Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Unitec Institute of TechnologyGraduate Diploma in Professional Accountancy
Level of Study
Graduate Certificate or Diploma
Summary
Are you an accounting graduate working towards the academic requirements for professional body membership? Do you have a New Zealand business degree or equivalent overseas qualification and would like to become an accountant?
This advanced-level programme will strengthen your accountancy skills. You will apply technical and professional standards, become a better team member and debate current issues in the field of accountancy. The programme provides an opportunity to apply your practical skills in the workplace.
Highlights- Carry out accounting work at an advanced level applying relevant technical and professional standards.
- Work toward meeting the academic requirements for professional body membership such as CA ANZ and CPA Australia. See the CPA Australia Accredited Courses list for further details.
- Complete a work placement and apply your skills within an organisation.
- The programme has been developed with input from accounting professionals.
- Flexible programme content – select the courses that best meet the requirements for your accounting career.
- Industry experienced lecturers.
- Flexible study options – full time, part-time, in the day and/or night classes.
This programme enables you to work towards the academic requirements for professional body membership (CA ANZ, CPA Australia). To reach this goal, you will need to ensure you carefully select the courses required for the relevant professional body’s membership.
To find out more about professional body membership visit:
Notes on coursesPlease note that if you don’t meet the prerequisite course requirements, you may need to achieve more than 120 credits and take longer than one year to complete the programme.
Career Options- Auditor,
- Business adviser,
- Chartered accountant,
- Chief financial officer,
- Divisional accountant,
- Financial accountant,
- Financial controller,
- Management accountant,
- Tax consultant
Domestic/NZ students
$8,000
(Approximate fees only - includes GST but excludes the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF) levy. Your final study costs depends on a number of factors including the courses you select to study. View options for funding your study and fees-free eligibility)
International students
$26,415 (NZD) (approximate fees for 120 credits) Save up to $2,000 (NZD) with the Unitec International Study Grant 2026. Terms and conditions apply.
Semester DatesSem 1 2026: 23 Feb – 28 Jun
Sem 2 2026: 20 Jul – 22 Nov
For course and class timings, refer to the specific course webpage.
For StudyLink purposes, please ensure your application states your earliest course start date.
Downloads and resourcesProgramme regulations - Graduate Diploma in Professional Accountancy Order a personalised brochure Scholarships and awardsStudent LifeFor Māori studentsFor Pacific studentsFor International students
Entry criteria
You must have completed the following:
- A recognised degree, a professional qualification in a relevant discipline or the ability to demonstrate competencies equivalent to the above
- A minimum of 8 credits at NCEA Level 2 in English (4 in reading, 4 in writing)
And meet one of the English entry requirements;
- A minimum of 12 credits at NCEA Level 2 English. or
- Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Applyonline, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
- If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.
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