Accounting
Scholarships
Ranking
Top 150 in the world for Accounting and Finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020)
Download Brochure
Scholarships
Ranking
Top 150 in the world for Accounting and Finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020)
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 covers:
- financial accounting and reporting
- cost and management accounting
- auditing and assurance
- taxation
- other relevant areas, including sustainability reporting.
The Bachelor of Commerce Accounting programme qualifies students for provisional membership of Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), CPA Australia, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), or other professional accounting bodies internationally.
- UC Accounting graduates work internationally in a variety of fields, including financial and tax consulting, treasury accountancy, auditing, accounting management, and investment.
- The Bachelor of Commerce Accounting major at UC is accredited by professional accounting bodies in industry, such as Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), CPA Australia, and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), leading students towards becoming a certified or chartered accountant.
- 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.
- UC is ranked in the top 150 universities in the world in Accounting and Finance (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020).
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).
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, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, and Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.
Accounting major
To complete a major in Accounting within the Bachelor of Commerce, you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:
100-level
200-level
300-level
For those interested in provisional membership with professional accounting bodies, such as Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), CPA Australia, and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), you will need to include specific courses in your degree in addition to the other Accounting major requirements. Contact a UC Business School | Te Kura Umanga Student Advisor for more information.
For the complete three-year Bachelor of Commerce Accounting major degree plan, see the UC Business School | Te Kura Umanga website.
Accounting minor
For the Accounting minor in the Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership, you will need to take these courses throughout your chosen degree:
100-level
200-level
- ACCT 211 Financial Accounting or ACCT 222 Management Accounting
- Two 200-level ACCT courses (which may include INFO 243)
300-level
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, Meremere 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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