Master of Professional Accounting (CPA)
Master of Professional Accounting (CPA)
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Upcoming start dates
Semester 1 - 17 Feb 2025
Semester 2 - 14 Jul 2025
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Qualification
Taught Master's
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Duration
1.5 years full-time
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Credits
180
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Location
Lincoln University Campus or Online
Lincoln University is the only Registered Tuition Provider to offer the Certified Practising Accountant Australia Approved integrated course in Aotearoa-New Zealand. As well as nurturing your communication, negotiation and people management skills, you’ll learn to apply strategic thinking and business leadership to domestic and international business issues.
Study for free
If you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, residing in New Zealand at the time of study, you may be eligible for free tuition fees. Part time study options may be available. Terms and conditions apply. Learn more.
Note: Fee waivers are only offered for enrolments in Lincoln University courses. As part of this integrated programme, students must apply for CPA Australia membership and enrol in the exams with CPA Australia. CPA fees are not covered by any Lincoln University fee waiver arrangement. Please contact CPA Australia for exact details on their fees and admission requirements.
About this programme
The Master of Professional Accounting (CPA) grows your knowledge and opportunities, as well as helping you achieve the CPA recognition held in high regard throughout the business world, among accounting firms, global consultancies and industry.
Graduates of Lincoln’s Master of Professional Accounting are eligible for full CPA Australia membership after completing three years work experience.
How you’ll grow
- Through the process of completing a Master’s degree while also completing the CPA Program® examinations.
- Plus the teaching that complements the CPA Program® and guides your exam preparation.
- Supported by in-person live learning alongside the CPA Program® distance study programme.
- You’ll learn to apply strategic leadership to business challenges and opportunities in New Zealand and internationally.
- And you’ll cultivate your communication, negotiation and people management skills.
Career opportunities
The combination of CPA designation and a Master’s degree from Lincoln will open up senior management opportunities at home and abroad, in accounting firms, consulting firms and industry.
Programme information
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A relevant New Zealand level 7 bachelor’s degree or recognised equivalent with a B average or better in the 300 level and final year (full-time equivalent) courses
- If English isn’t your first language, other entry requirements will apply. Learn more about the English language requirements.
- CPA Australia Associate membership, visit cpaaustralia.com.au/apply for more information and submit a membership application.
What's it going to cost?
The Master of Professional Accounting (CPA) is covered by our fee waiver. If you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, residing in New Zealand at the time of study, you may be eligible for free tuition fees. Part time study options may be available. Terms and conditions apply. Learn more.
If you are an international student, see our list of International Fees.
Students must also apply for CPA Australia Associate membership and enrol in the exams with CPA Australia. Please see CPA Australia details on fees: https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/member-services/member-service-fees
You can start studying in either:
- Semester 1 (late January)
- Semester 2 (mid-July)
Graduate Attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.
Knowledge
- Describe the relationship between sustainable value creation and economic growth, in the context of the theory and practice of commerce.
- Evaluate a range of analytical tools and techniques to understand the industry, the market and the performance of the organisation.
- Apply strategic thinking and strategic business leadership to a range of domestic and global business issues.
Skills
- Identify and critically analyse a range of current accounting issues and discuss their implications on business activities and the accounting professions.
- Investigate and resolve new, challenging and dynamic problems in the realm of commerce, with specific capabilities to find, use, apply and synthesise business information.
- Be self-reliant and capable of forming opinions that they can believe in, defend with logic and integrity, and gain support for.
- Develop a range of skills in communication, negotiation and people management.
- Apply professional accounting skills to solve complex problems facing businesses in today's global marketplace.
- Identify relevant research, and use academic and professional literature to form literate opinions about the strategic role of accounting and related disciplines.
Values
- Assess the impact of business decisions on a wide range of stakeholders, including the environment and society.
- Defend the importance of applying professional and ethical frameworks in solving business issues.
- Participate in group activities and team work, and appreciate the value of learning from others.
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Entry requirements
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A relevant New Zealand level 7 bachelor’s degree or recognised equivalent with a B average or better in the 300 level and final year (full-time equivalent) courses
- If English isn’t your first language, other entry requirements will apply. Learn more about the English language requirements.
- CPA Australia Associate membership, visit cpaaustralia.com.au/apply for more information and submit a membership application.
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Regulations and fees
What's it going to cost?
The Master of Professional Accounting (CPA) is covered by our fee waiver. If you're a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, residing in New Zealand at the time of study, you may be eligible for free tuition fees. Part time study options may be available. Terms and conditions apply. Learn more.
If you are an international student, see our list of International Fees.
Students must also apply for CPA Australia Associate membership and enrol in the exams with CPA Australia. Please see CPA Australia details on fees: https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/member-services/member-service-fees
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Intake semesters
You can start studying in either:
- Semester 1 (late January)
- Semester 2 (mid-July)
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Graduate Attributes
Graduate Attributes refer to the knowledge, skills, and values that you gain from completing your qualification. These high-level qualities will prepare you for career success, further study or research and making a valuable contribution to society in your chosen field.
Knowledge
- Describe the relationship between sustainable value creation and economic growth, in the context of the theory and practice of commerce.
- Evaluate a range of analytical tools and techniques to understand the industry, the market and the performance of the organisation.
- Apply strategic thinking and strategic business leadership to a range of domestic and global business issues.
Skills
- Identify and critically analyse a range of current accounting issues and discuss their implications on business activities and the accounting professions.
- Investigate and resolve new, challenging and dynamic problems in the realm of commerce, with specific capabilities to find, use, apply and synthesise business information.
- Be self-reliant and capable of forming opinions that they can believe in, defend with logic and integrity, and gain support for.
- Develop a range of skills in communication, negotiation and people management.
- Apply professional accounting skills to solve complex problems facing businesses in today's global marketplace.
- Identify relevant research, and use academic and professional literature to form literate opinions about the strategic role of accounting and related disciplines.
Values
- Assess the impact of business decisions on a wide range of stakeholders, including the environment and society.
- Defend the importance of applying professional and ethical frameworks in solving business issues.
- Participate in group activities and team work, and appreciate the value of learning from others.
Programme Structure
Lincoln’s Master of Professional Accounting (CPA) is a 180-credit taught Master’s degree, achieved by completing nine 20-credit courses over three semesters. Six of these courses include CPA Program® subjects.
Pathway Certificate for MPA Entry for a non-accounting background
Even if you don’t have an accounting background, you can still study for the Master of Professional Accounting (CPA).
If you have a Bachelor’s degree with at least a B average, you can enrol in the Pathway Certificate for MPA Entry. This will prepare you for the Masters course, and expand your options into the world of professional accounting. Find out more here.
Compulsory courses
Compulsory Courses
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CPA Ethics and Governance
20 credits
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{{ 'ACCT 621' | except-last-word }} {{ 'ACCT 621' | last-word }}
CPA Strategic Management Accounting
20 credits
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{{ 'ACCT 622' | except-last-word }} {{ 'ACCT 622' | last-word }}
CPA Financial Reporting
20 credits
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{{ 'ACCT 623' | except-last-word }} {{ 'ACCT 623' | last-word }}
CPA Global Strategy and Leadership
20 credits
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{{ 'ACCT 698' | except-last-word }} {{ 'ACCT 698' | last-word }}
Research Essay
20 credits
Choose a minimum of one of the following courses:
- Compulsory courses
- Elective courses
Elective
Together with 20 credits from the Schedule of Master's Degree courses offered at Lincoln University to form a coherent programme of study
Note: Students who have not met the audit and /or taxation requirement of the CPA Program® will be required to complete ACCT 624 CPA Advanced Audit and Assurance and/or ACCT 609 Advanced Taxation.
A course advisor will help you to select your electives and plan your degree.
Both on-campus study and online distance learning are available to full-time students and domestic part-time students. International students based outside of Aotearoa-New Zealand can also study the programme part-time.
Distance learning requirements
Distance learning is available for time-tabled classes with the use of Zoom video conferencing.
Using the Zoom platform, you’ll be able to participate fully in lectures and interact with fellow students and lecturers. We’ll also make recordings of class sessions available.
To access lectures on the Zoom platform, you need:
- Broadband wireless or wired internet connection (3G or 4G / LTE)
- Speakers plus microphone, either built-in, USB plug-in or Bluetooth wireless
- Webcam or HD webcam, either built-in or via USB plug-in (an HD cam or HD camcorder with video capture card can be used).
Programme contacts
Key information for students
Compare qualification and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Need more info?
Email us on grow@lincoln.ac.nz
Or call us on 0800 10 60 10
If you're overseas, please call +64 3 423 0000
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