Accounting
Accounting is the language of business. A 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.
The Accounting major and minor are also available to students not enrolled in a Commerce degree through the shared pool (Table S) - see the Interdisciplinary Studies Handbook for details.
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.
Note: All units listed are worth 6 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
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 this table.
| 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: ACCT2019 Management Accounting | ||
| 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 the major – completed in the final semester of study for that major. This unit of study must be completed at the University of Sydney Business School.
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.
Students can also refer to the University's Current Students website for progression examples for specific major/minor combinations for their degree.
(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.
Note: All units listed are worth 6 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
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 this table.
| 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: ACCT2019 Management Accounting | |
| 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.
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.
Students can also refer to the University's Current Students website for progression examples for specific major/minor combinations for their degree.
Bachelor of Advanced Studies with Honours in Accounting
Note. Honours in Accounting commences in semester one; there is no mid-year intake.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced studies who complete a major in Accounting with a weighted average mark of 70% (within the first three years of their degree) may be eligible to complete honours in Accounting as their fourth year of study in this combined degree program. Students will need to have completed any requirements of their degree not satisfied with the completion of honours (including both majors, all core units, all Open Learning Environment units, and any elective units as necessary to ensure they meet degree requirements) by the end of their third year of study to proceed to honours in their fourth year of study. The available units of study for Honours in Accounting are listed in Table A Honours units of study.
For details of the requirements for admission, completion and the criteria for the awarding of honours, please refer to the Degree and Faculty resolutions.
A sample pathway for the Honours in Accounting (final year of the combined Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies OR Bachelor of Advanced Studies) is listed below.
Note: All units listed are worth 6 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Year | Session | Units of study | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth / First | Semester 1 | Core: BUSS4001 Business Honours Research Methods (12 credit points) | Core: BUSS4112 Accounting Honours A | Core: BUSS4113 Accounting Honours B | |
| Semester 2 | Core: BUSS4104 Business Honours Thesis (24 credit points) | ||||
For details of the units of study required for honours please refer to the Accounting Honours section of Table A in this handbook.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the Accounting major students will be able to:
| No. | Major Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Use accounting systems and processes to produce business entity reports. |
| 2 | Appropriately apply accounting and regulatory requirements to produce accounting reports and financial statements. |
| 3 | Use budgets, costing and cost control, business planning, internal control, and performance management to inform management decision-making. |
| 4 | Apply contemporary audit practice within regulatory requirements in order to validate published financial reports and to inform shareholders and stakeholders. |
| 5 | Provide accurate technical tax advice to clients and produce the required written documentation. |
| 6 | Analyse and interpret commercial, economic and business information to develop solutions and responses to business problems and challenges. |
| 7 | Identify the risks and implications of misstatement, both financial and non-financial facing, in business evaluation. |
| 8 | Communicate persuasively both orally and in written business reports and audit procedures. |
| 9 | Collaborate effectively with others in a professional business manner as team members and leaders and in interactions with clients. |
| 10 | Apply ethical decision-making criteria and sustainability considerations as part of management accounting expertise in a broad business context. |
Further information
For further information regarding study in accounting at the University of Sydney, please refer to the Discipline of Accounting.