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Accredited by international and local industry professional bodies
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Work ready Future Ready employability program, co-designed by industry
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Global opportunities Global Virtual Classrooms, study at our Rome Campus or study overseas
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 3 locations
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- North Sydney
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- North Sydney
- Duration
- 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- QTAC code
- 116441
- ATAR
- 58.50 for Brisbane
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
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Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025Applications open April 2025
Overview
Accounting is the backbone of the business world. Regardless of the economic outlook, accountants are always in demand and can be found in every industry. Our Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) has your career goals in mind. Upon graduating you'll be ready to launch straight into your accounting career thanks to our Future Ready employability program, designed to systematically build each of the elements of your personal brand: your professional identity; experience; job-ready skills; and networks.
When you begin, our unique business foundation program, co-created with industry, assists you as you transition to university study and provides a solid foundation of business skills. From there you will focus on your specialisation in accounting which is accredited by all peak accounting bodies.
Practical skills are important. So you’ll benefit from a range of community and industry placements during your degree. In class, you’ll take part in workshops and will learn through gamified business simulations based on real-world situations. Plus, MS EXCEL Associate and EXCEL expert certifications are wired into your studies – so you can tick Microsoft certification off your to-do list and get an edge in the job market.
In today’s world, you need professional, technical and cross-cultural skills. All our units are embedded with the United Nations sustainable goals and our intercultural communication module is designed to build cultural awareness and communication skills which are vital in the global workplace. You can further extend your intercultural experience by taking part in a Global Virtual Classroom, studying at our Rome Campus or participating in an international study tour.
Professional experience
You’ll gain up to 175 hours of workplace and community experience before you even graduate.
Work placement
As part of our Work Integrated Learning program you’ll gain 105 hours of industry placement in your area of specialisation. We have embedded employability into your degree with our Future Ready program where we build on your professional skills each year, supporting you every step of the way. These placements will give you the confidence, knowledge and skills to prepare for your future profession. You’ll learn to apply what you learn in the classroom to real life scenarios.
Community engagement
As part of your degree you’ll have the opportunity to work with not-for-profit organisations with 35 to 70 hours of community engagement experience. You’ll foster knowledge and understanding and its application within communities experiencing marginalisation and disadvantage while applying ethical personal and professional skills developed during your studies at ACU.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) has been accredited by AACSB - As the world’s largest business education alliance, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) connects educators, students, and businesses to create the next generation of great leaders. This prestigious international accreditation has been awarded to all business courses at the Peter Faber Business School, placing it among the six per cent of business schools worldwide that have this accreditation.
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) also comes with a range of relevant credentials, such as CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Institute of Public Accountants.
PRME - Principles for Responsible Management Education - As an Advanced PRME signatory of PRME, the Faculty of Law and Business has a strong emphasis on governance, ethical leadership, social responsibility, and sustainability embedded in their programs.
Careers
Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce Accounting can enter the accounting profession in a range of careers including management accountant, auditor, forensic accounting, financial advisor or corporate accountant.
Industry partnerships
We enjoy deep industry connections with many well-known organisations across Australia. Our relationships with these organisations includes internships, guest lectures, international study tours and collaborations with industry, community and government departments to undertake consulting and research projects with industry partners.
Here are just a few of our host partners for business:
- Adecco
- Cisco Mentor Me
- Capgemini
- Practera
- Live Melbourne
- Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- NSW Business Chamber
- Ozcare
- Impact for Women
- Brisbane Paralympic Football Program
- Premium Foods Australia
Course details
Course structure
To complete the course students must complete 240 credit points.
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Overseas study available
We offer two business units at our Rome Campus: BIPX202 and BUSN304 (an elective unit). The dates for these units are to be confirmed.
Entry requirements
An applicant must comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant is assumed to have completed English at the year 12 level or equivalent
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Assumed knowledge: English (Standard) (Band 2) or EAL (Band 3) |
| Queensland | Assumed knowledge: English (3 & 4, C). |
| Victoria | Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English. |
International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with recent secondary education
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
For current year 12 students
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
For non-school leavers
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
ACU has partnerships with TAFE and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners or with ACU College, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.
Applicants with higher education study
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
- If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
- If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
- If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
- You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
- If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course:
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
Further study
The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) can lead to further post graduate studies in business such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Fees
Course costs
Additional costs
Students should expect to pay for additional materials including but not limited to textbooks and course specific software as required to fully participate in the degree. The cost of international travel for international study experiences is not included in the fees.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Staff Profile
Associate Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman
Associate Professor, Peter Faber Business School
Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman is the Discipline Leader in Accounting, Finance and Economics and a lecturer in finance. He worked as lecturer in finance at the University of Newcastle. He also worked as a Curriculum Technical Advisor at Kaplan Professional Australia.
Dr Akhtaruzzaman received his PhD from the University of Newcastle, Australia. His main teaching areas are financial institutions management, corporate finance, investments and business analysis. His research interests include asset pricing, financial contagion, interest rate risk and capital adequacy.
Dr Victoria Obeng
Lecturer, Peter Faber Business School
Dr Obeng is a lecturer with Peter Faber Business School. She has worked in industry as teaching consultant for finance and a board member of a finance company. She has teaching experiences from different parts of the world. She has taught in Latrobe University, University of Ghana, and Ghana Technology University College in the areas of financial accounting, auditing and management accounting. Her research interests include corporate governance, board diversity, earnings management, corporate financial reporting and disclosure and the accounting regulatory environment. She has published several research papers in her early academic career and refereed journal articles in her research areas. She is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana.
Testimonial
“The staff at ACU are wonderful and I’ve always had positive experiences here. The lecturers are always guiding me in the right direction, taking time out of their day and going out of their way to help me succeed in my studies.
In the professional experience unit, I have been supported to use my own start-up as a form of placement. Here, I can continue to work on my own business, gaining hands-on entrepreneurial and business skills from my venture. In addition to this, I can apply what I have learnt during my studies, turning theories and concepts into a tangible asset; a huge learning and experience benefit from placement.”