University
The University of WaikatoMaster of Professional Accounting
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Master's Degree
Duration
12 months
Next start date
Expected Nov 2026
Campus
Hamilton Campus
Summary
This internationally recognised master's accounting degree prepares you to launch a career as a professional accountant with just 12 months of full-time study.
Waikato's Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcct) is tailor-made for university graduates who already have a bachelor's degree in another area.
This internationally recognised qualification provides the ideal springboard to launch your career as a professional accountant. You don't need to have studied accounting before at school or university.
The 12-month programme (180 points) has two intakes each year, so you can start in either January or November. Please note this is an accelerated course with an intensive workload.
Waikato's MPAcct qualification is globally accredited by four of the world's largest industry accounting bodies - CAANZ, CPA Australia, CIMA, and ACCA. This means our graduates can join any one of these four organisations as a provisional member, opening the door to a huge range of benefits and job opportunities.
This degree is also respected by top employers, including the 'Big Four' professional services firms: Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG.
During the one-year programme, you will develop advanced knowledge and skills in all the core areas of accounting, business, law, economics and finance, and be able to apply them to practical accounting situations.
Topics covered include management and financial accounting, accounting information systems and processes, performance reporting, auditing, taxation, business law, strategic decision-making, quantitative skills for economics and finance, and economics for business.
Once you graduate, you will be ready to start work as an accountant in either a public practice, commercial firm or organisation.
Please note: You will still need to gain three years' work experience and pass your Professional Exams with one of the four organisations below before you can apply to become a fully qualified Chartered Accountant.
- Chartered Accountants Australia + New Zealand (CAANZ)
- CPA Australia
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Entry criteria
You can apply for the Master of Professional Accounting if you:
- Have a bachelor's degree in any subject area
- Have achieved at least a B-minus grade average in your final year of study
You can apply for the Master of Professional Accounting if you:
- Have a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in any subject area
- Have achieved at least a B-minus grade average in your final year of study
International students must have an equivalent degree qualification from a recognised university, and meet the University of Waikato's English language requirements.
If you do not meet these requirements, you can enrol in an English language programme with our University of Waikato College.
Disclaimer
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Please note that degrees and qualifications earned via remote or distance learning are excluded from the overseas credential evaluation and recognition services provided by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). For more information, please contact CSCSE directly: +86-10-62677800 (phone) or visit their website(external link that opens in a new tab).
You can learn more about international recognition of New Zealand qualifications on the NZQA website.