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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
The Graduate Certificate of Accounting Studies will help you develop an understanding of accounting principles. This course articulates into the Graduate Diploma of Accounting Studies and the Master of Professional Accounting and can be your first step to an accounting career.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study accounting at CDU?
Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interest
Why study accounting at CDU?
Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.
- Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interests
- Placements available for some courses
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Why study accounting at CDU?
Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interest
Why study accounting at CDU?
Enhance your career and improve upon your previous accounting studies. You'll network with industry leaders while you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in roles across the finance and banking industry, as well as diverse roles in the public and private sector.
- Study electives from other areas to complement your career options or interests
- Placements available for some courses
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
What will I study?
The course structure includes the compulsory study of an accounting principles unit to equip you with specific skills and knowledge to help you apply underlying theory and concepts in a professional or academic context. You will then be able to select your remaining units from a list of accounting and business units offered in the Master of Professional Accounting to support your career goals.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core (1 unit) | 10cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 10 credit points as detailed below. ACT501 Accounting Principles |
Specialist Elective (3 units) | 30cp | Specialist Elective Units totalling 30 credit points selected from the below: ACT502 Management Accounting |
| 40 | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time or part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.
Full-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ACT501 Accounting Principles | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | ||
Part-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ACT501 Accounting Principles | CO | Specialist Elective 2 | SE |
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | Specialist Elective 3 | SE |
Specialist electives may be selected from the following:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| ACT502 Management Accounting | ACT502 Management Accounting |
| ACT503 Corporate Accounting | ACT503 Corporate Accounting |
| ACT504 Auditing | ACT504 Auditing |
| ACT505 Accounting Theory | ACT505 Accounting Theory |
| ACT506 Accounting Information Systems | ACT506 Accounting Information Systems |
| ECO505 Economics of Sustainability | ECO505 Economics of Sustainability |
| FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance | |
| LAW511 Australian Tax Law | LAW511 Australian Tax Law |
| LAW513 Corporate Law | |
| LAW514 Commercial Law | LAW514 Commercial Law |
| STA510 Business Statistics | STA510 Business Statistics |
Students commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard full time or part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.
Full-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ACT501 Accounting Principles | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | ||
Part-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| ACT501 Accounting Principles | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | ||
Specialist electives may be selected from the following:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| ACT502 Management Accounting | ACT502 Management Accounting |
| ACT503 Corporate Accounting | ACT503 Corporate Accounting |
| ACT504 Auditing | ACT504 Auditing |
| ACT505 Accounting Theory | ACT505 Accounting Theory |
| ACT506 Accounting Information Systems | ACT506 Accounting Information Systems |
| ECO505 Economics of Sustainability | ECO505 Economics of Sustainability |
| FIN510 Aspects of Corporate Finance | |
| LAW511 Australian Tax Law | LAW511 Australian Tax Law |
| LAW513 Corporate Law | |
| LAW514 Commercial Law | LAW514 Commercial Law |
| STA510 Business Statistics | STA510 Business Statistics |
Students Commencing in Summer Semester (part-time only)
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students commencing in Summer Semester and enrolling in a standard part-time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.
Part-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester | |||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||||
| ACT501 Accounting Principles | CO | ||||
| Specialist Elective 1 (ECO505) | SE | ||||
| Calendar Year 2 | |||||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||||
| Specialist Elective 3 | SE | ||||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised Bachelor degree in any discipline. Applicants who have fully satisfied the entry requirements of the accounting professional bodies are not eligible for entry. Consideration will be given to applicants who do not have one of the above qualifications, but have either:
- a combination of postgraduate qualifications and relevant professional experience in accounting and finance roles; or
- at least five years full time equivalent relevant professional experience in accounting and finance roles
Applicants applying with this pathway must provide further documentation detailing their employment experience (i.e. work experience certificate from an employer/s) and outlining their roles and achievements in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV) and a statement of purpose. The statement of purpose should address why you would like to be admitted into the course, career goals and aspirations and benefits the course will provide you.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - International students
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
I love CDU! The faculty staff give out such positive vibes, inspire you to work hard and cheer you on with every step you take.
Rafat
CDU student
I love CDU! The faculty staff give out such positive vibes, inspire you to work hard and cheer you on with every step you take.
Rafat
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn more about accounting at CDU
Rafat is a CDU Alumni from Bangladesh and studied a Master of Professional Accounting (Professional Practice). Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn more about accounting at CDU
Rafat is a CDU Alumni from Bangladesh and studied a Master of Professional Accounting (Professional Practice). Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
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