Bachelor of Accounting
If you are wanting to become a professional accountant, a chartered accountant or a certified public accountant (certified by Chartered Accountants ANZ or CPA Australia), this is an ideal qualification for you. Incorporating case studies, applied assignments, and a workplace-based industry project, this applied qualification has industry collaboration and experience at its core.
Domestic
July
About the programme
Accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and CPA Australia, this qualification is the first step towards your career as an accounting professional.
Employment opportunities for accountants are currently 'good' with accounting services becoming increasingly important. The current trend of strong demand from private businesses and government institutions (e.g. for more accounting professionals) is forecast to continue rising.
This degree path incorporates case studies, applied assignments, and a workplace-based industry project. These focus on the accounting field’s technical and professional competencies — the skills needed by employers. This qualification has industry collaboration and experience at its core and enables you to be work-ready.
After graduation, you'll be in the perfect position to complete the professional requirements for full CA or ACA membership with CAANZ or membership with CPA Australia.
International
July
About the programme
Accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and CPA Australia, this qualification is the first step towards your career as an accounting professional.
Employment opportunities for accountants are currently 'good' with accounting services becoming increasingly important. The current trend of strong demand from private businesses and government institutions (e.g. for more accounting professionals) is forecast to continue rising.
This degree path incorporates case studies, applied assignments, and a workplace-based industry project. These focus on the accounting field’s technical and professional competencies — the skills needed by employers. This qualification has industry collaboration and experience at its core and enables you to be work-ready.
After graduation, you'll be in the perfect position to complete the professional requirements for full CA or ACA membership with CAANZ or membership with CPA Australia.
What You Study
Programme structure
You will begin by completing four core papers.
Level 5 and 6 courses are typically offered in Year 2, and Level 7 courses in Year 3.
The below is a tentative list of courses; check with the School of Business to find out if a particular course is available.
Courses
| Core courses | Credits |
| Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context | 15 |
| Business Environments | 15 |
| Business Functions | 15 |
| Change and Innovation | 15 |
| Level 5 courses | |
| Introduction to Accounting and Taxation | 15 |
| Applied Accounting | 15 |
| Analysis of Financial Information | 15 |
| Budgets for Planning and Control | 15 |
| Commercial Law | 15 |
| Economics | 15 |
| Level 6 courses | |
| Intermediate Management Accounting | 15 |
| Intermediate Financial Accounting | 15 |
| Taxation in Aotearoa New Zealand | 15 |
| Introduction to Finance | 15 |
| Data Analytics | 15 |
| Law of Business Entities | 15 |
| Research Methods | 15 |
| Accounting Information Systems | 15 |
| Level 7 courses | |
| Advanced Management Accounting | 15 |
| Advanced Financial Accounting | 15 |
| Auditing and Assurance | 15 |
| Professional Accounting Project | 30 |
Please note: All courses in this schedule are compulsory.
Becoming a Chartered Accountant with CA ANZ or a Certified Practicing Accountant with CPA Australia
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Accounting, graduates are required to further meet and complete the professional requirements.
Becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA) is a four-step process:
- Checking eligibility – academic eligibility; with the Bachelor of Applied Management (Accounting), you satisfy this eligibility criterion
- Applying for provisional membership
- Enrol in the CA programme and complete three years mentored practical experience
- Apply for full CA membership.
Check details and requirements about 'How to become a Chartered Accountant' with CA ANZ.
Becoming a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) with the CPA Australia is a sequential process.
- Entry into the CPA programme begins with a membership assessment application; the first step is to complete an online membership application to tell CPA about your degree.
- The online application process requires to upload digital copies of your original documents, including academic transcripts, which then gives you a provisional outcome based on the subjects in our accredited accounting degree. It is important to submit the application for these documents to be verified by the CPA assessment team.
Check details about 'How to apply for CPA Australia membership' and 'CPA membership FAQs'.
Workload
Your workload
In your first year of study, you will spend approximately 12 hours per week in a face-to-face learning environment. In addition, you should expect to spend another 25 hours per week in activities directed by your lecturer and/or in independent study.
The workload builds up from the second year and the coursework will require approximately 40 hours of both directed and self-directed study per week.
Class sizes are small, allowing for more one-on-one interaction and a supportive learning environment. As you progress through the qualification, directed study hours are reduced and your study becomes more self-directed.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- You must be 16 years old by the start of this programme.
- You also need to meet one of the following requirements:
- NCEA Level 3
- 14 credits in three approved subjects at Level 3
- 10 Literacy credits at Level 2 or above (5 reading/5 writing)
- 10 Numeracy credits at Level 1 or above made up of specified achievement standards, or three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627), or
- A satisfactory equivalent from another secondary qualification, or
- Successful completion of an approved qualification at Level 4 or above with a relevant pathway.
- If your are over 20 and do not meet the entry requirements, special admission may be possible.
- For all applicants who do not meet the entry requirements, discretionary admission may be possible.
- All applicants need to hold 10 NCEA Literacy credits at Level 2 or above (5 reading, 5 writing). If you cannot provide evidence of this, we may need you to demonstrate your capability using an approved proficiency test or an equivalent described in the NZQA rules.
English Language requirements
-
If English is not your first language, you must provide:
-
New Zealand University Entrance OR
-
Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
-
Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Don't meet the entry requirements?
We offer a couple of different pathways into this programme. You can either:
- Study our New Zealand Certificate in Business (Accounting Support Services) (Level 4) which will give you a solid understanding of the fundamentals of accounting, or
- If you meet eligibility requirements, you can study our New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) (Accounting), which will allow you to move seamlessly into the Bachelor degree.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
You will need to purchase some textbooks and cover any costs associated with field trips.
Multi-year fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
