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Be equipped with a range of professional skills to work as an accountant or in a senior management position.

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#1 in Australia

for full-time employment 2024 Good Universities Guide, PG Business

#1 in Queensland

for overall educational experience 2024 Good Universities Guide, PG Business

#1 in Queensland

for student support 2024 Good Universities Guide, PG Business

Cairns: January, May, September
Brisbane: January, May, September

$29,600.00^{^}

^{^}estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible

Fees currently displayed are indicative only. 2024 fees will be uploaded by October, 2023.

2 years full-time

or part-time equivalent

AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a business discipline other than accounting; or equivalent

112104

What to expect

Cover key areas in accounting and finance while gaining valuable skills in strategy and leadership.

Apply your complementary knowledge in accounting and business administration to deliver creative solutions in your workplace. Develop your professional judgement with a strong understanding of two prominent disciplines.

Learn how to relate advanced accounting knowledge to business practices, including auditing, finance, economics, and commercial, corporation, and taxation law. Demonstrate your synthesis of knowledge with an applied research project.

Consult the handbook for further information.
Additional information

MBA in Accounting and Business Administration

Studying accounting or business is an excellent way to set yourself up for success in a range of careers and industries, but combining the two allows for an even greater set of opportunities. The Master of Professional Accounting and Master of Business Administration at JCU equips you with all the valuable skills and knowledge that employers in all industries look for. You will prepare yourself for a flexible range of career opportunities and can expect to work in business or finance in a range of different roles. This master’s degree takes two years of full-time studies to complete at the JCU campus in Brisbane and has seen many previous graduates go on to successful careers in the field they’re most passionate about. If you want to give yourself an edge over other candidates with such extensive knowledge, or if you’re still unsure what you want to do in your career and want to give yourself the flexibility and options that come with a joint degree, this MBA is perfect for you.

What You Will Learn

Combining all the most important aspects of a degree in accounting with those of a degree in business administration, this joint MBA will provide you with a range of skills and valuable experience. During your studies, you will learn strategy and leadership that you can transform into management roles. You will also learn how to deliver creative solutions to any workplace and how to relate advanced accounting to business practices. You will develop a thorough understanding of two valuable core disciplines, accounting and business administration, as well as business practices that include finance, economics and auditing.

Career Opportunities

JCU graduates will be accredited with Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), giving them an excellent head start in their careers. All graduates have excellent career prospects in the field they choose. Career opportunities will be available to you in business and finance, including as accountants or managers.

Why Study an MBA in Accounting at JCU in QLD?

If you’re looking to study a Master of Professional Accounting or an MBA in Accounting in Queensland, the joint Master of Professional Accounting and Master of Business Administration at JCU is one of the best options available to you. Not only will you have excellent career prospects because of the valuable skills you will develop, as demonstrated by previous graduates, but there are other reasons to choose JCU too. 82% of graduates of this degree were satisfied with their skills development. Students benefit from high-quality teaching from leading experts, excellent learning resources and practical experience from their research project. JCU is known as one of the best universities in Queensland for many disciplines, equipping students with real-life practical experience that equip them to succeed in a career of their choice. You will have access to networking opportunities and excellent student support.

Apply for the MBA in Accounting and Business Administration through JCU’s online application portal.
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Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Master of Professional Accounting - Master of Business Administration.

Career Opportunities

JCU Accounting and Business Administration graduates have a valuable skillset and pursue leading careers in finance and business.

Graduates pursue careers in both accounting and business administration.

You could find employment in both the public and private sectors, providing valuable insights into finance and economics.

Work as an accountant across a variety of contexts. Successful completion of all accredited subjects fulfils the academic entry requirements for the professional accounting bodies Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).

Handbook

Handbook year	Information valid for students commencing in 2024.
Course code	112104
Course type	Masters Degree (Coursework) (AQF Level 9)
Professional accreditation status	This course is jointly accredited by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). Students who complete the accredited award may join either or both of the professional accounting bodies (CPA Australia, and/or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)). They must then complete the professional programs of whichever body they join plus their required number of years of professional experience in order to become full members of the accounting profession and practice as an accountant.
Owner	Academy
College	Business, Law and Governance

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a business discipline other than accounting from this or another University; or

Other qualifications and/or experience recognised by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Tropical Environments and Societies as equivalent to the above

*Business disciplines: marketing, management, commerce, human resource management, economics, tourism and hospitality, or other disciplines where students will have completed study relating to organisational behaviour, business, strategy, marketing, economics, communication and people management.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements

Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 2 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy or have successfully completed an AQF 8 qualification from James Cook University within the previous two (2) years.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

48 credit points as per course structure

Course learning outcomes

JCU graduates are committed to lifelong learning, intellectual development, and to the display of exemplary personal, professional and ethical standards. They have a sense of their place in the tropics and are charged with professional, community, and environmental responsibility. JCU graduates appreciate the need to embrace and be acquainted with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia. They are committed to reconciliation, diversity and sustainability. They exhibit a willingness to lead and to contribute to the intellectual, environmental, cultural, economic and social challenges of regional, national, and international communities of the tropics.

On successful completion of the Master of Business Administration component of the joint degree, JCU graduates will be able to:

Critically analyse complex business-related knowledge and practice from both historical and recent perspectives
Evaluate contexts within which differing sustainable business performance methods should be integrated and applied
Evaluate sustainable economic, social and environmental practices and value systems from different disciplinary perspectives
Research and apply established concepts to solve business and professional practice problems
Critically analyse complex contemporary business issues using appropriate models and make reasoned recommendations based on multidisciplinary synthesis of theory and evidence
Apply creative and innovative thinking effectively to business theory and practice
Present complex business analyses and information appropriately to differing audiences using:
- Effective oral presentation skills; and
- Clear and fluent written communication
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in achieving common goals, demonstrating both collaboration and leadership
Adapt sustainable business constructs and skills to novel theoretical or practical situations
Exercise independent ethical judgment and initiative in solving differing business problems creatively
Demonstrate a capacity for personal reflection and self-development in relation to professional business learning and practice.

On successful completion of the Master of Professional Accounting component of the joint degree, JCU graduates will be able to:

Critically analyse complex accounting-related knowledge and practice from both historical and contemporary perspectives
Evaluate contexts within which differing accounting performance reporting and monitoring methods should be integrated and applied
Evaluate sustainable economic, social and environmental practices and value systems from accounting disciplinary perspectives
Integrate advanced theoretical and technical accounting knowledge which includes a selection of auditing and assurance, finance, economics, quantitative methods, information systems, commercial law, corporation law and taxation law
Research and apply established concepts to solve business and professional practice problems
Critically analyse complex contemporary business issues using appropriate accounting models and techniques and make reasoned recommendations based on a synthesis of theory and evidence
Present complex business analyses and information appropriately to both accountants and non-accountants using:
- Effective oral presentation skills; and
- Clear and fluent written communication
Work effectively in achieving common goals, demonstrating both collaboration and leadership
Adapt accounting constructs and skills to diverse theoretical or practical situations
Exercise judgement under minimal supervision to solve emerging and/or advanced accounting problems in complex contexts using social, ethical, economic, regulatory and global perspectives
Seek and reflect on performance feedback to identify and action learning opportunities and self-improvements and initiate this process for others.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements	Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University's learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please visit: Master of Professional Accounting - Master of Business Administration.
Reasonable adjustments	All JCU students have the opportunity to demonstrate, with reasonable adjustments where applicable, the inherent requirements for their course. For more information please visit: Student Disability Policy and Procedure.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

CO5103:03 Management Accounting

CO5109:03 Corporate Finance

CO5117:03 Introduction to Accounting

CO5118:03 Auditing and Assurance Services

CO5119:03 Business Law

CO5120:03 Taxation Law

CO5121:03 Law of Business Organisations

CO5122:03 Accounting for Corporations

CO5123:03 Advanced Issues in Accounting

CO5140:03 Information Analysis and Systems

CO5124:03 Data Analysis and Decision Modelling

LB5203:03 Sustainable Enterprise

LB5233:03 Innovation and Entrepreneurship

LB5241:03 Leadership Futures

LB5229:03 Economics for a Sustainable World

LB5235:03 Applied Research Project

Location

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
JCU Brisbane
JCU Cairns

Candidature

Expected time to complete	2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Maximum time to complete	8 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	Nil
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	No
Special assessment requirements	Nil
Professional accreditation requirements	Successful completion of all accredited subjects fulfils the academic entry requirements for the professional accounting bodies Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ).
Supplementary exam for final subject	A student who has failed a single subject towards the award in their final teaching period and who gained 40% or more of the marks for that subject, may be granted a supplementary examination in that subject. However if that subject is required for accreditation, then the criteria specified by that accreditation will apply.

Credit

Eligibility	Students may apply for a credit transfer for previous tertiary study or informal and non-formal learning in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure.
Maximum allowed	24 credit points and not more than 12 credit points of subjects specified in the course structure, for either component of the degree
Currency	Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 4 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 12 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course.
Other restrictions	Credit will not be granted for work experience or for undergraduate study.

Award Details

Award title	MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING – MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable – this course does not have majors
Exit with lesser award	Students who exit the course prior to completion, and have completed the relevant number of credit points and appropriate subjects, may be eligible to take out one or more of the following awards: Graduate Certificate of Accounting Graduate Certificate of Business Administration Graduate Diploma of Accounting Graduate Diploma of Business Administration.
Course articulation	Not applicable
Special awards	Students may receive an Award of Recognition in accordance with the Recognition of Academic Excellence Procedure

Fees and scholarships

Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD29,600.00

A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.

A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.

Pathways to JCU

Consult the admission requirements section in the Handbook for prerequisites and pathways into this course.

How to apply

Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.

Entry requirements: Completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a non-accounting discipline, from this or another university; or other qualifications, or practical experience.

Student

Gary Myers

Master of Professional Accounting - Master of Business Administration

The list of job opportunities is almost endless if you have both an MBA and MPA. The best thing about the JCU MPA-MBA course is the opportunity to attend university in the tropics. It is a fantastic place to live and work. Also, JCU accepted my work experience and previous university experiences for advanced standing.
Alumni

Sawan Bahadur Shrestha

Master of Professional Accounting - Master of Business Administration

For anyone who is looking for accounting and business knowledge with a practical side to it, this is the perfect course. The lecturers and the student association are really helpful. Whatever you study at JCU, you will be able to use it in the practical world, so it’s a great opportunity.
Lecturer

Dr Dale Wadeson

Accounting and Finance

The great thing about accounting and business administration is that the vast majority of students have gained employment by the last year of their degree. I have seen many rise to senior ranks, or overseas after they complete their professional accreditation, a testament to them, and to the strength of our program.