Program Overview

Master of Professional Accounting

The Master of Professional Accounting equips students with the skills to change careers and become an accountant. This postgraduate accounting degree can be completed in as little as one year.

Programme Details

• Programme code: AK3411
• Level: 9
• Points: 180
• Duration: 1 to 1.5 years full-time / part-time available
• Campus: City Campus
• Starts: 2 Mar 2026, 27 Oct 2026, 1 Mar 2027, 26 Oct 2027

Fees

• Domestic: $24,035.60 (for 120 points)
  • $22,814 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy
• International: $59,882.40 (for 180 points)
  • $58,050 tuition fees + $1,832.40 student services levy
• Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee.
• The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
• Fees are subject to change year to year.
• International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition.
• Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

• If you have New Zealand qualifications:
  • Must have completed a bachelor's degree (in any discipline) with a B- grade average or higher in courses at level 7 or equivalent
• If you have qualifications from another country:
  • See entry requirements for students from other countries.
  • Select your country from the dropdown menu.
  • Accepted qualification, duration, and subject majors vary by country.
  • Minimum scores also vary by country, including percentage, degree classification, letter criteria, and GPA.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with a minimum score of 6.0 in each band.
• IELTS may be waived for a student who has completed a qualification, the language of instruction for which was English, and which was awarded within the last 3 years.
• IELTS may also be waived for a student who has lived and/or worked in an English speaking environment for 3 years.

What You Study

The Master of Professional Accounting is taught over three 15-week trimesters. Each trimester includes 12 weeks of teaching, with final assessments scheduled in weeks 13 to 15.

• Complete the following courses:
  • ACCT860 Financial Accounting
  • ACCT861 Management Accounting for Business
  • ACCT862 Taxation in New Zealand
  • ACCT863 Accounting Information Systems
  • ACCT865 Advanced Financial Accounting
  • ACCT866 Strategic Management Accounting
  • ACCT867 Finance for Accountants
  • ACCT869 Accounting Regulations and Business Law
  • ACCT960 Auditing
  • ACCT995 Applied Professional Accounting Project
  • ECON863 Economics and Quantitative Methods

Career Opportunities

Accounting offers excellent job opportunities both in New Zealand and internationally. There's strong demand for highly skilled accountants and senior managers with a strategic understanding of accounting and finance.

• Careers include:
  • Chartered accountant
  • International accounting firms
  • Management accountant
  • Chief financial officer
  • Finance manager
  • Forensic accountant
  • Senior management
  • Business consultant
  • Tax specialist

Professional Accreditation

The Master of Professional Accounting provides students with the academic requirements for membership in:

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
• Certified Practising Accountants Australia (CPA Australia)
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

Related Programmes

• Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Accounting
• Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting
• Accounting Specialisation - Master of Business
• Pathway to a PhD: High-achieving professional master's degree students can qualify to apply to the Doctor of Philosophy by completing the Master of Business with a B+ grade average or higher.