Accounting
Study in accounting provides capability and credibility across a broad spectrum of careers. It opens the door to many other markets and professions where the ability to understand and interpret financial information is the key capability. Students are provided with the opportunity to develop strong, technical, analytical and problem solving skills, whilst keeping abreast of contemporary issues in accounting practice. A feature of the Business School's program is that it takes an analytical perspective of how accounting is practised and how it should be practised. These and other questions are explored in an atmosphere that encourages a sense of enquiry.
Options for studying Accounting
Accounting is available as Table A major and minor options in the Bachelor of Commerce, the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws, the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce and the Bachelor of Advanced Computing and Bachelor of Commerce.
Please note. Students cannot complete both a major and a minor in Accounting for their degree.
Students wishing to pursue professional accounting accreditation can complete the Professional Accounting program instead of the Accounting major – please refer to Accounting (Professional) subject area for details.
Pathways through the major and minor
The requirements for a major/minor in Accounting are spread out over three years of the degree (possibly four years if students are completing a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree).
(i) Accounting major
To achieve a major in Accounting, students must complete 48 credit points comprising:
- 12 credit points of 1000-level core units of study;
- 12 credit points of 2000-level core units of study;
- 12 credit points of 3000-level core units of study; and
- 12 credit points of 3000-level selective units of study.
A sample pathway for the Accounting major (over three years of a degree) is listed below.
| Year | Session | Units of study | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Semester 1 | Core: BUSS1030 Accounting, Business and Society * | |
| Semester 2 | Core: ACCT1006 Accounting and Financial Management | ||
| Second | Semester 1 | Core: ACCT2011 Financial Accounting A | |
| Semester 2 | Core: ACCT2012 Management Accounting A | ||
| Third | Semester 1 | Core: ACCT3011 Financial Accounting B | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major |
| Semester 2 | Core: ACCT3600 Accounting and Auditing in Practice ** | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major | |
* This unit is also degree core for the Bachelor of Commerce and related combined degrees.
** Capstone unit for major – completed in final semester of study
Please Note. This sample progression is meant as an example only. Depending on unit prerequisites, students may be able to complete these units in a different sequence to that displayed in the table above.
For details of the core and selective units of study required for the major or minor please refer to the Accounting section of the unit of study table, Table A in this handbook.
(ii) Accounting minor
To achieve a minor in Accounting, students must complete 36 credit points comprising:
- 12 credit points of 1000-level core units of study;
- 12 credit points of 2000-level core units of study; and
- 12 credit points of 3000-level selective units of study.
A sample pathway for the Accounting minor (over three years of a degree) is listed below.
| Year | Session | Units of study |
|---|---|---|
| First | Semester 1 | Core: BUSS1030 Accounting, Business and Society * |
| Semester 2 | Core: ACCT1006 Accounting and Financial Management | |
| Second | Semester 1 | Core: ACCT2011 Financial Accounting A |
| Semester 2 | Core: ACCT2012 Management Accounting A | |
| Third | Semester 1 | Selective: 3000-level unit listing for minor |
| Semester 2 | Selective: 3000-level unit listing for minor |
* This unit is also degree core for the Bachelor of Commerce and related combined degrees.
Please Note. This sample progression is meant as an example only. Depending on unit prerequisites, students may be able to complete these units in a different sequence to that displayed in the table above.
For details of the core and selective units of study required for the major or minor please refer to the Accounting section of the unit of study table, Table A in this handbook.
Honours
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced studies who complete a major in Accounting (within the first three years of their degree) may be eligible to complete honours in Accounting as their fourth year of study in this program.
For details the requirements for admission to honours and the structure of the honours program, please refer to Business School Honours.
Further information
For further information regarding study in accounting at the University of Sydney, please refer to the Discipline of Accounting.