Key details
Duration
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
160Course code
Overview
The professional practice MPA provides you with a unique opportunity to work in an organisation and gain valuable professional experience while also gaining an MPA qualification.
The course will equip you with contemporary knowledge and skills required for professional practice as a certified practicing accountant (CPA) or chartered accountant (CA). The course will provide you the technical and conceptual skills required in a competent accountant, and will develop your ability to explore, analyse and synthesise various accounting and related principles, methods and techniques. You will undertake a piece of research in your capstone unit of study that incorporates accounting theory and contemporary issues.
You can choose to undertake a professional placement, applied research specialisation or to choose electives that support your career objectives. For your professional practice component CDU provides training specific to working effectively in an organisation. You are then provided with a placement opportunity to work in an organisation of approximately 300 hours over a period of eight to ten weeks. If you wish you may also organise your own placement with a suitable organisation. The placement occurs in the last semester of study and provides you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge you have gained during your MPA studies.
Career opportunities
Completing a Master of Professional Accounting (Professional Practice) can lead to a wide range of career opportunities in small, medium and large organisations. As a graduate, you may become a financial accountant, management accountant, financial auditor, tax auditor/preparer, business/financial analyst, or work in a large multinational company or 'Big Four' accounting firm. Or, you could run your own businesses, work in a small local accounting firm, or work in other areas of business management.
Professional recognition
CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). Graduates may also be eligible for memberships in other overseas-based professional accounting bodies.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2025 is AUD $34,720.00. This equates to $ $4,340.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study accounting at CDU?
Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interest
Why study accounting at CDU?
Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.
- Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interests
- Placements available for some courses
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Why study accounting at CDU?
Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interest
Why study accounting at CDU?
Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.
- Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interests
- Placements available for some courses
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
What will I study?
The professional practice MPA provides you with a unique opportunity to work in an organisation and gain valuable professional experience while also gaining an MPA qualification.
Course structure
The course will equip you with contemporary knowledge and skills required for professional practice as a public or chartered accountant. The course will provide you the technical and conceptual skills required in a competent accountant, and will develop your ability to explore, analyse and synthesise various accounting and related principles, methods and techniques.
For your professional practise component CDU provides training specific to working effectively in an organisation. You are then provided with a placement opportunity to work in an organisation of approximately 300 hours over a period of eight to ten weeks. If you wish you may also organise your own placement company to work at. The placement occurs in the last semester of study and provides you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge you have gained during your MPA studies.
Where students have prior CPA/CAANZ assessed exemptions and require electives to complete the total of 160 credit points, electives may be selected from the MBA, on approval of the Course Coordinator.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (12 units) | 120cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 120 credit points as detailed below. ACT501 Accounting Principles ACT502 Management Accounting ACT503 Corporate Accounting ACT504 Auditing ACT505 Accounting Theory ACT506 Accounting Information Systems ECO505 Economics of Sustainability (replaces ECO504 from 2022) FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance LAW511 Australian Tax Law LAW513 Corporate Law LAW514 Commercial Law STA510 Business Statistics |
| Specialist Elective (0-3 units) | 0-40cp | Students may complete 40 credit points from the Professional Placement Specialisation OR undertake 40 credit points of general electives. Professional Placement Specialisation WIB601 Business Skill and Professional Communication |
| General Elective (0-4 units) | 0-40cp | General Elective units totalling between 0-40 credit points selected from postgraduate units offered by the University. Students not enrolling in the Professional Placement Specialisation may select units from postgraduate units offered by CDU. |
| 160cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2025
The Open specialisation has been discontinued and is no longer available.
Open Specialisation: Students select 40cp from the list below (no longer available from 2025)
BUS504 Sustainable Enterprise
BUS505 Design Thinking for Sustainable Innovation
BUS506 Global Megatrends
BUS507 Global Market and Sustainability Strategy
ENT501 Sustainable Entrepreneurship
FIN503 Finance, Investment and Sustainability
MAN514 Management for the Executive
MAN516 Resilience Management and Leadership
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2023
The Advanced Business Research specialisation has been discontinued and is no longer available.
Advanced Business Research Specialisation (no longer available from S2 2023)
Minimum academic performance required
BUS801 Business Research Project 1: Literature Review and Research Design (not available from 2023)
BUS802 Business Research Project 2: Applied Qualitative Business Research (not available from 2023)
BUS803 Business Research Project 3: Applied Quantitative Business Research (not available from 2023)
BUS804 Business Research Thesis Proposal (not available from 2023)
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2022
ECO504 Business Economics will no longer be available
ECO505 Economics of Sustainability has been introduced as a core unit
Students must now complete 40cp of specialist elective units selected from 1 of the specialisations
Students that completed the following Professional Research Project prior to 2022 may still count the units towards specialist electives
WIB608 Professional Business Market Research Project (no longer available from 2022)
WIB609 Professional Business Market Research Project (20cp) (no longer available from 2022)
Students that completed the following Professional Practice Research prior to Semester 2 2017 may still count the units towards specialist electives
WIB601 Business Skill and Professional Communication (unit title changed 2022)
WIB604 Professional Business Project #10 (no longer avail from S2 2017) (previously PRB006)
WIB605 Professional Business Project #20 (no longer avail from S2 2017) (previously PRB007)
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2016
Students who have completed PRBA031, PRBE003, PRBL004 or PRBM022 should NOT transfer to this new course.
Unit Code and Course Requirements from 2016
Following is a summary of unit code changes. ALL students should enrol in the latest unit code from 2016.
| Pre-2016 Unit Code (MACPP requirements) | 2016 Unit Code (SPAPP1 requirements) |
| PRBA001 Accounting Principles | ACT501 Accounting Principles |
| PRBA002 Cost and Management Accounting | ACT502 Management Accounting |
| PRBA003 Corporate Accounting | ACT503 Corporate Accounting |
| PRBA004 Auditing Corporate Entities | ACT504 Auditing |
| PRBA005 Accounting Theory | ACT505 Accounting Theory |
| PRBA006 Computer-based Accounting Systems | ACT506 Accounting Information Systems |
| PRBA031 Business Communications | Does not count towards the SPACC1 #see note below |
| PRBE003 Economics Statistics | Does not count towards the SPACC1 #see note below |
| ECO504 Business Economics (new unit) | |
| STA510 Business Statistics (new unit) | |
| PRBF010 Aspects of Corporate Finance | FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance |
| PRBL004 Commercial and Corporate Law for Managers | Does not count towards the SPACC1 #see note below |
| LAW514 Commercial Law (new unit) | |
| LAW513 Corporate Law (new unit) | |
| PRBL003 Australian Tax Law | LAW511 Australian Tax Law |
| PRBM022 Organisational Behaviour | Does not count towards the SPACC1 #see note below |
| PRB001 Professional Practice Experience #10 | WIB601 Business Skill and Professional Communication (unit title changed 2022) |
| PRB002 Professional Practice Experience #10 | WIB602 Professional Practice Experience #10 |
| PRB003 Professional Practice Experience #20 | WIB603 Professional Practice Experience #20 |
| PRB006 Professional Practice Research #10 | WIB604 Professional Business Project #10 (no longer avail from S2 2017) |
| PRB007 Professional Practice Research #20 | WIB605 Professional Business Project #20 (no longer avail from S2 2017) |
Additional Information
- Students who have completed #PRBA031 Business Communications, #PRBE003 Economics Statistics, #PRBL004 Commercial and Corporate Law for Managers and/or #PRBM022 Organisational Behaviour should NOT transfer to this new course (SPAPP1) as these units are not transferrable.
- COM510 Advanced Business Communication (previously PRBA031), ECO503 Economic Statistics (previously PRBE003), LAW512 Commercial and Corporate Law (previously PRBL004) and MAN506 Organisational Behaviour (previously PRBM022) DO NOT count towards this award and should not be completed by students enrolled in this course.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT SPECIALISATION
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ACT501 Accounting Principles | CO | FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance | CO |
| ECO505 Economics of Sustainability | CO | ACT503 Corporate Accounting | CO |
| STA510 Business Statistics | CO | ACT504 Auditing | CO |
| LAW514 Commercial Law | CO | LAW513 Corporate Law | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| ACT502 Management Accounting | CO | ACT505 Accounting Theory | CO |
| LAW511 Australian Tax Law | CO | WIB602 Professional Practice Experience 1 | SE |
| ACT506 Accounting Information Systems | CO | WIB603 Professional Practice Experience 2 (20cp) | SE |
| WIB601 Business Skill and Professional Communication | SE | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
OPEN SPECIALISATION (no longer available from 2025)
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ACT501 Accounting Principles | CO | FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance | CO |
| ECO505 Economics of Sustainability | CO | ACT503 Corporate Accounting | CO |
| STA510 Business Statistics | CO | ACT504 Auditing | CO |
| LAW514 Commercial Law | CO | LAW513 Corporate Law | CO |
| Year 2 | |||
| ACT502 Management Accounting | CO | ACT505 Accounting Theory | CO |
| LAW511 Australian Tax Law | CO | ACT506 Accounting Information Systems | CO |
| Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E | Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E |
| Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E | Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E |
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT SPECIALISATION
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ACT501 Accounting Principles | CO | ||
| ECO505 Economics of Sustainability | CO | ||
| STA510 Business Statistics | CO | ||
| LAW514 Commercial Law | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| ACT502 Management Accounting | CO | FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance | CO |
| ACT503 Corporate Accounting | CO | LAW513 Corporate Law | CO |
| ACT504 Auditing | CO | ACT506 Accounting Information Systems | CO |
| LAW511 Australian Tax Law | CO | WIB601 Business Skill and Professional Communication | SE |
| Year 3 | |||
| ACT505 Accounting Theory | CO | ||
| WIB602 Professional Practice Experience 1 | SE | ||
| WIB603 Professional Practice Experience 2 (20cp) | SE | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
OPEN SPECIALISATION (no longer available from 2025)
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ACT501 Accounting Principles | CO | ||
| ECO505 Economics of Sustainability | CO | ||
| STA510 Business Statistics | CO | ||
| LAW514 Commercial Law | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| ACT502 Management Accounting | CO | FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance | CO |
| ACT503 Corporate Accounting | CO | LAW513 Corporate Law | CO |
| ACT504 Auditing | CO | Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E |
| LAW511 Australian Tax Law | CO | Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E |
| Year 3 | |||
| ACT505 Accounting Theory | CO | ||
| ACT506 Accounting Information Systems | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E | ||
| Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E | ||
____________________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SUMMER SEMESTER
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT SPECIALISATION
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester | |||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||||
| ACT501 Accounting Principles | CO | ||||
| ECO505 Economics of Sustainability | CO | ||||
| STA510 Business Statistics | CO | ||||
| Calendar Year 2 | |||||
| ACT502 Management Accounting | CO | LAW511 Australian Tax Law | CO | ||
| ACT503 Corporate Accounting | CO | FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance | CO | ||
| ACT504 Auditing | CO | LAW513 Corporate Law | CO | ||
| LAW514 Commercial Law | CO | WIB601 Business Skill and Professional Communication | SE | ||
| Calendar Year 3 | |||||
| ACT505 Accounting Theory | CO | ACT506 Accounting Information Systems | CO | ||
| WIB602 Professional Practice Experience 1 | SE | ||||
| WIB603 Professional Practice Experience 2 (20cp) | SE | ||||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
OPEN SPECIALISATION (no longer available from 2025)
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester (Sem-3) | |||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||||
| ACT501 Accounting Principles | CO | ||||
| ECO505 Economics of Sustainability | CO | ||||
| STA510 Business Statistics | CO | ||||
| Calendar Year 2 | |||||
| ACT502 Management Accounting | CO | FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance | CO | ||
| ACT503 Corporate Accounting | CO | LAW513 Corporate Law | CO | ||
| ACT504 Auditing | CO | LAW511 Australian Tax Law | CO | ||
| LAW514 Commercial Law | CO | Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E | ||
| Calendar Year 3 | |||||
| ACT505 Accounting Theory | CO | Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E | ||
| ACT506 Accounting Information Systems | CO | ||||
| Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E | ||||
| Specialist Elective/General Elective | SE/E | ||||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate diploma, masters degree, or equivalent international qualification. Applicants who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Accounting Studies are also eligible for entry.
Applicants who have previously completed an accounting degree within Australia are not eligible to apply.
International entry pathway
International PathwayApplicants who have completed the CDU International Masters Qualifying Program (ZMQP01 or ZMQP02) or the Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP1 or ZAMQP2) are eligible for entry.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
I love CDU! The faculty staff give out such positive vibes, inspire you to work hard and cheer you on with every step you take.
Rafat
CDU student
I love CDU! The faculty staff give out such positive vibes, inspire you to work hard and cheer you on with every step you take.
Rafat
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn more about accounting at CDU
Rafat is a CDU Alumni from Bangladesh and studied a Master of Professional Accounting (Professional Practice). Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn more about accounting at CDU
Rafat is a CDU Alumni from Bangladesh and studied a Master of Professional Accounting (Professional Practice). Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
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