University
The University of WaikatoPostgraduate Certificate in Professional Accounting
This course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma
Duration
9 months
Next start date
Expected Jan 2027
Campus
Hamilton Campus
Summary
Complete the CA Program with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) before you enter the workforce with this new fast-track, part-time qualification.
If you're an accounting masters graduate looking for a fast-track route to complete the CA Program and pass all your exams before entering the workforce, we have the perfect course for you!
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Accounting (CA Program) will allow you to achieve the professional requirements of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (opens in a new tab) (CAANZ) in just 9 months of part-time study at university.
This process normally takes up to 3 years while juggling study and exams around a busy full-time job as an accountant.
The PGCertPA (CA Program) is delivered by the University of Waikato in partnership with CAANZ. It's ideal for anyone who has already graduated from our Master of Professional Accounting or our Bachelor of Business in Professional Accounting. Please see 'Entry requirements' below for more details.
The part-time course starts in January each year and finishes in September. Each eight-week module is taught face-to-face in Hamilton by our accounting lecturers at Waikato Management School through a mix of lectures and tutorials.
Exams will be held at the end of each module and externally assessed by CAANZ for quality assurance purposes.
This qualification is accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, so graduates will receive full membership status of CAANZ once they have gained three years' work experience in an accounting role.
Entry criteria
To be eligible to enrol for the PGCertPA, you must have completed one of the following qualifications at the University of Waikato:
- either the Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting pathway) with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300-level accounting papers; PLUS you must also have completed the Ethics and Business* CA module from CAANZ;
- or a Master of Professional Accounting (220 points) at the University of Waikato prior to 2024; PLUS you must also have completed the Ethics and Business* CA module from CAANZ;
- or a Master of Professional Accounting (180 points) at the University of Waikato (2024 onwards). You don't need to complete the ethics module, as this is already covered in the new MPAcct programme.
- or an equivalent qualification recognised by CAANZ.
* 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.
Note: This is a part-time programme taught over 9 months, so international students may not be eligible for a visa. We also offer a full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting (120 points).
To enrol for the PGCertPA, you must have completed one of the following qualifications at the University of Waikato:
- either the Bachelor of Business (Professional Accounting pathway) with at least a B-minus grade average across the 300-level accounting papers; PLUS you must also have completed the Ethics and Business* CA module from CAANZ;
- or a Master of Professional Accounting (220 points) at the University of Waikato prior to 2024; PLUS you must also have completed the Ethics and Business* CA module from CAANZ;
- or a Master of Professional Accounting (180 points) at the University of Waikato (2024 onwards). You don't need to complete the ethics module, as this is already covered in the new MPAcct programme.
- or an equivalent recognised qualification.
* 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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