You're viewing degree information for Australian students
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Humanitarian Visa holders)
Discipline info for Australian students
Interested in Accounting and Finance?
Gain a foundation of business knowledge with the expertise to succeed in the fast-paced financial and accounting sectors. Working closely with industry and peak professional bodies, the internationally recognised Business School will prepare you for a successful career in the dynamic global business environment.
You will develop a unique set of skills recognised by employers, learning from experienced academics and industry professionals. Accounting and finance students develop reporting and analytical skills, while learning how external and global markets can affect organisations. You will also gain experience using state-of-the-art technologies to identify, analyse and interpret financial information.
A double degree combining accounting and finance, will enable you to pursue multiple career paths, or roles that combine these complementary disciplines. You can graduate with two professionally accredited degrees in just four years and will also be eligible for membership with professional bodies, in both sectors.
Our professionally accredited Masters qualifications in accounting and finance will prepare you to advance your career. You will develop expertise in critical and strategic thinking, within a highly-regulated industry framework and strengthen your research skills under the guidance of experienced professionals.
UniSA's Advanced Business Study Grants
The UniSA Business School offers high-achieving year 12 students the opportunity to enter the Advanced Accounting, Economics or Finance Stream, which includes a $1,000 grant towards a professional industry development or global study experience to boost employability. Learn more.
Key features
- Prepare for a career in accounting and business advisory.
- Gain a foundation of business knowledge combined with accounting, taxation, auditing, law and finance.
- Learn about the economic, legal and political influences that affect global business.
- Leverage opportunities to participate in industry placements and overseas exchanges – we have more than 2,500 industry partners and over 60 university partners worldwide.
- Our Business School is in the top one per cent worldwide1.
- Participate in an investigative study tour learning about the business practices in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan (undergraduate students).
- In the 2017 QS subject rankings, UniSA was ranked in the top 150 institutions in the world for Accounting and Finance.
- Awarded five stars in the category Teaching and Student Quality in the QS Stars Business School Rankings.
1UniSA Business School is one of just nine institutions in the country and 163 globally to be accredited by EQUIS. There are a total pool of 16,585 business schools worldwide, AACSB, July 2016.
Why UniSA?
- UniSA is in the top 150 institutions in the world for Accounting and Finance1.
- Our programs are accredited by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. We work closely with industry and peak professional bodies to ensure that the curriculum is relevant to current industry-standards.
- Our Master of Professional Accounting students can enrol in the CPA Australia Program as an elective course. This includes preparation for the CPA Australia exam.
- Our Master of Finance is recognised by the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute and the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) as a Financial Risk Manager (FRM) academic partner.
- From late 2017, you will experience our new state-of-the-art finance trading lab. The lab will provide students with a range of financial analysis tools used by professionals at the world’s leading banks and investment firms and will receive live market data in real-time.
12017 QS subject rankings
UniSA offers 10 Accounting and Finance degrees
Choose your level of study
World-class partners for a world-class university
We are a globally connected university with over 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.
Your career
Between now and 2020 the availability of accounting and finance-related roles in Australia is expected to increase by:
- 17.1 per cent (accountants, auditors and company secretaries)
- 16.6 per cent (accountants)
- 22.3 per cent (auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurers)
- 19 per cent (financial broker and dealer, and investment advisers)
- 21.9 per cent (financial investment advisers and managers)1
Careers to consider in accounting:
- Practicing accountant: working for private sector, government or individuals; preparing tax returns; keeping accounting systems up-to-date; maintaining financial records; advising on business structures
- Tax accountant: processing tax returns; completing Business Activity Statements (BAS) and company tax returns; providing tax planning advice and strategies
- Forensic accounting: working in a corporate or regulatory environment to investigate fraud and similar crimes; researching, analysis and preparing forensic reports for court; presenting findings; working closely with clients and colleagues
- Business advisor: working with new or established businesses; analysing business plans and financial statements; advising on investments, marketing, funding and financial trends; understanding consumer needs and how to improve profitability; problem solving with clients
- Auditor: ensuring financial and operational integrity and compliance; evaluating and reporting on financial, operational and managerial processes and systems; working on business process reviews and risk assessments.
Careers to consider in finance:
- Business advisor: working with new or established businesses; analysing business plans and financial statements; advising on investments, marketing, funding and financial trends; understanding consumer needs and how to improve profitability
- Investment banker: raising capital for companies, governments and other entities; assisting with large, complicated financial transactions; providing advice in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, regulatory environments, and risk assessment
- Financial planner or advisor: helping clients to meet short- and long-term financial goals; assisting with legal and financial documents, financial laws and legal restrictions; advising on investments and security planning, estate planning, tax planning, employee benefits planning and insurance planning
- Investment fund manager: providing financial advice about investment matters such as buying and selling of trusts, shares and bonds; analysing data and available information to make decisions and recommendations about investments.
1Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2015
Global networks
We are a globally connected university, our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.
Our Business School works with more than 200 companies, governments and organisations, and many of these are long-standing relationships built on common goals and shared values.
In the 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) rankings, our research in accounting, auditing and accountability and tourism was assessed as world-class. We have strong links, individually and collectively, with leading and like-minded research institutions in North America, Europe and the UK and are building equally exciting new relationships in Asia.
Industry facts
-
How do I apply?
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Click here to find all of the key dates for applications here.Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive credit (recognised prior learning) for this experience. Receiving credit will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
Credit is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor .
-
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
Study at UniSA
Lilian talks about the skills she's gained studying Accounting and Finance at UniSA Business School.
What others are saying
I was able to participate in the mentor program, Chartered Accountancy achiever program and networking events within the university and accounting organisations. It gave me an insight into the industry and the skills I need to have when I enter the workforce.
Damien Mcleod
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
I enjoy studying at UniSA because of the world-class facilities, collections of quality study materials, student support services and quality lecturers, who hold a PhD, CPA, CA and more.
Phallika Chum
Master of Professional Accounting
Why study at UniSA?
As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:
Accessible, helpful and flexible
We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.
Graduate success
UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*QILT: Graduate Destination Survey 2014-2016 Full-time Employment Indicator
A five star university
Five stars for research, teaching, employability, internationalisation, facilities, social responsibility and inclusiveness.*
*QS Stars rankings 2017