080 Management control systems, ACF5130 Financial statement analysis and business valuation and ACF5320 Business analytics and the capstone experience.

If you are undertaking the research pathway you must complete:

• ACX4000 Research method

and three units from the following list:

• ACX4040 Issues in accounting information systems
• ACX4050 Issues in auditing and assurance
• ACX4070 Issues in financial accounting
• ACX4090 Issues in management accounting

Additionally, as specified in Part C (b), you must complete ACF5001 (12 points).

**BEX5012 is a 12-point credit unit. If you undertake this unit as your capstone experience you only need to complete 18 credit points in Part C.

Part C. Application studies (24 points)

You must complete either a. or b. below:

a. You must complete up to four elective units (up to 24 points) at level 5 from either the Faculty of Business and Economics or from across the University, providing you have met the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on admission to the units.

It is recommended you complete electives from the following list:

• ACF5350 Applied contemporary accounting
• ACX5951 International study program in accounting
• BEX5001 Industry placement
• BEX5012 Industry placement (12 points)
• BEX5200 Climate change and carbon management
• BEX5832 European business and society (12 points)
• BFC5916 International Banking
• BFF5021 Case studies in risk management
• BFF5250 Corporate treasury management
• BFF5902 Introduction to risk management
• BFF5954 Business finance
• BFF5977 Risk financing and treasury management
• BTF5903 Law and business decisions
• BTF5501 Corporations law
• BTF5965 Taxation law
• FIT5057 Project management
• FIT5203 Community informatics
• MGF5020 Business ethics in a global environment
• MGF5030Not offered in 2019 Corporate social responsibility
• MGF5310 International management
• MGF5921 Foundations in human resource management
• MGF5961 Supply chain management
• MKF5955 Marketing and the international consumer

Units can also be identified by using the browse units tool and indexes of units in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code. You may need permission from the owning faculty to enrol in some units taught by other faculties.

OR

b. You must complete:

• ACF5001 Research project in accounting (12 points)

The research pathway in the Master of Accounting is available to you on application only. To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following pre-requisite:

Completion of the following four units with an overall minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70, with no mark of less than 60 for any unit.

• ACF5100 Strategic management accounting
• ACF5120 Forensic accounting and fraud examination
• ACF5150 Financial reporting issues
• ACF5330 Integrated systems for business enterprises

The Course Director will invite you (via email) to apply for the research pathway prior to November of each year. The application process will require submission of a statement of purpose, and if eligible you will be shortlisted for interview by a three member academic panel convened by the Course Director.

Due to availablity of units and progression requirements, the research pathway is available to full-time students who commence the course at either:

• Entry level 1 commencing semester one of an academic year
• Entry level 2 if starting in semester two of an academic year

Part time students interested in the research pathway should contact the Course Director.

You may exit this course early and apply to graduate with one of the following awards, provided you have satisfied the requirements for that award during your enrolment in this master's course:

• Graduate Certificate of Business after successful completion of 24 credit points of study with a minimum of 18 credit points at level 4 or above
• Graduate Diploma of Business after successful completion of 48 credit points of study with a minimum of 36 credit points at level 4 or above.

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a higher degree by research if you are admitted at entry levels 1 and 2 completing the research pathway (24 points). If you are admitted at entry level 3 you will normally already have an honours degree, however, if you are in this group and wish to complete a research project you should discuss the option with the course coordinator.