Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)

Course information for - 2024 entry

Offered at 3 locations

Duration
3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
CRICOS Code
108631E
IELTS
Overall IELTS score of 6.0 with minimum scores of 6.0 in speaking and writing, and 5.5 in listening and reading
Fees (first year)*
$29664
Start dates
July 2024, February 2025, July 2025, February 2026, July 2026

Overview

Accounting is the backbone of the business world. Regardless of the economic outlook, accountants are always in demand and can be found in every industry. Our Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) has your career goals in mind. Upon graduating you'll be ready to launch straight into your accounting career thanks to our Future Ready employability program, designed to systematically build each of the elements of your personal brand: your professional identity; experience; job-ready skills; and networks.

When you begin, our unique business foundation program, co-created with industry, assists you as you transition to university study and provides a solid foundation of business skills. From there you will focus on your specialisation in accounting which is accredited by all peak accounting bodies.

Practical skills are important. So you’ll benefit from a range of community and industry placements during your degree. In class, you’ll take part in workshops and will learn through gamified business simulations based on real-world situations. Plus, MS EXCEL Associate and EXCEL expert certifications are wired into your studies – so you can tick Microsoft certification off your to-do list and get an edge in the job market. 

In today’s world, you need professional, technical and cross-cultural skills. All our units are embedded with the United Nations sustainable goals and our intercultural communication module is designed to build cultural awareness and communication skills which are vital in the global workplace. You can further extend your intercultural experience by taking part in a Global Virtual Classroom, studying at our Rome Campus or participating in an international study tour.

  • Accredited by international and local industry professional bodies

  • Work ready Future Ready employability program, co-designed by industry

  • Global opportunities Global Virtual Classrooms, study at our Rome Campus or study overseas

Professional experience

You’ll gain up to 175 hours of workplace and community experience before you even graduate.

Work placement

As part of our Work Integrated Learning program you’ll gain 105 hours of industry placement in your area of specialisation. We have embedded employability into your degree with our Future Ready program where we build on your professional skills each year, supporting you every step of the way. These placements will give you the confidence, knowledge and skills to prepare for your future profession. You’ll learn to apply what you learn in the classroom to real life scenarios.

Community engagement

As part of your degree you’ll have the opportunity to work with not-for-profit organisations with 35 to 70 hours of community engagement experience. You’ll foster knowledge and understanding and its application within communities experiencing marginalisation and disadvantage while applying ethical personal and professional skills developed during your studies at ACU.

Accreditation

Our Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) comes with a range of relevant credentials, such as CPA AustraliaChartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Institute of Public Accountants.

PRME - Principles for Responsible Management Education - As an Advanced PRME signatory of PRME, the Faculty of Law and Business has a strong emphasis on governance, ethical leadership, social responsibility, and sustainability embedded in their programs.

Careers

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce Accounting can enter the accounting profession in a range of careers including management accountant, auditor, forensic accounting, financial advisor or corporate accountant.

Industry partnerships

We enjoy deep industry connections with many well-known organisations across Australia. Our relationships with these organisations includes internships, guest lectures, international study tours and collaborations with industry, community and government departments to undertake consulting and research projects with industry partners. 

Here are just a few of our host partners for business: 

  • Adecco 
  • Cisco Mentor Me
  • Capgemini 
  • Practera 
  • Live Melbourne 
  • Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 
  • NSW Business Chamber 
  • Ozcare 
  • Impact for Women 
  • Brisbane Paralympic Football Program 
  • Premium Foods Australia

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • Specified Business UnitsBUSN104Money Matters

    (Inc: ACCT100, BUSD104)

    10 cp
  • Specified Business UnitsITEC100Information Technology in Action

    (Inc: BUSN111, BUSD111 BUSZ111, ITED100, ITEZ100) 

    10 cp
  • Specified Business UnitsBUSN112Managing Markets

    (Inc: MKTG100, BUSD112)

    10 cp
  • Specified Business UnitsBUSN113Managing People and Organisations

    (Inc: MGMT100, BUSD113)

    10 cp
  • Specialisation UnitsACCT210Accounting Foundations

    (Pre: BUSN104)

    (Inc: ACCT100, ACCD210)

    10 cp
  • Specialisation UnitsLEGL101Introduction to Business Law: Legal Frameworks for Businesses10 cp
  • Electives General Elective 110 cp
  • Core Curriculum UnitsCore Curriculum Unit 1See the ACU Core Curriculum page for details10 cp

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit. 

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Bachelor - AQF Level 7

Overseas study available

We offer two business units at our Rome Campus: BIPX202 and BUSN304 (an elective unit). The dates for these units are to be confirmed.

Entry requirements

View transparency admission information

International applicants

If you’re an international applicant you’ll need the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate.

Find the equivalent qualification for your country

You’ll also need to comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including the English Language Proficiency requirements of an overall academic IELTS score of 6.0 (with minimum scores of 6.0 in speaking and writing, and 5.5 in listening and reading)..

See the language requirements

If you’re an international student completing one of the following qualifications, you will need to apply for admission through your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC) and be assessed on your performance in these studies (i.e. your ATAR or equivalent):

  • an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia)
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
  • a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

English language requirements

An overall academic IELTS score of 6.0 (with minimum scores of 6.0 in speaking and writing, and 5.5 in listening and reading).

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Pathways into course for international applicants

If you don’t currently meet the direct entry requirements for admission to your chosen program, don’t worry. Our range of pathway programs can help you build the language proficiency, academic skills and confidence you need to succeed.

Find out more about English language programs

Find out more about the ACU Foundation Studies program

Find out more about Diploma pathways

Further study

The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) can lead to further post graduate studies in business such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Fees

Course costs

  • Unit fee: $3708
  • Average first year fee: $29664
  • Estimate total cost: $88992

Course costs cover course fees only.

Additional costs

Students should expect to pay for additional materials including but not limited to textbooks and course specific software as required to fully participate in the degree. The cost of international travel for international study experiences is not included in the fees.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

How to apply

International applicants

Brisbane

Apply through QTAC

QTAC code

Direct application

Apply now

International applicants can apply through direct application. International students undertaking an Australian Year 12 qualification should apply through the relevant tertiary admissions centre.

Deferment

Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.

Staff Profile

Associate Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman

Associate Professor, Peter Faber Business School

Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman is the Discipline Leader in Accounting, Finance and Economics and a lecturer in finance. He worked as lecturer in finance at the University of Newcastle. He also worked as a Curriculum Technical Advisor at Kaplan Professional Australia.

Dr Akhtaruzzaman received his PhD from the University of Newcastle, Australia. His main teaching areas are financial institutions management, corporate finance, investments and business analysis. His research interests include asset pricing, financial contagion, interest rate risk and capital adequacy.

Dr Victoria Obeng

Lecturer, Peter Faber Business School

Dr Obeng is a lecturer with Peter Faber Business School. She has worked in industry as teaching consultant for finance and a board member of a finance company. She has teaching experiences from different parts of the world. She has taught in Latrobe University, University of Ghana, and Ghana Technology University College in the areas of financial accounting, auditing and management accounting. Her research interests include corporate governance, board diversity, earnings management, corporate financial reporting and disclosure and the accounting regulatory environment. She has published several research papers in her early academic career and refereed journal articles in her research areas. She is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana.

Testimonial

Shane

“The staff at ACU are wonderful and I’ve always had positive experiences here. The lecturers are always guiding me in the right direction, taking time out of their day and going out of their way to help me succeed in my studies.

In the professional experience unit, I have been supported to use my own start-up as a form of placement. Here, I can continue to work on my own business, gaining hands-on entrepreneurial and business skills from my venture. In addition to this, I can apply what I have learnt during my studies, turning theories and concepts into a tangible asset; a huge learning and experience benefit from placement.” 

Shane
Bachelor of Commerce
 

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