Accounting
Scholarships
Ranking
Top 150 in the world for Accounting and Finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2018)
Download Brochure
Scholarships
Ranking
Top 150 in the world for Accounting and Finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2018)
Download Brochure
Qualifications
Overview
The study of Accounting covers a wide range of accounting practices and theories in a number of different contexts, providing a solid foundation for a successful professional career.
Accountants provide important financial and other information for key external groups such as owners, investors, and regulators, as well as assisting managers with insight that allows them to make organisational decisions. Alongside this, accountants verify the accuracy and reliability of financial information (auditing), assess risk, and ensure taxation laws and rules are adhered to.
The subject is therefore divided into:
- financial accounting and reporting
- cost and management accounting
- auditing and assurance
- taxation
- other relevant areas, including sustainability reporting.
- UC is ranked in the top 150 universities in the world in Accounting and Finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2018).
- The Bachelor of Commerce Accounting major is a pathway to external qualifications with Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand, CPA Australia, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and other professional accounting bodies internationally.
- At UC, you will study alternative perspectives on contemporary accounting. Students will learn about the modern, reflective role accountants can play in many spheres such as public and private, social, environmental, economic, political, and cultural.
- UC experts will help you answer the question of how the nature of the accountant’s work differs from other management and professional specialists, politicians, and public officials.
- You will also consider important topical issues, such as business ethics and corporate social responsibility, Māori as tāngata whenua and the role of the Crown, and the challenges presented by increasing globalisation.
While some previous study of accounting is useful preparation, it is not essential to have studied accounting at secondary school level.
A background in statistics is recommended. However, accounting is not all number-oriented, and a good grounding in spoken and written English communication is essential.
Students with very good Year 13 results in accounting may be offered direct entry to 200-level Accounting courses at the discretion of the Head of Department of Accounting and Information Systems (ACIS).
100-level courses
UC offers a major and a minor in Accounting as part of the Bachelor of Commerce. You can also study this subject as a minor within the Bachelor of Arts.
The first-year, 100-level courses required to complete a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting are:
- ACCT 102 Accounting and Financial Information
- ACCT 103 Accounting and Taxation: An introduction
- ECON 104 Introduction to Microeconomics or ECON 105 Introduction to Macroeconomics or ECON 199 Introduction to Microeconomics (a STAR course for secondary school students)
- INFO 123 Information Systems and Technology
- MGMT 100 Fundamentals of Management
- STAT 101 Statistics 1
- Plus 30 points from 100-level Commerce or any other UC courses. ACCT 152 Law and Business* is recommended.
For the complete, three-year Bachelor of Commerce Accounting major degree plan, or minor courses, see the UC Business School | Te Kura Umanga website.
200-level and beyond
Courses at 200 and 300-level build on knowledge and skills introduced at 100-level. You can study business sector management accounting, corporate social responsibility, accounting and finance in government and the public service, international corporate financial reporting, and accounting firm practices such as audit, tax and business consulting.
As a specialist in accounting, you will be able to work in a variety of fields throughout your career. The most common positions are: Chartered Accountant, Accounting Manager, Auditor, Consultant, Credit Analyst, Manager or Executive, and Chief Financial Officer.
You can focus on a range of areas such as tax, audit, financial management, investment analysis, business services, company or treasury systems accountancy, government finance, or third sector development work. UC Accounting graduates get work in a wide variety of roles around the world.
Many Accounting major graduates go on to become chartered accountants, through Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, or become members of CPA (Australia), or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). For membership of some of these professional bodies, your Bachelor of Commerce degree must include specific courses. For further advice you can also contact the Department of Accounting and Information Systems.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Accounting.
Contact us
Department of Accounting and Information Systems
Phone +64 3 369 3888
Email studybusiness@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Reception Level 2, Business and Law building - see campus maps
Postal address
College of Business and Law | Te Rāngai Umanga me te Ture
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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