Bachelor of Business (Professional Accountancy)

4 years full-time

Learning and teaching

Classes for full-time students are usually held between 8.30 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

RMIT's new Swanston Academic Building offers interactive lecture and tutorial spaces, lectorial theatres, small-group rooms and other innovative spaces.

RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions and syndicate work. These are primarily in English.

You will have access to the Learning Hub and other online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal.

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory projects and practical assignments.

Program structure

Year 1

You’ll do 7 of the compulsory common business core courses plus 1 accounting major course.

Year 2

You’ll study the final compulsory common business core course, 1 flexible course, and focus on your major by completing 4 accounting courses and 2 compulsory specialist accounting courses.

These specialist courses include Taxation 1 and Auditing 1 which must be successfully completed in order to meet the requirements for admission for membership of professional accounting bodies in Australia.

Year 3

The third year involves a compulsory work-integrated learning (WIL) component in the form of a cooperative education placement.

Year 4

You’ll complete courses in your major area of study, flexible courses, and the Business Design Project courses - capstone courses that relate to your supervised work placement.

In the Business Design Project courses you’ll need to produce a brief that outlines a current or potential business issue. You must then reflect on theory, test creative solutions, communicate the issue; and demonstrate your ability to analyse and problem-solve in a coherent manner.

Flexible courses can be selected from a business or other discipline minor, or from Student Electives.

Business minors include:

• accountancy
• business information systems
• economics
• economics and finance
• entrepreneurship
• finance
• human resource management
• international business
• logistics and supply chain management
• management
• marketing
• sustainable enterprise.

Other minors can be chosen from many disciplines offered across RMIT.

You are advised to check detailed information about which elective and minor courses are offered each year, as well as general information about the program structure and the professional practice requirements at www.rmit.edu.au/bus/academicprograms.

Check our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information on the 4-year Bachelor of Business programs.

The following program structure(s) is an example of what students are currently studying in this program.

You'll integrate work and learning activities through our Cooperative Education Program which is a compulsory paid industry placement done in you third year.

In addition you will undertake specialist accounting work-integrated learning courses such as Cost Management and Applications, Accounting Theory and Strategic Decision Making for Accountants.

Guiding the development of the College of Business, both nationally and internationally, is an Industry Advisory Board of high-profile executives chaired by Gerhard Vorster, Chief Strategy Officer, Deloitte. The Board creates a strategic bridge between the latest in technology and design thinking and business.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

About one-third of graduates gain employment in public accounting practices, supporting staff teams in areas such as auditing, taxation, management consulting, business services and receivership.

Others are recruited into commercial and government organisations in treasury, internal audit, strategic business planning, financial reporting and management accounting roles.

The job prospects for accounting students and graduates are excellent. A 2010 survey by Graduate Careers Australia found 26.8% of accounting graduates enjoyed full-time work in their final year and were still with the same employer 4 months after graduation - it was 15.7% across all disciplines. The survey also found that 79.1% of all accounting graduates seeking full-time employment had found it.

Professional recognition and accreditation

The Bachelor of Business (Professional Accountancy) is accredited by CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

Graduates are entitled to associate membership of all the professional accounting bodies: CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and the Institute of Public Accountants, provided auditing and taxation subjects are passed.

To gain full membership you must then undertake the chosen professional body's qualification program and gain three years relevant practical experience.

In addition, living and working in countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore or Malaysia gives graduates the option of applying for entry into the final stages of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification program.

Specialised accounting study tours to Europe and North America are offered annually, subject to demand, and can be credited towards your degree.

To help you gain an international perspective on your studies and professional knowledge, study tour scholarships have previously been offered by CPA Australia, WHK Horwath, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and Global Study Connections.

Other study tour destinations include Canada, China, France, Germany, Thailand, USA and Vietnam.

You must meet the University entry requirements for this type of program.

Program entry requirements

Prerequisites

Current Year 12 prerequisite units 3 and 4—a study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or at least 25 in any other English.

Selection tasks

None

1. Check program entry requirements and confirm you're eligible.

2. Check and complete the selection tasks (if applicable) by the relevant closing date - these tasks are listed in the program entry requirements.

3. Check the table below for how to apply.

4. Apply using the appropriate method by the closing date.

Application method

Equity access

If circumstances have interrupted or disadvantaged your access to education, RMIT offers equity access schemes that allow selection officers to give applicants extra consideration, which may improve your prospects of studying at RMIT.

Tuition fees vary according to program and are adjusted annually.

In a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) your tuition fee is shared between you and the Commonwealth Government - if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Fee assistance

As a Commonwealth supported student, you may be able to either:

• pay all or part of your student contribution up front and receive a 10% discount, or
• defer your tuition fees through the HECS-HELP loan scheme.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds. Learn more about RMIT Scholarships.

Other fees

In addition to tuition fees you will also pay the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF). You may be able to defer the fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme.

There may be other additional expenses and administrative fees associated with your studies.

Graduates of the following programs may be eligible to apply for exemptions:

• Advanced Diploma of Accounting
• Advanced Diploma of Advertising
• Associate Degree in Business
• Diploma of Business Administration
• Diploma of Financial Planning
• Diploma of Information Technology
• Advanced Diploma of International Business
• Diploma of Logistics
• Diploma of Management
• Advanced Diploma of Marketing

An Honours year program is available to exceptional students.

Learn more about pathways or if you are eligible for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Accounting

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