If you want a career that can fit into any type of business structure, consider studying accounting and finance.
Employment opportunities abound for Australians who have specialised education in the accounting and finance field. Not only for jobs in Australia, but for a career that could potentially put you anywhere in the world.
Why should I study accounting and finance?
According to Australian College, the average annual income for an individual working in the accounting and finance industry is $145,000 AUD. You may not be earning quite that much your first year after receiving your degree, but it is a salary that is worth working towards.
Accounting provides vital financial information to a business or organisation that they will then use to make important decisions. This means that almost every entity that is generating profits or dealing in finances needs to have a competent accounting department to assist in measuring performance.
While accounting focuses on the collection and measurement of capital, finance studies are geared more towards the management of money within a business or organisation. As the two are closely related, it is not unusual for a student to take courses in both or pursue a double major at an accredited online school in order to be more diversified when it comes time to find employment.
See our latest deals for accounting and finance online courses
Basics of Business Finance from Udemy
Topics that you'll cover: Basic Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis and Using Excel to build Financials.
View details
Certificate in Business Finance for Non-Finance Personnel Online Course from Courses for Success
Learn how to make better business decisions to increase your company's profits and move you up the corporate ladder.
View details
Diploma of Business from Australian Vocational Learning Institute
A nationally accredited qualification giving you the skills for middle management in business, office and administrative environments.
View details
Back to top
What courses are available for accounting and finance?
Online universities in Australia are able to provide the fundamental background needed in order to pursue a career in accounting and finance. There are also specialised fields of study related to accounting and finance, such as payroll and taxes that you can pursue as an enhancement to your qualifications as an accountant. You will find the following courses related to accounting and finance available to Australians wishing to study online:
Accounting Pathway Program
Advanced Diploma of Accounting
Diploma of Accounting
Certificate IV in Accounting
Certificate IV in Bookkeeping
Certificate III in Accounts Administration
Bridging Course for Bookkeepers
Certificate in MYOB 19.7
BAS Agent Registration Skill Set
Undergraduate courses
A Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) can also be pursued online, as well as a Master of Professional Accounting. These advanced degrees provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to enter the field of accounting at a higher starting level.
Depending on the course level, you may qualify for membership of the CPA Australia (Certified Practising Accountants) or Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) upon completion of your course, so long as your online school has been accredited by these professional institutions.
Back to top
Short courses and professional development
To enhance your studies and further your career opportunities there are a number of short courses offered online that you can take that are related to accounting and finance. You may even choose one that is specifically designed for your job field of interest. These can help make you a better job candidate for the type of business or industry you are hoping to work for:
Accounting for Managers
Computerised Accounting
Peachtree Accounting 2012
Performing Payroll in QuickBooks
Supervisor Accounting Skills Training
Certificate in Business Accounting
Certificate in Business Administration
It is important to note that not all short classes are recognised nationally or receive a certificate of accreditation, but the information they provide you with could still be helpful in pursuing a successful career in accounting and finance.
Back to top
What are the tuition fees and other expenses to study accounting and finance?
Tuition fees will vary for studying accounting and finance online in Australia, depending mostly on the school in which you want to study and the certificate or diploma level you are pursuing. In order to get an accurate price you will first need to contact the school and choose the course or courses that you are interested in studying. Costs are based on the number and types of units that make up the course, which will vary depending on which ones you choose.
As an indication, an Advanced Diploma of Accounting with Open Colleges will set you back $4,280, paid in instalments, plus a printing charge of $250 if you’d like your materials printed.
Another variable that contributes to the large difference in prices include your residency status in Australia. Foreign students and even those in Australia as temporary residents will typically pay the higher fees as opposed to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Other fees to consider would be any required text and workbooks and the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) which may be as high as $272 AUD per year depending on the number of points accumulated in your studies.
Back to top
What are the best institutions in Australia to study accounting and finance?
When looking into an online university in Australia that offers courses towards obtaining a degree in accounting or finance, the first thing to ask about is whether their program is accredited by CPA Australia, and ICCA. If you have plans of seeking employment abroad, ask about whether their classes are recognised by other groups such as the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in the United Kingdom.
The following online universities in Australia provide the classes needed to obtain a Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in accounting or finance:
Deakin University
Edith Cowan University (ECU)
Swinburne
The University of New England (UNE)
Australian College
You will also find a list of diploma, certificate and short classes offered through Open Colleges and Learning Cloud. These can be taken first in order to meet any prerequisites for obtaining a degree in accounting and finance.
Back to top
What are the career opportunities for accounting and finance?
Individuals with accounting and finance knowledge are highly sought after by Australian employers. With a degree you are almost unlimited in the number and types of businesses you can apply for a job with. Every field, from manufacturing to education systems is in need of accountants to help in keeping up with their finance tracking. You could also become involved in professional auditing of business profit and loss statements, professional financial consulting for companies or tax advising and preparing.
A degree in accounting or finance can help to kick start a lucrative career in any number of industries and fields, even allowing you to work outside of the country with an international firm. Choose your online institution of study carefully, and as early as possible consider classes that will help you gain specialised knowledge in your particular area of interest.
The post Online Courses: Accounting & Finance appeared first on finder.com.au.