Sydney transforms Master of Professional Accounting and Business Performance

Commencing in semester one 2023, the new Master of Professional Accounting and Business Performance will give students the skills and experience to bring value to any organisation in a disruptive global economy.

Professor Greg Whitwell, Dean of the University of Sydney Business School, said the degree will be the leading Professional Accounting course in Australia’s Group of Eight universities for embedding analytics and digital know-how across the program.

"Our extensive industry consultation ensures students are being taught the skills they need to make an immediate impact wherever they work. The Business School's commitment to the Principles of Responsible Management Education means they will graduate in-demand and on track to become an ethical business leader," said Professor Whitwell.

Program Director of the Master of Professional Accounting and Business Performance, Dr Rodney Coyte, said the comprehensive program restructure was designed to future-proof careers through two key areas employers are looking for.

"The program will retain its strong foundation of deep technical know-how and the leadership skills to leverage that knowledge, including emotional intelligence, communication and persuasion. This is what has always set the University of Sydney apart.

"We are introducing an accounting analytics spine that covers essential elements including artificial intelligence, big data and cloud-based accounting technology platforms.

"This will equip students with analytical and data skills, so they won't just be able to expertly analyse performance – they'll be primed to contribute to the generation of business insights and inform rapid decision-making in response to markets," Dr Coyte said.

The two-year course is comprised of 14 core units and two elective units selected from a wide range of Business School units of study, including options for industry placements and projects.

The program is fully accredited by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA).

Students can undertake work placements with leading organisations in Australia or overseas, gaining real-world experience while developing transferable career skills and exploring corporate social responsibility and governance.

Pradeesh Nair completed the Master of Professional Accounting at Sydney in 2019 and is now a Technology Lead with leading fintech company Broadridge.

"In addition to gaining technical skills, my degree prepared me for a job through learning how to present myself and form networks with people from different backgrounds and fields. All of this adds up when you're looking for a job after graduation," Mr Nair said.

Students will become job-ready through access to the Business School's award-winning Careers and Employability Office.

The University of Sydney Business School is triple accredited, placing it in the top one percent of business schools in the world, while the University of Sydney is ranked number one in Australia and number four in the world for graduate employability.