Bachelor of Business(Accounting)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Queensland University of Technology

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Business (Accounting) / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) combines professional accounting expertise with advanced legal education, equipping graduates with a unique skill set highly valued across legal, corporate, government, and financial sectors. This double degree is ideal for students interested in both business and law, providing a comprehensive understanding of accounting principles, legal frameworks, corporate governance, taxation, and commercial decision-making. Campus Location: Gardens Point Campus, Brisbane, Australia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students establish foundations in both business and law through units such as Accounting for Decision Making, Business Law, and Legal Foundations. They develop core knowledge of financial reporting, legal reasoning, and the Australian legal system while building essential analytical and communication skills. Early studies introduce students to the relationship between business operations and legal obligations in contemporary organisations.

Year 2:
The second year expands students' understanding of accounting systems and legal principles. Through units such as Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, and Contract Law, students learn how financial information supports business decisions while examining the legal rules governing commercial relationships. Additional law studies strengthen critical thinking, legal research, and problem-solving capabilities.

Year 3:
Students progress into more specialised accounting and legal disciplines. Units including Taxation Law, Corporate Accounting, and Torts Law explore corporate reporting requirements, taxation frameworks, and civil liability principles. Students begin applying accounting and legal knowledge to complex business and regulatory environments, preparing them for professional practice.

Year 4:
The fourth year focuses on advanced professional and strategic studies. Students undertake units such as Auditing and Assurance, Corporations Law, and Evidence and Litigation, gaining expertise in corporate governance, risk management, compliance, and dispute resolution. Learning increasingly emphasises professional judgment, ethical decision-making, and practical application of legal and accounting concepts.

Year 5:
In the final year, students complete honours-level legal studies and advanced professional units. Subjects such as Legal Research Project, Administrative Law, and Professional Legal Responsibility allow students to integrate legal and accounting knowledge while undertaking independent research and complex problem-solving. Graduates leave with a strong interdisciplinary skill set suited to leadership roles in law, accounting, and business.

Focus Areas: Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Contract Law, Legal Research, Corporate Governance, Compliance, Risk Management, Business Ethics.

Learning Outcomes: Develop expertise in accounting and legal principles; analyse financial and legal issues using evidence-based approaches; apply professional judgment to complex business challenges; prepare and interpret financial reports; conduct legal research and advocacy; communicate effectively with professional stakeholders; demonstrate ethical, regulatory, and commercial awareness in decision-making.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
The accounting component is accredited by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). The law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia through completion of the prescribed legal knowledge areas required for professional admission.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):
QUT's Business School holds the prestigious AACSB accreditation, placing it among an elite group of business schools globally. QUT Law is recognised for its strong practical learning focus and industry engagement, while the university consistently ranks among Australia's leading institutions for graduate employability and employer satisfaction.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Business (Accounting) / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) provides extensive practical learning opportunities that allow students to apply accounting and legal knowledge in professional environments before graduation. Students develop hands-on experience through real client work, legal practice simulations, research projects, advocacy activities, and industry-focused accounting assessments. The program is supported by specialist legal and business facilities, professional software, digital research platforms, and opportunities to engage directly with legal practitioners, accounting professionals, courts, and community organisations:

Bold Learning Experiences (Law Work Integrated Learning): Students can undertake practical legal experiences through internships, placements, clinics, and industry projects that connect classroom learning with professional legal practice.
QUT Law Moot Courts: Students participate in simulated court proceedings, developing advocacy, negotiation, legal research, and courtroom presentation skills in facilities designed to replicate real court environments.
QUT Law Clinic: Eligible students work on real legal matters under professional supervision, gaining direct client interaction experience while developing practical legal skills and professional responsibility.
Legal Research Databases and Digital Tools: Students gain access to professional legal research platforms including LexisNexis, Westlaw, and other specialised legal databases used by practising lawyers and legal researchers.
Accounting Industry Projects: Accounting units incorporate authentic business case studies and financial analysis projects where students evaluate accounting issues, prepare reports, and recommend solutions to real-world business challenges.
Business Internship Opportunities: Students may participate in internship and work-integrated learning opportunities through QUT's business and law industry networks, allowing them to gain professional workplace experience before graduation.
Professional Accounting Software Exposure: Students develop familiarity with accounting technologies, financial reporting systems, spreadsheet modelling, and business analytics tools commonly used within the accounting profession.
Group-Based Commercial Problem Solving: Throughout the degree, students collaborate on team projects involving legal analysis, business strategy, financial reporting, and corporate decision-making to build workplace-ready teamwork and communication skills.
QUT Gardens Point Law Library: Students have access to one of Queensland's leading legal research collections, including extensive legal texts, journals, legislation databases, case law resources, and study facilities.
Industry Guest Lectures and Practitioner Engagement: The program regularly incorporates presentations and workshops delivered by judges, barristers, solicitors, accountants, auditors, and industry leaders, providing insights into current professional practice.
Honours Research Experience: The Law (Honours) component enables students to undertake advanced legal research projects, strengthening analytical, research, and critical thinking capabilities valued by employers and postgraduate programs.
Student Competitions and Advocacy Programs: Students can participate in mooting competitions, negotiation competitions, client interview competitions, and commercial law challenges that simulate real professional scenarios.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Business (Accounting) / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) graduate with a highly versatile combination of legal and accounting expertise, enabling them to work across both commercial and legal professions. The dual qualification equips students with strong analytical, regulatory, financial, and advocacy skills that are valued by law firms, accounting practices, government agencies, financial institutions, and multinational corporations. Typical career pathways include Commercial Lawyer, Tax Lawyer, Corporate Accountant, and Compliance & Risk Consultant:

Career Support Services: QUT's Career Development and Employability team provides one-on-one career coaching, resume reviews, interview preparation, career workshops, employer networking events, mentoring programs, and access to the university's online job platform, helping students transition successfully into professional employment.
Industry Connections and Partnerships: QUT Law and Business maintain strong links with leading law firms, government agencies, courts, accounting firms, and professional bodies. Students benefit from industry guest lectures, networking opportunities, legal clinics, internships, and practical projects that connect classroom learning with professional practice.
Professional Legal Experience: Students can participate in QUT's legal clinics, mooting competitions, work-integrated learning opportunities, and practical legal experiences that strengthen advocacy, negotiation, and client engagement skills.
Graduate Employment Outcomes: QUT is recognised for producing work-ready graduates through its strong industry engagement and practical learning focus. The combination of law and accounting provides graduates with a competitive advantage across multiple professional sectors.
Graduate Salary Potential: Graduates entering accounting, taxation, compliance, or legal roles commonly earn between AUD $65,000–$90,000 per year. With professional admission, specialist expertise, and industry experience, salaries may progress to AUD $120,000–$200,000+ per year in senior legal, taxation, corporate advisory, and executive positions.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The Accounting component is accredited by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). The Law (Honours) component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT).
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates possess expertise in financial reporting, taxation, auditing, commercial law, corporate governance, compliance, and legal analysis. This multidisciplinary skill set enables career progression across legal practice, accounting, consulting, regulatory affairs, and corporate leadership.
Global Career Opportunities: The internationally recognised legal and accounting knowledge gained through the degree creates opportunities in multinational corporations, global consulting firms, financial institutions, regulatory agencies, and international law firms.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, graduates may continue their studies through Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a lawyer in Australia. Additional postgraduate pathways include the Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Taxation, Master of Finance, or specialised postgraduate programs in corporate law, commercial law, governance, risk management, and financial regulation. Graduates may also pursue professional qualifications through CPA Australia, CA ANZ, IPA, or ACCA, further enhancing their professional standing and career advancement opportunities.