University of Sydney Handbooks - 2020 Archive

Download full 2020 archivePage archived at: Tue, 27 Oct 2020

Professional accreditations

Professional accreditation in accounting

(i) CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)

Students seeking associate membership of CPA Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) should complete the Master of Professional Accounting which is accredited by both CPA Australia and CAANZ. It is possible for students enrolled in the Master of Commerce to meet all of the required accredited units of study covering the professional competency areas if just the accounting specialisation is chosen as well as completion of the other required accredited units. It is not be possible to do all the required accredited units if an additional specialisations is chosen with the Accounting specialisation therefore, in this case, it is recommended that students interested in joining CPA Australia or CAANZ should attempt to maximise the required accredited units of study that can fit in their program. These accredited units of study are shown under the professional accounting accreditation guide link in the Accounting Discipline area of the Business School website.


As accredited units are subject to review by the professional accounting bodies, students should check the CAANZ and CPA Australia websites for units accredited in the year they commenced their course.

If required, the Master of Commerce Program Manager or the Postgraduate Coordinator for the Accounting Discipline can put you in touch with the Accounting Accreditation Liaison Officer to provide further advice on professional accounting accreditation.

(ii) Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

Students who complete the Master of Commerce with a specialisation in Accounting are eligible to receive four exam exemptions from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Students who complete additional accredited units of study may be eligible for up to five further ACCA exam exemptions.

These required accredited units are listed in the professional accounting accreditation link in the Accounting Discipline area of the Business School website where information on accreditation and accredited units is updated regularly.

Further information on ACCA exam exemptions can be found on the ACCA exemptions calculator on the ACCA website.