Course details

Summary

The study of Accounting covers a wide range of accounting practices and theories in a number of different contexts, providing a solid foundation for a successful professional career.

Accountants provide important financial information for key external groups such as owners, investors and regulators as well as assisting managers with insight that allows them to make organisational decisions. Alongside this, accountants verify the accuracy and reliability of financial information (auditing), assess risk and ensure taxation laws are adhered to.

The subject is therefore divided into:

• financial accounting and reporting
• cost and management accounting
• auditing and assurance
• taxation
• other relevant areas, including sustainability reporting.

‌The Certificate in Commerce (CertCom) is an option if you want to add commerce content alongside your non-commerce degree, or do not want to study the full Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Recommended preparation

While some previous study of accounting is useful preparation, it is not essential to have studied accounting at secondary school level.

A background in statistics is recommended. However, accounting is not all number-oriented, and a good grounding in spoken and written English communication is essential.

Students with very good Year 13 results in accounting may be offered direct entry to 200-level Accounting courses at the discretion of the Head of Department of Accounting and Information Systems (ACIS).

Qualification structure and duration

The certificate is made up of four standard courses (a minimum of 60 points) from any course in the Bachelor of Commerce Schedule C.

The CertCom can be completed in up to four years.

Credit from your completed courses can be transferred to the Bachelor of Commerce (and some other degrees), as long as you have not graduated with the certificate beforehand.

Further study

The Certificate in Commerce is good preparation towards the full Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Career opportunities

As a specialist in accounting you will be able to work in a variety of fields throughout your career. The most common positions are: Chartered Accountant, Accounting Manager, Auditor, Consultant, Credit Analyst, Manager or Executive, Chief Financial Officer.

You can focus on a range of areas such as tax, audit, financial management, investment analysis, business services, company or treasury systems accountancy, government finance or third sector development work. UC Accounting graduates get work in a wide variety of roles around the world.

Many Accounting major graduates go on to become chartered accountants, through Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, or become members of CPA (Australia) or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). For membership of some of these professional bodies your Bachelor of Commerce degree must include specific courses (see 'Courses' section above and refer to the individual association website for more information). For further advice you can also contact the Department of Accounting and Information Systems.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Certificate in Arts. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.