Bachelor of Accounting and Finance

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Australian Catholic University

Program Overview

Study at Australian Catholic University (ACU), North Sydney Campus, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and develop a strong blend of accounting expertise and financial decision-making skills designed for today’s global business environment. This program is ideal for students who want to work in accounting, banking, corporate finance, or financial services, and who enjoy working with numbers, analysing data, and making strategic business decisions.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In the first year, students build a solid foundation in business, accounting, and finance principles. You will typically study core units such as Financial Accounting, Business Economics, and Introduction to Finance, which help you understand how organisations operate, how financial information is recorded, and how economic factors influence business decisions.

Year 2:
The second year focuses on strengthening technical and analytical skills in accounting and financial management. Students explore units such as Management Accounting, Corporate Finance, and Business Law, developing the ability to evaluate financial performance, manage business resources, and understand regulatory and legal frameworks affecting organisations.

Year 3:
In the final year, students engage with advanced accounting and finance topics while applying knowledge to real-world business problems. Units such as Auditing and Assurance, Taxation, and Investment Analysis help develop expertise in financial reporting, compliance, risk evaluation, and investment decision-making in both local and global contexts.

Focus Areas: Accounting Systems, Financial Reporting, Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, Auditing, Taxation, Business Law, Financial Markets, Risk Management, Business Economics, Strategic Financial Decision-Making.

Learning Outcomes: Develop strong accounting and financial analysis skills; evaluate corporate financial performance and investment opportunities; understand taxation, auditing, and compliance frameworks; apply financial decision-making in business environments; and communicate financial insights effectively in professional settings.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The program is designed to align with the educational requirements of professional accounting bodies including CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), supporting students toward globally recognised accounting careers.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Australian Catholic University is internationally recognised for its teaching quality, student support, and graduate employability outcomes. The university focuses on practical, values-based education with strong industry relevance, helping graduates transition into accounting, finance, and business roles across multiple sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Australian Catholic University, students in the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance develop practical, job-ready skills through a strong focus on applied learning, real-world business scenarios, and industry engagement. The program is designed so students don’t just learn theory—they actively apply accounting and finance concepts to case studies, simulations, and workplace-style projects that reflect real industry challenges. Learning is supported through dedicated business school resources, collaborative group work, and exposure to professional practices that prepare students for careers in accounting, banking, and financial services: with a strong emphasis on real-world application and industry readiness.

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL): Students gain hands-on industry experience through structured placements and professional practice units that connect classroom learning with real accounting and finance environments.
Industry Projects & Case Studies: Students work on real business problems, analysing financial data and preparing professional reports similar to those used in accounting firms and corporate finance teams.
Internships & Professional Experience Opportunities: Opportunities are available for students to engage with industry partners, gaining exposure to workplace expectations and professional accounting roles.
Business & Finance Learning Resources: Access to university learning facilities including business simulation activities, digital learning platforms, and financial analysis tools used in accounting and finance education.
Group-Based Learning & Collaboration: Students develop teamwork and communication skills through collaborative financial projects, presentations, and problem-solving tasks that reflect real workplace environments.
Campus Learning Environment: Study is supported across Australian Catholic University campuses such as North Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, providing access to modern learning spaces, libraries, and student support services designed for business and finance students.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Accounting and Finance from Australian Catholic University prepares graduates for dynamic careers across accounting, banking, investment management, financial analysis, and corporate advisory services. The program builds strong technical, analytical, and ethical decision-making skills, enabling graduates to support financial planning, reporting, and strategic business decisions in a wide range of industries. Typical career outcomes include Accountant, Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Auditor, and Finance Officer.

Graduate Outcomes: Graduates are well-prepared to work in corporate finance teams, accounting firms, financial institutions, and government organisations with strong job-ready skills in both accounting and finance.
Typical Job Roles: Accountant, Auditor, Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Finance Officer.
University Services That Support Employability: Australian Catholic University provides dedicated career development services including career coaching, resume and interview preparation, and employer networking support. Students benefit from Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities that provide real workplace experience during their studies. The university also offers career events, industry engagement programs, and internship pathways to improve graduate employability.
Employment Statistics and Salary Figures: Accounting and finance graduates in Australia typically begin their careers with salaries ranging from AUD 65,000–80,000 per year, while the median salary range for accounting and finance professionals is approximately AUD 90,000–110,000 per year, depending on experience, role, and industry sector.
University–Industry Partnerships: Australian Catholic University works closely with industry partners across banking, accounting firms, financial services organisations, and government agencies to provide students with internship opportunities, practical projects, and real-world industry exposure.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Accounting and Finance is aligned with professional recognition pathways through major accounting and finance bodies such as CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), supporting long-term global career development and professional accreditation.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates leave with strong skills in financial reporting, corporate finance, investment analysis, auditing, taxation, and business decision-making, making them highly employable across both accounting and finance sectors.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this program, students can progress into postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Finance, or Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Australian Catholic University, or pursue professional certifications including CPA or CA ANZ to advance into senior financial, advisory, and leadership roles.