Graduate Diploma in Accounting
The qualification is ideal if you already hold an appropriate degree, or professional or scholarly experience, and you want to pursue an accounting-related career. With this qualification, you'll gain the skillset and knowledge to record, process, prepare and analyse information to facilitate or make financial and non-financial decisions. Incorporating case studies, applied assignments, and a workplace-based industry project, this qualification provides a seamless transition towards an accounting career.
Domestic
July
About the programme
Got an aptitude for numbers and analysis? Get an accounting qualification.
The Graduate Diploma in Accounting is suitable for those who may be seeking a promotion within their current job or who want to broaden their skill base.
This programme will allow you to extend your knowledge in a complementary discipline without having to undertake a full degree.
With a skillset in accounting, you will be in constant demand for your ability to plan and record the financial performance of every kind of commercial venture. You could work in a diverse range of organisations including public sector entities, national and multinational corporations, NGOs and self-employment options.
During this programme, you will gain the knowledge and skills to record and process financial transactions, prepare financial statements in accordance with accounting practices in New Zealand, prepare cash budgets and produce accounting information to facilitate management decisions. In addition to required courses, you will complete an applied industry project.
You'll benefit from the guidance and support of highly experienced staff whose main focus is on providing you with industry-relevant skills; the skills and knowledge you can apply in the real world of finance and accounting.
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer part-time study options - talk to us about what suits you best!
International
July
About the programme
Got a head for numbers? Get an accounting qualification.
This programme is useful for people who may be seeking a promotion within their current job or who want to broaden their skill base.
It allows you to extend your knowledge in a complementary discipline without having to undertake a full degree.
With a skillset in accounting you will be in constant demand for your ability to plan and record the financial performance of every kind of commercial venture. You could work in a diverse range of organisations, including public sector entities, national and multi-national corporations, NGO’s and self-employment options.
During this programme, you'll learn how to record and process financial transactions and prepare financial statements and cash budgets for entities in accordance with current accounting practices in New Zealand. You'll do a series of compulsory accounting courses and complete a practical industry project.
Benefit from the guidance and support of highly experienced staff whose main focus is on providing you with industry-relevant skills that you can apply directly to the real-world of finance and accounting.
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible We also offer part-time study options - talk to us about what suits you best!
What You Study
Courses
To successfully graduate, you will need to complete 120 credits of learning, 75 of which must be from Level 7 courses.
| Compulsory courses | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
Intermediate Financial Accounting Learn how to prepare general purpose financial reports for companies and partnerships, following New Zealand International Reporting Standards. |
6 | 15 |
|
Intermediate Management Accounting This course looks at topics including production cost estimations, operational budgeting, and other pricing and reporting processes within management accounting. |
6 | 15 |
|
Taxation in New Zealand An introduction to taxation legislation in New Zealand and tax accounting including GST and Fringe Benefit Tax for sole traders, partnerships, companies, and trusts. |
6 | 15 |
|
Advanced Financial Accounting Develop an understanding of advanced concepts within financial accounting and reporting, particularly financial instruments and foreign exchange. |
7 | 15 |
|
Advanced Management Accounting Extend your understanding of management and cost accounting approaches including value chain analysis, strategic pricing, lean manufacturing, risk analysis, financing, and performance analysis through case studies. |
7 | 15 |
|
Organisational Research Design Learn how to form and scope a proposal for an investigation; apply critical reasoning to select appropriate research approach(es), management concepts, theories and tools to conduct an investigation and comply with legal and ethical standards of research. |
7 | 15 |
|
Industry Project for Professional Accounting This provides an opportunity to balance theory with applied learning in your workplace or host organisation and tailor your studies accordingly to your interest. The project involves a workload of 200 hours, completing a written research project investigating an issue/problem that adds value to the organisation. This industry project will be useful in developing teamwork, communication, and other soft skills/capabilities and in helping establish industry connections post-graduation. |
7 | 30 |
| Total | 120 |
Please note: This is a tentative schedule of courses. The School of Business reserves the right to change the occurrence of a course.
Further study options
Progress into higher levels of learning and enhance your employment potential with a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Management or Master of Applied Management.
Workload
Your workload
Your programme of study will generally include lectures and seminars/tutorials. You will be expected to contribute approximately 40 hours of both directed and self-directed study per week for successful completion of the qualification.
You will also complete a 200-hour industry project, gaining workplace based learning experience and developing important industry and business connections.
Entry
Entry requirements
- An undergraduate degree or appropriate degree-equivalent practical, professional or scholarly experience.
- 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 NZQA proficiency table and here for a list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
You will be required to purchase some textbooks during this programme and also cover any costs associated with field trips and the industry project.
Tuition 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.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
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.
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.
