Accounting

What is accounting? 

At its core, Accounting is how you understand and run a successful business. It’s the language of business, helping you interrogate and communicate what is going on in an organisation. Just as a doctor reads vital signs to assess a patient’s health, accounting provides critical metrics that reveal a business’ past performance, current position, and future prospects.

By giving you the skills to interpret and translate business numbers into meaningful insights, accounting enables you to make smart business decisions, whether it’s resolving cash flow challenges, setting pricing strategies, leveraging profits for growth, or optimizing operations for efficiency.

In today’s AI-driven and rapidly evolving world, accounting skills are more essential than ever - not merely for reporting but for the business acumen it enables to power sustainable growth and long-term success. It’s the skill that transforms ambition into action and data into decisions, making it indispensable for thriving businesses and visionary leaders.

Why study accounting at UNSW Business School? 

At UNSW Business School, we’re redefining accounting education to prepare you for the challenges of a rapidly evolving, AI-enabled business world. Here’s why our program stands out:

• Future-Focused Curriculum: Our innovative teaching goes beyond traditional accounting knowledge. We focus on showing you how accounting can be used to drive business success.
• Partnerships: UNSW collaborates with leading organizations to bring industry expertise into the classroom. Learn from global thought leaders and gain exposure to real-world challenges.
• Expert Faculty: Learn from internationally recognized academics shaping the future of accounting research and practice.

Through UNSW’s accounting study options, you’ll also access Career Accelerator—an exclusive, sector-leading suite of employability programs offered exclusively by UNSW Business School. It provides tailored internships and professional development opportunities to align with your unique career goals.

Gain professional recognition

We’re recognised as an approved tertiary institution for the purpose of membership qualifications with the following professional organisations: 

• CPA Australia
• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) 
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) 
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)   
• Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)  

As part of our Master of Professional Accounting (Extension) program, you have the option to integrate the CPA Program into your studies, allowing you to meet all the educational requirements for CPA designation while earning your degree—a significant time-saving advantage.

Your career opportunities

Accounting skills give you a significant career advantage, no matter where your career takes you. With accounting, you will be prepared to take on diverse and exciting career paths in the following areas.

• Strategic Leadership: Become a Chief Financial Officer (CFO – a common stepping stone to CEO), guiding organizations with data-driven insights.
• Financial Planning and Analysis: Shape strategic decisions by analysing data, forecasting, and budgeting. Provide insights that drive growth, efficiency, and financial success.
• Corporate Reporting: Support the delivery of accurate and transparent financial information, and communicating that information to key stakeholders so they can make informed investment decisions.
• Business Advisory: Help businesses identify opportunities, manage risks, and optimize performance.
• Audit: Verify financial records, evaluate internal controls, and identify reporting and business risks. Audit is a critical role that builds stakeholder trust in financial information.
• Entrepreneurship: Launch and grow your own business with the financial acumen to make it thrive.
• Financial Markets: Influence investment decisions as an analyst, auditor, or portfolio manager.
• Fraud examination: Financial Crime: Become a forensic accountant and join the fight against fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes.
• Corporate Recovery: Play a pivotal role in helping businesses navigate financial distress, working with companies to improve cash flow and develop strategies for turnaround and growth.

Accounting skills are also highly in demand across all industry sectors. It is your launchpad into industries as varied as tech, healthcare, manufacturing, and government. The possibilities are endless!

Study with us

What our graduates say

"Since teaching staff were passionate about the topics they were teaching, they encouraged us to stretch our perspectives and challenge our thoughts".

- Edwin Ho, Director, Audit