Bachelor of Accounting/Diploma of Laws

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Charles Darwin University

Program Overview

Study at CDU Danala – Education and Community Precinct, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, and gain two qualifications in just three years that combine professional accounting expertise with a strong understanding of legal systems and business law. Ideal for students seeking a competitive edge in accounting, finance, taxation, auditing, and corporate governance, this dual qualification develops both technical accounting knowledge and legal reasoning skills for a wide range of business careers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In your first year, you will establish a strong foundation in business, accounting, and legal principles. Through units such as ACT102 Introduction to Accounting, LAW105 Introduction to Business Law, and LWZ115 Legal Process, you will learn how organisations record financial information, operate within legal frameworks, and apply legal reasoning to business situations. Additional studies in ECO107 Fundamentals of Economics and MAN105 Introduction to Management provide valuable insights into business decision-making and economic environments.

Year 2:
The second year focuses on developing professional accounting skills while expanding your understanding of commercial law and finance. Units including ACT202 Management Accounting, ACT204 Financial Accounting, and FIN205 Business Finance help you analyse organisational performance, prepare financial reports, and evaluate financial decisions. You will also study LAW205 Commercial and Corporate Law for Business, gaining knowledge of legal issues affecting modern businesses and corporations.

Year 3:
In the final year, you will engage with advanced accounting practices and specialised legal studies. Through units such as ACT303 Principles of Auditing, ACT305 Corporate Accounting, and TAX305 Taxation, you will develop expertise in auditing, taxation compliance, and corporate reporting. The capstone unit ACT410 Ethics, Governance and Professional Applications strengthens your understanding of ethical decision-making, professional standards, and governance responsibilities, while law electives allow you to explore areas such as Human Rights Law, Constitutional Law, Property Law, or Environmental and Planning Law.

Focus Areas: Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Corporate Accounting, Business Finance, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Governance, Ethics, Legal Processes, Business Management, Risk and Compliance.

Learning Outcomes: Develop expertise in financial reporting, auditing, taxation, and business finance; understand legal systems and commercial law principles; apply accounting and legal knowledge to complex business situations; strengthen communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills; evaluate ethical and governance issues; and prepare for professional practice in accounting and business environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Successful completion of the degree satisfies the educational requirements for membership with CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). The Diploma of Laws also provides a recognised pathway into a Bachelor of Laws with full credit for completed law units, enabling further legal studies.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Charles Darwin University is recognised for its industry-relevant, student-centred learning approach and strong connections with businesses and communities across the Northern Territory and Australia. The dual qualification enhances employability by combining accounting expertise with legal knowledge, providing graduates with a distinctive advantage in accounting firms, multinational corporations, government agencies, and business consulting environments.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Accounting/Diploma of Laws at Charles Darwin University is designed to develop practical accounting and legal knowledge through a vocationally oriented and student-centred learning experience. Students build professional capabilities in accounting, taxation, auditing, business law, corporate law, finance, legal processes, communication, presentation, and problem-solving while applying theory to real-world business and legal contexts. Throughout the degree, students gain exposure to contemporary accounting systems, legal frameworks, governance practices, and professional decision-making that prepare them for employment across accounting, finance, compliance, and business sectors:

Accounting Information Systems: Students undertake ACT304 Accounting Information Systems, where they explore the use of technology and information systems within modern accounting environments, developing digital competencies increasingly demanded by employers.
Professional Capstone Experience: The program culminates with ACT410 Ethics, Governance and Professional Applications, allowing students to integrate accounting, governance, ethical decision-making, and professional practice concepts in preparation for the workplace.
Industry-Relevant Accounting Training: Practical accounting skills are developed through units such as ACT202 Management Accounting, ACT204 Financial Accounting, ACT303 Principles of Auditing, ACT305 Corporate Accounting, and TAX305 Taxation, reflecting the knowledge areas required by professional accounting bodies and employers.
Applied Legal Learning: Through law units such as LWZ115 Legal Process, LAW205 Commercial and Corporate Law for Business, LWZ114 Criminal Law, LWZ204 Constitutional Law, and other specialist electives, students gain practical insight into legal systems, regulatory frameworks, and legal reasoning relevant to business environments.
Communication and Professional Skills Development: Units including COM105 Business Communications help students strengthen workplace communication, presentation, negotiation, and professional reporting skills essential for accounting and legal careers.
Industry Networking Opportunities: CDU highlights opportunities for students to network with industry leaders while developing accounting and business expertise, helping students establish professional connections and gain insights into industry expectations.
Specialist Law Electives: Students can customise their learning through law electives such as Human Rights Law, Environmental and Planning Law, Resources and Energy Law, Family Law, and Property Law, allowing them to align their studies with specific career interests.
Library and Learning Resources: Students have access to CDU's extensive library collections, digital databases, legal research resources, study spaces, academic support services, and online learning platforms that support both accounting and legal research throughout the degree.
Professional Accreditation Preparation: The curriculum is structured to satisfy the academic requirements for professional accounting membership with CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and CIMA, ensuring students develop industry-recognised competencies throughout their studies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Accounting/Diploma of Laws from Charles Darwin University provides graduates with a unique combination of accounting expertise and legal knowledge, giving them a competitive advantage in today's business environment. This dual qualification prepares students for careers that require both financial and legal understanding, making graduates highly attractive to employers across corporate, government, and professional services sectors. Typical career outcomes include Financial Accountant, Management Accountant, Financial Auditor, Tax Accountant, Business Financial Analyst, and Compliance Officer.

University Services That Support Employability: CDU delivers a student-centred and industry-relevant learning experience designed to build workplace-ready skills. Students develop professional capabilities through practical accounting studies, business-focused learning, communication development, problem-solving training, and exposure to real-world business and legal issues, supported by CDU's strong industry and community connections across the Northern Territory and Australia.
Employment Statistics and Salary Figures: Accounting graduates remain in strong demand across public accounting firms, government agencies, financial institutions, multinational corporations, and consulting organisations. Graduates typically commence their careers with salaries ranging from AUD 60,000–75,000 per year, while the median salary for accounting professionals generally ranges between AUD 85,000–100,000 per year, with higher earnings achievable through professional accreditation and career progression.
University–Industry Partnerships: Charles Darwin University maintains extensive partnerships with businesses, government organisations, and industry stakeholders throughout the Northern Territory and Australia. These strong industry connections help ensure course content remains relevant to employer needs and provide students with valuable professional exposure, networking opportunities, and industry engagement throughout their studies.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: Successful completion of the Bachelor of Accounting/Diploma of Laws satisfies the academic entry requirements for major professional accounting bodies, including CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). These internationally recognised accreditations provide graduates with pathways to professional certification, enhanced career mobility, and long-term advancement opportunities in accounting, finance, and business leadership.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates leave with expertise in accounting, taxation, auditing, finance, business law, corporate law, and legal processes. The combination of accounting and legal knowledge enables graduates to work across a broader range of professional roles and provides a unique skill set that can support careers in accounting firms, multinational organisations, government departments, compliance functions, and business management.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Bachelor of Accounting/Diploma of Laws, graduates may continue their studies through the Bachelor of Laws, receiving full credit for the Diploma of Laws units completed and therefore reducing the time required to complete the law degree. Graduates may also pursue postgraduate qualifications such as a Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance, or specialised legal and business degrees, while simultaneously progressing toward professional CPA, CA ANZ, or CIMA certification.