Question 1

Why should I study accounting?

Accepted Answer

With your strong business and financial acumen, you’ll be qualified to work in almost any industry. After finishing your accounting degree online, you will have the flexibility to choose from financial roles in the public, private or not-for-profit sectors.

Accounting is a career that can offer you:

Job stability. The world always needs more accountants, and demand remains strong. It’s estimated Australia will need 338,362 accountants by 2026, with the industry experiencing a significant shortage of good talent.
High earning potential. Experienced or specialist accountants can earn upwards of $100,000 per year.
Freedom to travel with your work. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are becoming the norm in the accounting industry. Large firms like Deloitte and KPMG even allow employees to work remotely for extended periods while travelling overseas.

Question 2

Which accounting course should I choose?

Accepted Answer

The right accounting course depends on your career goals and current qualifications. If you’d like to become a fully qualified accountant, you should consider a Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Commerce or a Bachelor of Business with a major in accounting. These qualifications are recognised by the main accounting bodies and will help you become accredited.

If you already hold a degree, you may be eligible to enrol directly into a postgraduate accounting qualification like a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, or Master of Professional Accounting, to advance in your career or specialise.

You can also study short courses and single subjects in accounting to upskill in a particular area, such as financial reporting or fraud prevention.

Question 3

What will I learn in an accounting course?

Accepted Answer

An accounting course will help you build a strong foundation in accounting and finance, and you'll gain skills that will allow you to thrive in any business environment. Core topics include corporate law, taxation, auditing and assurance, financial management, and economics.

Many online accounting courses also offer opportunities to specialise in high-demand areas such as:

Data analytics for accounting
Taxation law
Financial decision-making and strategy
Management accounting
Sustainability accounting
Business management and leadership

Not quite what you’re looking for? You might like to explore related courses in financial planning, finance, taxation, business law, or management.

Question 4

What are the entry requirements for accounting?

Accepted Answer

Entry requirements depend on the accounting course you’d like to pursue. For a bachelor degree, you’ll typically need a high school certificate or equivalent. For postgraduate qualifications, you may need a relevant bachelor degree or experience.

If you don’t meet the requirements, you can get into some undergraduate accounting degrees through us by enrolling in our Business Open Degree Pathway. This removes entry requirements altogether.

Get in touch to ask us more about your course eligibility and we can help you find the best path forward.

Question 5

How long is an accounting course?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you choose to study, if you're getting qualified for the first time, or if you're studying to specialise.

Here’s a general guide:

Course	Duration
Single subject	10-18 weeks
Short course	10-18 weeks
Undergraduate certificate	6 months (if full time)
Diploma	1 year (if full time)
Associate degree	2 years (if full time)
Bachelor degree	3 years (if full time)
Graduate certificate	6 months (if full time)
Graduate diploma	1 year (if full time)
Masters degree	2 years (if full time)

If you study a degree in law through Open Universities Australia, you have the flexibility to choose how many subjects you take per term. This means you can complete your qualification at a faster or slower pace than you would on campus.

Question 6

What other career opportunities can I explore after studying accounting?

Accepted Answer

Studying accounting will give you valuable skills in communication, reporting, analysis, decision-making, and problem-solving. These skills can lead to exciting career opportunities in various industries. Potential roles include:

Practicing accountant
Tax accountant and advisor
Forensic accountant
Business advisor
Auditor or risk consultant

With an online accounting degree, you may also be eligible for membership in professional bodies such as CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). This recognition can help you stand out in the job market and open doors to international opportunities.

Whether you choose to work in government, for private companies, or in the not-for-profit space, your accounting qualification will help you explore a flexible and rewarding career.

Question 7

How do I enrol?

Accepted Answer

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.

Accounting courses

Introduction to Accounting