These days, many accountants are doing less number crunching and more business planning and management. Today’s accountants specialise in fields that suit their interests and where their skills can flourish.
Freedom to choose
All types of businesses, from large firms to small private practices, government departments to not-for-profit organisations, need accountants. This provides you with the freedom to choose the work situation that suits you—an aspect that few other disciplines can offer.
As an accountant, you will also have a wide choice of roles and niches. The subjects on offer in Australian institutions reflect the range of employment options for graduates, such as taxation, foreign exchange or business consultancy. With postgraduate study, even more possibilities open up, such as forensic accounting, taxation law or financial management.
Study options
In Australia, you can gain an accounting qualification through a vocational education and training (VET) institution or university.
With a VET qualification, you can expect to find employment as an accounts clerk, office manager or even assistant accountant. VET qualifications are also a great alternative to traditional postgraduate study if your job requires budget management and forecasting or financial reporting.
Alternatively, you could study for an undergraduate degree at university, although not necessarily a Bachelor of Accounting. Many business, commerce and economics degrees offer accounting majors. You could also consider a double degree that combines accounting with law, information systems or arts. This will provide you with even more options for employment when you graduate.
If you are already a practising professional, you can upgrade your skills though vocational or postgraduate study. This can help you move into a specialised field, or gain a promotion.
Australian-qualified accountants often find employment overseas. If you do your research you’ll find out which Australian qualifications are recognised in your home country.
Professional recognition
Professional accountants in Australia and around the world belong to professional associations. You generally gain professional status via an accredited university course, work experience and possibly further study. Contact the association in your home country to check your proposed study program.
Studying accounting will make you highly employable without locking you into a particular role.
Use our Search function to find a list of Australian institutions offering qualifications in this field.
More information