Bachelor of Commerce(Accounting) / Economics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) / Economics at the UNSW Sydney Campus, Kensington, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia is a four-year double degree that combines professional accounting expertise with a deep understanding of economic systems, policy, and market behaviour. Ideal for students who enjoy analytical thinking, financial decision-making, and understanding how businesses and economies operate, the program develops both technical accounting skills and economic problem-solving capabilities.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students establish a strong foundation in both commerce and economics by studying core subjects such as Accounting and Financial Management 1A, Microeconomics 1, and Business Decision Making. These courses introduce financial reporting principles, economic reasoning, and quantitative methods used in modern business environments.

Year 2:
The second year builds specialised knowledge through subjects such as Accounting and Financial Management 1B, Macroeconomics 1, and Intermediate Financial Accounting. Students develop a deeper understanding of financial statements, economic policy, and the broader factors influencing business and financial markets.

Year 3:
Students progress to advanced topics including Corporate Accounting and Regulation, Econometrics, and Intermediate Microeconomics. During this stage, they learn how accounting standards, regulatory frameworks, and economic modelling are applied to real-world business and policy challenges.

Year 4:
In the final year, students complete higher-level studies such as Auditing and Assurance Services, Taxation of Business Entities, and advanced economics electives. The focus shifts toward professional practice, strategic analysis, research, and applying accounting and economic expertise to complex organisational and policy issues.

Focus Areas:

Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Economic Theory, Econometrics, Public Policy Analysis, Financial Markets, Corporate Regulation, Quantitative Analysis.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop expertise in financial reporting, auditing, taxation, economic analysis, econometric modelling, business decision-making, policy evaluation, and professional communication while gaining the analytical skills required to solve complex commercial and economic challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The accounting component is accredited by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), providing graduates with a pathway toward professional accounting qualifications.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

UNSW Business School is internationally recognised for excellence in business education and graduate employability. UNSW consistently ranks among Australia's leading universities and is highly regarded globally for Accounting & Finance and Economics, with strong employer recognition and industry engagement.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) / Economics at the University of New South Wales combines professional accounting training with economic analysis, ensuring students develop both technical expertise and real-world problem-solving skills. Throughout the degree, students engage with practical business cases, data analysis projects, industry-led learning experiences, and technology-enhanced coursework that reflects contemporary accounting and economic practice. The UNSW Business School places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, giving students opportunities to apply classroom concepts to real financial, business, and policy challenges.

This hands-on approach is supported by specialised facilities, industry engagement opportunities, and professional development experiences:

Business School Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Students can participate in internships, consulting projects, industry placements, and experiential learning initiatives that provide exposure to real workplace environments.
Career Accelerator Program: Connects students with industry projects, professional networking opportunities, internships, and employer-led experiences designed to enhance employability before graduation.
Professional Accounting Accreditation Pathway: Accounting studies are aligned with the educational requirements of CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), allowing students to develop industry-relevant professional competencies throughout their studies.
Economic Analysis and Research Projects: Economics courses involve applied quantitative analysis, policy evaluation, economic modelling, and research-based projects using real-world economic and financial data.
Bloomberg Trading Room Access: Students gain exposure to industry-standard financial information platforms and market data resources used by professionals across finance, accounting, and economics sectors.
Data Analytics and Statistical Software: Coursework incorporates tools commonly used in business and economics, including statistical and data analysis software for forecasting, economic modelling, and business decision-making.
Industry Case Studies and Group Projects: Many courses involve collaborative projects, presentations, and business case analyses that replicate professional accounting, consulting, and economic advisory environments.
UNSW Business School Career Events: Students can attend employer presentations, networking events, workshops, and recruitment programs featuring leading accounting firms, banks, consulting organisations, and government agencies.
UNSW Business Insights Institute: Provides opportunities for engagement with industry-focused research, business innovation initiatives, and contemporary economic and commercial issues.
UNSW Library Services: Students have access to extensive business, accounting, finance, and economics databases, digital research collections, collaborative study spaces, and specialised academic support services.
Student-Led Professional Societies: Opportunities to participate in accounting, economics, finance, and commerce societies that organise networking events, industry competitions, leadership activities, and employer engagement programs.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) / Economics at the University of New South Wales develop a unique combination of accounting expertise and economic analysis skills, enabling them to understand both organisational financial performance and broader economic trends. This dual qualification prepares graduates for careers in accounting, consulting, financial services, government policy, and economic research, making them highly attractive to employers across multiple sectors.

Typical roles include: Accountant, Economic Analyst, Financial Consultant, Policy Analyst.

Career Development Support: UNSW Employability and Career Discovery: Provides personalised career coaching, resume and interview workshops, employer networking events, mentoring programs, internship support, and access to graduate recruitment opportunities with leading accounting firms, financial institutions, consulting organisations, and government agencies.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Insight: Graduates with accounting and economics expertise typically achieve strong employment outcomes, with median graduate starting salaries of approximately AUD 75,000–85,000 per year, depending on industry and role, with excellent long-term career progression opportunities.
Industry Partnerships: UNSW Business School Industry Connections: Students benefit from engagement with major employers including the Big Four accounting firms, banking institutions, consulting companies, government departments, and multinational corporations through internships, industry projects, case competitions, and networking events.
Accreditation & Long-Term Value: Professional Accreditation: The accounting component is accredited by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), providing a recognised pathway toward professional accounting certification while also delivering strong economic and policy analysis expertise.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop advanced capabilities in accounting, taxation, auditing, economic analysis, quantitative modelling, business strategy, and evidence-based decision-making, enabling them to contribute effectively across finance, consulting, government, and corporate sectors.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Commerce, Master of Economics, Master of Finance, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Management, or research-focused honours and doctoral programs. Professional qualifications through CPA Australia, CA ANZ, and IPA can further strengthen career advancement, while postgraduate economics and finance studies can open pathways into specialist analytical and leadership roles.