Master of Professional Accounting

Master of Professional Accounting

This internationally recognised masters degree will prepare you to launch a professional career in accounting after just 14 months of study. Start your academic journey towards becoming a Chartered Accountant today.

The Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcct) is designed especially for students who have never studied accounting before at university-level, but already have a bachelor's degree in another subject area, such as arts, teaching, law or economics.

It provides a professional qualification that is recognised and respected by employers in New Zealand and around the world, making it easier to find work overseas.

Over 14 months, you will develop advanced skills and knowledge in all the core areas of accounting and business, and be able to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to practical accounting situations.

On completion, you'll be ready to start work in a public accounting practice, or at a commercial firm or organisation. It provides the ideal platform to start your journey towards becoming a Chartered Accountant.

All of the papers in this 220-point masters degree are compulsory. You will learn about financial and management accounting, accounting information systems, commercial and corporate law, auditing, taxation, finance, and economics for business.

There are two intakes for this course each year, so you can start in either November (T Semester) or January (S Semester). Please note it is a full-time and intensive course.

Gain membership of three professional accounting bodies

Waikato's Master of Professional Accounting is approved by three of the world's largest professional accounting bodies.

This means our graduates can apply for provisional membership of all three, making it your passport to work overseas and expand your networks.

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
• Chartered Accountants Australia + New Zealand
• CPA Australia

Waikato has an international reputation

You'll be studying at Waikato Management School, a Triple Crown international business school accredited by EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB since 2005. This is a global benchmark of excellence in teaching and research, achieved by less than 1% of the world's business schools.

Gain a master's degree from a university ranked in the world's top 150 for the subjects of Accounting, Finance, and Business & Management Studies, by the prestigious QS Subject Rankings.

Professional accounting internship or research project

As part of this degree, you have the option to take either a professional accounting internship in the workplace (ACCT583) or an 8-10,000-word research project on a contemporary accounting issue (ACCT582).

Cultural experience

Waikato Management School has a vibrant student culture that offers plenty of social and learning opportunities.

You can meet like-minded people through student clubs, such as:

• Waikato Management School Students' Association (WMSSA)
• Beta Alpha Psi - Waikato Chapter (Accounting club)
• Economics Discussion Group
• Finance division of WMSSA
• Te Ranga Ngaku - the Maori management student network

Check out the Waikato Management School Facebook page for the latest news and events.

Practical Experience

As part of this degree, you have the option to take either a professional accounting internship in the workplace (ACCT583) or an 8-10,000-word research project on a contemporary accounting issue (ACCT582).

Admission and enrolment

You can apply for the MPAcct if you:

• Have a bachelor's degree in any subject area, or equivalent, and
• Have achieved at least a B-minus grade average in your final year.

International students must have an equivalent qualification from a recognised university, and meet the English language requirements.