Explore your options
Study accounting and you’ll learn the language of business. You’ll learn to support a business by providing financial information for decision-making at both an operational and strategic level.
Unitec’s accounting programmes teach you how to prepare financial statements and manage accounts, prepare tax returns and prepare budgets and cash flows. More importantly you learn how to analyse and interpret accounting information. Our programmes cover a variety of subjects from financial and management accounting, taxation, auditing and accounting information systems.
Study is flexible, with some evening courses, lots of opportunities to work in a business, and double majors in other business disciplines. Practical assignments and industry-experienced lecturers will also give you a solid base to launch your professional accounting career.
Programmes and study path
| PROGRAMME | LEVEL | DURATION | CAREER OPTIONS | START DATES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) | 3 | Full-time for 16 weeks or part-time options available | Entry into further study at certificate or diploma level. | February or July |
| New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) - Business and Communication | 4 | Full-time for 16 weeks or part-time options available. | Entry into further study toward a career in media, communication, or business. | February or July |
| New Zealand Diploma in Business - Accounting | 5 | Full-time for one year. Part-time options available. | Accounts payable/receivable administrator, Assistant accountant, Business administrator, Credit manager, Office manager | February or July |
| Bachelor of Accounting | 7 | Full-time for three years or part-time options available | Financial accountant, Chief financial officer, Management accountant, Chartered accountant, Taxation consultant, Systems accountant, Business analyst, Audit manager | February or July |
| Graduate Certificate in Professional Accountancy | 7 | Full-time for a minimum of one semester or part-time options available | Auditor, Business adviser, Chartered accountant, Chief financial officer, Divisional accountant, Financial accountant, Financial controller, Management accountant, Tax consultant | February or July |
| Graduate Diploma in Professional Accountancy | 7 | Full-time for a minimum of one year or part-time options available | Auditor, Business adviser, Chartered accountant, Divisional accountant, Financial accountant, Financial controller, Chief financial officer, Management accountant, Tax consultant | February or July |
| Master of Professional Accounting | 9 | Full-time for 18 months. Part-time options available. | Financial accountant, Management accountant, Auditor, Taxation accountant, Assistant accountant, Intermediate accountant, Provides a pathway to becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA or CPA) | February or July |
Career paths
To find out more about accounting careers visit:
Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand (CA ANZ), CPA Australia.
Want to be an accountant?
- If you choose the right courses, the Bachelor of Business (Accounting) meets the academic requirements for CA ANZ and ACCA professional pathways, or
- If you already have an undergraduate degree in a non-accounting field, the Masters of Applied Practice (Professional Accounting) meets the academic requirements for membership into CA ANZ and CPA Australia.
- You can progress to the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accountancy for advanced technical requirements.
- Take advantage of CPA Australia and CA ANZ accreditation agreements.
- Join an approved training organisation (ATE).
To qualify as an accounting technician you should:
- Successfully complete the New Zealand Diploma in Business accounting option; and
- Have two years' relevant professional experience; and
- Pass the CA ANZ Foundations Programme.
Other pathway options:
- The New Zealand Diploma in Business courses can be cross-credited to the Bachelor of Business.
- Up to 180 credits can be achieved towards the Bachelor of Business.
- The Bachelor of Business opens doors for other professional pathways.
Industry connections
We are well connected to key industries bodies such as The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA), CPA Australia, and ACCA. This helps us keep our programmes up to date, reflective of current industry practice, and be recognised by industry. This means what you learn in these programmes will be relevant for your accounting and finance career, wherever it might take you.
Internship based learning
Unitec is committed to making sure our graduates add value to the organisations they join. One way we do this is through Internship Based Learning in our accounting qualifications and finance training courses. IBL forms part of your final year of study and gives you the chance to put what you've learnt into practice at a host organisation.
It's a hugely valuable experience: you’ll develop relevant industry skills and knowledge, confidence, and self-discipline. Internship Based Learning also gives you the opportunity to make an impression and build contacts. Some of our host organisations have offered permanent jobs to their placement students.
