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.

A Master of Commerce degree will allow you to learn more about your chosen subject area, critically view the world and carry out an independent piece of research. These knowledge, skills and competencies mean MCom graduates are well-prepared for professional roles and business consulting.

If you have been following the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) programme (now the Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand), study in the MCom programme counts as one year of professional experience.

The Master of Commerce graduate

As an MCom graduate you will be able to:

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of contemporary thought and developments within your specific research area
• evaluate the implications of your own research findings for the wider body of relevant academic literature
• synthesise academic literature and communicate research findings, both orally and in written form, consistent with academics working in your chosen discipline.

Qualification structure

The Master of Commerce degree consists of 180 points of which between 90-120 points is coursework (between six and nine courses), and a 90-point thesis or a 60-point dissertation.

Further study

UC offers a Doctor of Philosophy in a number of commerce subjects.

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

Students must have completed one of the following:

• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Science in Economics or Finance, Computer Science or Management Science
• or a bachelor's degree and relevant graduate diploma.

Prerequisites vary between majors, but normally good grades in 300-level courses in the subject concerned are required.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade; CAE or CPE score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 64 and no PTE communicative skills score below 58.