University of South Australia

Accounting and Finance

Interested in Accounting and Finance?

Develop the expertise to succeed in the fast-paced financial and accounting sectors with a university ranked No.1 in South Australia for graduate careers in Business and Management1. With access to industry knowledge and hands-on learning opportunities, you will graduate prepared for a global professional career.

Learning from experienced academics and industry professionals, you will develop skills valued by employers including communication, teamwork, reporting and analytical skills. You will also understand how external and global markets can affect organisations and use state-of-the-art technologies, including our Iress Trading Room, to identify, analyse and interpret financial information.

An undergraduate degree in accounting, finance or economics will enable you to pursue multiple career paths and equip you with a desirable set of specialist skills. Many of our qualifications are also professionally accredited by industry bodies ensuring you graduate with a degree highly regarded by the sector here and overseas.

Our accredited master's qualifications in accounting, finance, and FASEA approved programs in financial planning 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.

1ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-22 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities.

Key features

  • UniSA Business is in the top one per cent worldwide and has been awarded an overall five stars for excellence in the QS Stars Ratings 20231.
  • UniSA Business is accredited by both AACSB International and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies.
  • Study at the No. 1 university in South Australia for graduate careers in Business and Management2.
  • Ranked No. 1 in SA for Business and Economics3.
  • Study a financial planning degree recognised as an approved program by Financial Adviser Standards, The Treasury4.
  • Study at a Top 5 business school in Australia for quality5.
  • Learn about the economic, legal and political influences that affect global business, and prepare for a career in accounting and business advisory.
  • Gain a foundation of business knowledge combined with accounting, taxation, auditing, law and finance.
  • Add a 1-year master's degree to your studies with our Fast-track to Masters package, and complete an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in just four years.
  • Develop career-ready skills employers are looking for once you graduate, with enterprise skills embedded in all business courses
  • Under the supervision of qualified tax professionals, you can gain practical, hands-on experience by providing tax advice to members of the community and small businesses in our on-campus Tax Clinic.
  • Gain real-world experience as part of your studies through an internship, student exchange or mentorship opportunity – we have more than 2,500 industry partners and over 60 university partners worldwide.
  • Participate in an investigative study tour learning about the business practices in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan (undergraduate students).
  • Finance students can access our state-of-the-art Iress Trading Room on campus, which includes a market data feed and financial analysis tools – the same technology used by the world's leading banks and investment firms.

1UniSA Business is one of just 13 institutions in Australia and approximately 200 globally (from over 25,000 universities) to be EQUIS accredited. EFMD, March 2024. 2023 QS Stars Business School Ratings. 2ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-22 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities. 32024 THE Subject Rankings. 4Financial Adviser Standards, The Treasury have taken on the responsibilities of the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) as of 1 January 2022. The degree is a Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) accredited program. 5Ranked #5, Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Business Schools List 2023.

Why UniSA?

  • UniSA Business is in the top one per cent worldwide1 and we have been awarded an overall five stars for excellence in the QS Stars Ratings 2022.
  • UniSA Business is the only business school in South Australia accredited by both AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EFMD (EQUIS) – the world’s leading accreditation bodies recognising excellence in business education and research at a global level. These dual accreditations demonstrate the high standards we hold across all areas such as teaching, student learning and research, as well as our commitment to continually improving the quality of our programs.
  • UniSA is No.1 in South Australia for graduate careers in Business and Management2.
  • Our strong real-world connections mean you can learn from researchers recognised as performing world standard in Accounting, Finance and Applied Economics3.
  • Finance students can experience the first state-of-the-art university-based Iress Trading Room in South Australia, providing a range of financial analysis tools used by the world’s leading banks and investment firms.
  • Our qualifications are accredited and approved by leading professional bodies and we work closely with industry to ensure our curriculum includes the very latest theories and trends.
  • Explore our wide range of grants and scholarships to support your studies.
  • We are consistently recognised and awarded for our excellence in teaching, the quality of our degrees and satisfaction of our students – there's never been a better time to study at UniSA.

1UniSA Business is one of just 12 institutions in Australia and approximately 200 globally (from over 25,000 universities) to be EQUIS accredited. EFMD, March 2022.  2ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Postgraduate). SA public universities.  32018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).  

Enhance your study experience

  • Fast-track to Masters: For select degrees, you can complete a bachelor’s and master’s qualification in just four years through our Fast-track to Masters  package. This unique offering allows you to fast-track your studies and graduate with greater expertise and career opportunities.
  • Business Career Mentor Program: Engage in our Business Career Mentor Program and be paired with an experienced business professional to enhance your network and career.
  • Executive in Residence Program: Meet one-to-one with a senior business executive and industry leader through our Executive in Residence program. This initiative enables you to seek expert guidance for your career development and support to advance your career.
  • Hands-on experience: You can gain valuable industry experience before you graduate with access to internships, professional development courses, Summer or Winter School intensives and more – plus we give you a longer break between semesters to make sure you have the time.
  • Enterprise Skills: To prepare you for a diverse future career in business, UniSA Business is committed to ensuring you graduate with a sound knowledge base and the skills employers are looking for. These skills, better known as Enterprise Skills, will help prepare you for success regardless of field or industry.
  • Study abroad: Explore the world and gain an international perspective as part of your studies with our student exchange program. Whether it's a semester or short term exchange or a study tour, you'll find the experience invaluable for your personal and professional development.

Explore a career in financial planning

The University of South Australia is one of the first institutions nation-wide to offer financial planning programs recognised as an approved program by Financial Adviser Standards, The Treasury.

The financial planning profession has recently introduced new education standards, making it more important than ever to hold a recognised qualification.

All financial advisers currently working in industry will need to complete a Treasury-approved program by 2026 to continue practising. If you're looking to enter the industry, you'll now need to complete a FASEA-approved program to start your career.

Our suite of degrees are designed to meet industry requirements and cater to all levels of experience and learning options, with the flexibility to study how it best suits you.

  • Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning): This degree is best suited if you do not hold a prior qualification or industry experience. This program is Treasury-approved and can be completed in 3 years full-time.
  • Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning: If you do not hold a relevant prior qualification but have industry experience in a related financial services role, this program can be used as a direct entry pathway into our Treasury-approved master's program. The graduate certificate can be completed in 6 months of full-time study. 
  • Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning: This degree is best suited to existing financial advisers who need to study a Treasury-approved program to meet new education requirements, and professionals with a relevant degree seeking a career change. This program is Treasury-approved and can be completed in 1 year of full-time study.
  • Master of Finance (Financial Planning): This degree is best suited to professionals who hold a prior qualification and are seeking a career change in the financial services sector. This program is Treasury-approved and can be completed in 1.5-2 years of full-time study.

We also offer the option to study a bachelor's or master's degree in financial planning as part of our Fast-track to Masters packaged programs, enabling you to fast-track your studies and enhance your career opportunities in just four years.

UniSA offers the following 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

Business_Hub_images-66 copy.jpgAs the No.1 university in South Australia for graduate careers in Business and Management1, our quality teaching and experiences beyond the classroom will ensure you graduate career-ready.

Careers to consider in accounting include:

  • 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.
  • Business adviser: 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
  • Forensic accountant: 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
  • Practising 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

Careers to consider in finance include:

  • Business adviser: 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 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.
  • 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
  • Qualified financial planner or adviser: 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

1ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-22 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities.

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.

In the 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) rankings, our research in Accounting and Applied Economics 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

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Between now and 2024 employment in Australia for financial brokers, dealers and investment advisers is projected to increase by 6,900 (6.9 per cent).

Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2019

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By 2024 employment for accountants, auditors and company secretaries in Australia is projected to increase by 9.3 per cent.

Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2019

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Australia’s financial services sector is the largest contributor to the nation's economic growth.

Financial Services Council. State of the Art 2019.

Ask UniSA

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Study at UniSA

Hear from some of our academics about what makes our accounting degree unique and what opportunities you can make the most of at UniSA.

UniSA Video

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)
Accountant, Accru Harris Orchard

Damien Mcleod Undergraduate Commerce student.jpg

Damien Mcleod

Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
Accountant, Accru Harris Orchard

"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

Phallika Chum

Phallika Chum

Master of Professional Accounting

UniSA's accounting degree has a strong emphasis on the importance of communication and teamwork. You need to be able to communicate technical concepts in terms that your clients can understand and action. Beyond the theoretical knowledge, I have found these skills to be useful when interacting and corresponding with clients and colleagues.

Lilian Te

Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Business (Finance)
Manager - Corporate Tax | BDO Australia

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Lilian Te

Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Business (Finance)
Manager - Corporate Tax | BDO Australia

Having a FASEA*-approved qualification is now imperative to a successful career as a financial adviser. The new FASEA* requirements will effectively reshape Australia’s network of financial advisers. Financial planners who are able to adapt to change, continually learn new things, possess good communication skills, and demonstrate flexibility and resilience will be the most successful in their career.

*Financial Adviser Standards, The Treasury have taken on the responsibilities of the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) as of 1 January 2022. The degree is a Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) accredited program.

Louise Trevaskis

Academy and Education Manager | AMP Financial Services

Louise Trevaskis - Financial Planning industry.jpg

Louise Trevaskis

Academy and Education Manager | AMP Financial Services

UniSA listens to what employers need then provides you with the tools and education to prepare you for your career. As a student, I attended industry events and participated in the Business Career Mentor Program, which allowed me to learn first-hand from industry professionals who had previously walked in my shoes. I was then fortunate enough to be offered a graduate position at a big four accounting firm before graduating.

Nicholas Abela

Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Business (Finance)
Client Engagement Officer | ATO

Nick Abela, Business Finance student

Nicholas Abela

Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), Bachelor of Business (Finance)
Client Engagement Officer | ATO

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:

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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.

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Graduate success

UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.

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A five star university

Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2022 QS Stars Ratings