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 UC Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research-only degree carried out under expert supervision and using world-class facilities.

A PhD involves extensive, sustained and original research and study in your chosen subject, with the results being presented in a thesis that will contribute to intellectual knowledge of the field. It is a mark of intellectual ability, self-discipline and commitment. A PhD prepares you for a number of careers, including as an academic.

The minimum period of enrolment for a full-time candidate is two years and the maximum period four years; most PhD students take between three and three-and-a-half years.

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

Enrolment in a PhD requires completion of a research-focused honours or master's degree at first-class or second-class division 1 level (or equivalent qualifications). Applicants with qualifications from outside New Zealand must have been granted admission to the University.

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.