Course details

Summary

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 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 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.

Why study Accounting at UC?

The Bachelor of Commerce Accounting major is a pathway to external qualifications with Chartered Accountants 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 does the nature of the accountant's work differ 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, Maori as tangata whenua and the Crown, and the challenges presented by increasing globalisation.

Recommended preparation

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).

Qualification structure and duration

The three year BCom degree requires a minimum total of 360 points:

at least 255 points of Commerce courses (up to 60 points of Mathematics and/or Statistics at 100 or 200-level may be included in the 255 points)

the remaining 105 points can be from commerce courses or courses from other degrees.

A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.

Double Degrees

It is possible to combine a commerce degree with other degrees; a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws is a highly marketable combination. The Bachelor of Commerce also combines well with the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Forestry Science and Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.

Career opportunities

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, 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.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Bachelor's degree. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.