Program Overview

Introduction to Taxation and Accounting

Taxation is a core area within the broader fields of accounting and law. It involves more than creating and charging taxes — it distributes money to public goods and services and can be a tool to influence behavior. This study encompasses many different subject areas, including law, economics, and even psychology, to help understand the impact of taxation on society.

Overview of Taxation and Accounting

The University of Canterbury offers a minor in Taxation within multiple degrees to complement a major subject with study in tax expenses and public services. This can increase knowledge and potentially employability in an industry that interests the student.

What Will My Study Involve?

• Take a range of courses from legal, accounting, and practical perspectives that prepare for a professional career in taxation and accounting.
• Apply learning through internships and international study options.
• By taking specific courses in this major, gain external qualifications and membership with CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and other professional accounting bodies internationally.
• Complete a minor in Taxation or Accounting within a range of bachelor's degrees to add understanding of tax and policy to other studies.

Courses

Taxation and Accounting Major

For the major in the Bachelor of Commerce, complete the following courses:

• 100-level:
  • ACCT103 Accounting and Taxation: An Introduction
  • ACCT156 Legal Structures and Foundations of Business
• 200-level:
  • ACCT254 Taxation
  • ACCT211 Financial Accounting OR ACCT222 Management Accounting
• 300-level:
  • ACCT358 Advanced Taxation
  • ACCT359 Further Issues in Advanced Taxation
  • Two 300-level ACCT courses

For those interested in provisional membership with professional accounting bodies, include specific courses in the degree in addition to the other Taxation and Accounting major requirements.

Taxation Minor

For the minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health, Product Design, Science, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership, complete the following courses:

• 100-level:
  • ACCT102 Accounting and Financial Information
  • ACCT103 Accounting and Taxation: An Introduction
  • ACCT156 Legal Structures and Foundations of Business
• 200-level:
  • ACCT254 Taxation
• 300-level:
  • ACCT358 Advanced Taxation
  • ACCT359 Further Issues in Advanced Taxation

Career Opportunities

Study in taxation will set students up with the skills and knowledge needed to work as a taxation specialist or as a chartered accountant in Aotearoa or internationally. Career pathways could include:

• Finance manager
• Business analyst
• Tax consultant or auditor
• Forensic accountant

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts (Specialisations)
• Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours
• Bachelor of Health
• Bachelor of Product Design
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
• Bachelor of Sport
• Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership

Related Subjects

Choose an area of interest and learn how the University of Canterbury's range of study options can facilitate studying what is desired. Related subjects include:

• Law: Gain the essential skills and specialization to enter the legal profession.
• Accounting: Learn about accounting, auditing, tax rules and practices, and the role of accountants.