Programme overview
Accountants are well-known for their problem-solving and number skills. They’re pivotal to the success of any business, and it’s a job that’s always in high demand.
Help organisations make better business decisions
As an accountant, you’ll be responsible for maintaining and analysing financial records to ensure tax and reporting requirements are met. You’ll also provide the data and advice companies need to minimise costs, boost revenue and increase profits.
Because accountancy can be broad and full of variety, the Bachelor of Accounting will prepare you to work in a variety of roles in diverse organisations. You’ll gain a deep understanding of accounting and finance principles and the dynamic local and international business environment. You’ll also learn to apply your technical know-how and skills in many cultural contexts and business settings.
Work towards becoming a Chartered Accountant
When you graduate, you can apply for provisional membership with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and Chartered Practising Accountant Australia (CPA). You’ll be ready to work in various industries and organisations at both operational and strategic levels.
Highlights
-
Apply for CA ANZ provisional membership. Once you’ve graduated, you’ll meet all the requirements to apply for CA ANZ and CPA’s professional pathways. After three years of mentored work experience, you can register as a Chartered Accountant.
-
Focus on current best practices. Develop a high level of technical competence in accounting, concentrating on problem-solving and adaptability to changes in the marketplace.
-
Internship-based learning. In your final year, you’ll complete a work placement at an organisation of your choice, allowing you to apply your skills in a work environment. You will be prepared to move seamlessly into work once you graduate.
-
Learn using the latest software and systems that real-world organisations employ to manage their finances, like Tableau, Xero and Power BI.
-
Wrap-around student support. Learn from a well-connected, expert teaching team dedicated to your success. If you need help at any stage, they’ll connect you with our various Student Services.
Becoming a Chartered Accountant
This degree prepares you to meet all academic requirements for CA ANZ and CPA’s professional pathways. After completing a set amount of work experience, you can register as a Chartered Accountant.
Memberships benefits include:
- Take advantage of CPA Australia and CA ANZ accreditation agreements.
- Join an industry-approved training organisation.
Lots of career progression opportunities
You’ll be able to find employment in almost any industry, one of the many perks of working as an accountant. You could work in the not-for-profit sector, for a government agency, join a start-up or a large accounting firm – or, with some experience, start your own firm.
You may work as part of a team or independently, with executives and managers, or work towards running a finance team yourself.
To find out more about accounting careers:
Programme Structure
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course 1 | BSNS5001TPB Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context Class number(s): 1214 or 5218 15 credits |
ACCY5105TPB Commercial Law Class number(s): 1200 15 credits |
ACCY6107TPB Research Methods Class number(s): 1208 or 5212 15 credits |
| Course 2 | BSNS5002TPB Business Environments Class number(s): 1217 or 5221 15 credits |
ACCY5106TPB Economics Class number(s): 5242 15 credits |
ACCY6108TPB Accounting Information Systems Class number(s): 1210 or 5214 15 credits |
| Course 3 | BSNS5003TPB Business Functions Class number(s): 1220 or 5224 15 credits |
ACCY6101TPB Intermediate Management Accounting Class number(s): 1202 or 5208 15 credits |
Elective Level 5, 6 or 7 15 credits |
| Course 4 | BSNS5004TPB Change and Innovation Class number(s): 1223 or 5227 15 credits |
ACCY6102TPB Intermediate Financial Accounting Class number(s): 1204 or 5210 15 credits |
ACCY7101TPB Advanced Management Accounting Class number(s): No classes scheduled 15 credits |
| Course 5 | ACCY5101TPB Introduction to Accounting and Taxation Class number(s): 1188 or 5196 15 credits |
ACCY6103TPB Taxation In Aotearoa New Zealand Class number(s): 1206 15 credits |
ACCY7102TPB Advanced Financial Accounting Class number(s): No classes scheduled 15 credits |
| Course 6 | ACCY5102TPB Applied Accounting Class number(s): 1191 or 5199 15 credits |
ACCY6104TPB Introduction to Finance Class number(s): 5244 15 credits |
ACCY7103TPB Auditing and Assurance Class number(s): No classes scheduled 15 credits |
| Course 7 | ACCY5103TPB Analysis of Financial Information Class number(s): 1194 or 5202 15 credits |
ACCY6105TPB Data Analytics Class number(s): 5246 15 credits |
ACCY7104TPB Professional Accounting Project Class number(s): No classes scheduled 30 credits |
| Course 8 | ACCY5104TPB Budgets for Planning and Control Class number(s): 1197 or 5205 15 credits |
ACCY6106TPB Law of Business Entities Class number(s): 5248 15 credits |
|
Admission requirements
What you will need to study this programme.
Domestic students
International students
Academic requirements
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age when they begin their studies, and they should meet the country-specific admission requirement,
And meet one of the English entry requirements;
- An equivalent of IELTS (Academic) with minimum band scores of 6.0 with no individual band lower than 5.5 from one test taken in the preceding two years,
- Evidence of English language proficiency as outlined in the NZQA Rules on the Unitec English Language Requirements for International Students Web-page.
- University Entrance Literacy: 10 credits at Level 2 or above in English or Māori (5 in Reading, 5 in Writing); or
If you do not meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available, depending on your current level of ability.
Don’t meet these Academic requirements?
- If you don’t meet the academic criteria, our Bridging Education Programmes can help you qualify. Simply apply online, and we’ll discuss your next steps.
- If you don’t meet the above criteria, special or discretionary admission may apply; your eligibility will be determined at the interview.
For more information, download the programme regulations (PDF 352 KB)
Courses and timetables
For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2025; please check back again soon.
| Courses | Credits | Aim |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Accounting and Taxation (ACCY5101TPB) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply accounting concepts, standards, processes, and tax rules to prepare financial statements. |
| Applied Accounting (ACCY5102TPB) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to record and process a range of financial transactions. |
| Analysis of Financial Information (ACCY5103TPB) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to calculate, analyse and interpret financial information to inform decision making for an organisation. |
| Budgets for Planning and Control (ACCY5104TPB) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to prepare and use budgets to monitor performance and determine internal controls to minimise risk for an organisation. |
| Commercial Law (ACCY5105TPB) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to enable akonga to understand the legal system and creation and interpretation of law and to apply knowledge and the skills of finding and applying law to a range of situations. |
| Economics (ACCY5106TPB) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competence to apply elements of economic theory to contemporary business issues. |
| Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context (BSNS5001TPB) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to analyse organisations and engage with stakeholders in an Aotearoa New Zealand context. |
| Business Environments (BSNS5002TPB) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to analyse and manage the impact of environmental influences on a business entity. |
| Business Functions (BSNS5003TPB) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to the core business functions of accounting, operations, human resource management, marketing and sales. |
| Change and Innovation (BSNS5004TPB) | 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) | The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to contribute to organisational change and innovation. |
