University
The University of WaikatoPostgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma
Duration
10 months
Next start date
Expected Jan 2027
Campus
Hamilton Campus
Summary
This full-time professional qualification is designed for accounting graduates who want to complete the CA Program while still at university and hit the ground running when they enter the workforce.
Our Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting (CA Program) allows accounting graduates to complete all eight modules in the CA Program for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (opens in a new tab) (CA ANZ) before entering the workforce.
This full-time, 10-month programme develops the advanced knowledge required to become a Chartered Accountant. This course starts in January each year and finishes in October.
Normally it would take nearly three years to complete the CA Program through online study and exams, while also working full-time as a junior accountant. Instead, you can get it all done at university in less than a year!
Another major benefit of this qualification is that graduates may be eligible for a 1-year credit towards the three years of Mentored Practical Experience (MPE) required to achieve full CA membership. ** See details below.
The PGDip in Professional Accounting (CA Program) is delivered by the University of Waikato in partnership with CA ANZ. It's ideal for anyone who has already graduated from our Bachelor of Business in Professional Accounting , or our Master of Professional Accounting, or an equivalent qualification accredited by CA ANZ (opens in a new tab). Please see 'Entry requirements' below for more details.
Study with your peers in a supportive learning environment at the University of Waikato's campus in Hamilton, under the guidance of our experienced accounting lecturers.
In addition to completing all eight modules in the CA Program, you will gain research and report writing skills in two specialist accounting topics. Choose from the following options:
- International Accounting (ACCTN506)
- Forensic Accounting (Fraud and Analytics) (ACCTN541)
- Advanced Financial Reporting (ACCTN502)
- Advanced Management Accounting (ACCTN531)
The CA Program Exams will be held at the end of each module and externally assessed by CAANZ for quality assurance purposes.
Graduates of this programme will be in great demand with employers in both the government and corporate sectors.
Entry criteria
Who is this course suitable for? Entry requirementsTo be accepted for this course, you need to have already completed one of the following qualifications:
- Waikato’s Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting pathway) with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300 Level papers; PLUS you must also have completed the Ethics and Business* CA module from CAANZ.
- Waikato’s Master of Professional Accounting (180 points) – which includes business ethics
- An equivalent bachelor's or master's degree accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) (opens in a new tab), and subject to approval by the University of Waikato’s Academic Board.
If you do not meet these entry requirements, please talk to one of our study advisors in the Management Student Centre to find out what additional papers you may need to complete first. Email msc@waikato.ac.nz (opens in a new tab)
* This two-week ethics module is offered four times a year in January, March, June, and September. Enrolments close two weeks before the start date. You can study the module online through CAANZ, once you have applied to gain provisional membership (opens in a new tab) of CAANZ.
Who is this course suitable for? Entry requirementsTo be accepted for this course, you need to have already completed one of the following qualifications:
- Waikato’s Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting pathway) with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300 Level papers; PLUS you must also have completed the Ethics and Business* CA module from CAANZ.
- Waikato’s Master of Professional Accounting (180 points) – which includes business ethics
- An equivalent bachelor's or master's degree accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) (opens in a new tab), and subject to approval by the University of Waikato’s Academic Board.
If you do not meet these entry requirements, please talk to one of our study advisors in the Management Student Centre to find out what additional papers you may need to complete first. Email msc@waikato.ac.nz
* This two-week ethics module is offered four times a year in January, March, June, and September. Enrolments close two weeks before the start date. You can study the module online through CAANZ, once you have applied to gain provisional membership (opens in a new tab) of CAANZ.
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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.