Bachelor of Business(Accounting)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Murdoch University Australia

Program Overview

Study at Murdoch University’s Perth Campus (South Street Campus), Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia, and develop the technical accounting expertise, analytical skills, and business knowledge needed to succeed in today’s financial and corporate environments. Ideal for students who enjoy working with numbers, solving business problems, and supporting strategic decision-making, this degree combines accounting theory with practical industry knowledge while preparing graduates for professional accounting careers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you will build a strong foundation in business and accounting principles while developing an understanding of how organisations operate. Through units such as Introduction to Accounting (BUS163), Foundations of Economics (BUS171), and Management in a Global Environment (BUS123), you will learn how businesses record financial information, respond to economic forces, and operate within a global business landscape.

Year 2

The second year focuses on developing core accounting and financial management capabilities that are essential for professional practice. Units including Introduction to Finance (BUS140), Management Accounting (BUS287), and Corporate Finance (BUS286) help you understand budgeting, financial decision-making, performance evaluation, and the role of finance in organisational success.

Year 3

In the final year, you will explore advanced accounting concepts and professional standards while preparing for industry practice. Through units such as Accounting Theory and Accountability (BUS304), Auditing (BUS306), Taxation (BUS303), and Contemporary Financial Accounting (BUS356), you will learn how to interpret accounting regulations, assess financial reporting quality, conduct audits, and apply taxation principles in real-world business contexts.

Focus Areas: Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Corporate Finance, Business Law, Financial Reporting, Risk Assessment, Accounting Technology, Economic Analysis.

Learning Outcomes: Develop the ability to prepare and analyse financial statements, evaluate business performance, apply accounting standards and taxation legislation, conduct audits, assess financial risks, utilise accounting technologies, support ethical business decision-making, and communicate financial information effectively to stakeholders.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The Bachelor of Business (Accounting) is professionally accredited by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). Graduates may also be eligible for module exemptions within the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification Foundation Program, subject to professional body requirements.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Murdoch University highlights that accounting professionals remain in strong demand across industries, with graduates progressing into careers in professional accounting, auditing, taxation, advisory services, executive leadership, consulting, and risk management. Murdoch notes that many Accounting graduates secure graduate opportunities with major employers, including Big Four accounting firms and leading organisations across finance, mining, and energy sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at Murdoch University is designed to move beyond accounting theory and help students develop practical, industry-relevant skills. Throughout the degree, students work with real business scenarios, analyse financial information, apply taxation and auditing principles, and learn how technology is transforming the accounting profession. Students also benefit from Murdoch's strong industry connections, career development initiatives, and modern learning facilities at the Perth campus, ensuring they graduate with both technical expertise and professional capabilities. As students progress through the program, they gain hands-on exposure to contemporary accounting practices through the following opportunities and resources:

Technology and Accounting Processes : Students complete the dedicated unit Technology and Accounting Processes (BUS285), where they learn how digital technologies and accounting systems are used in modern business environments. This ensures graduates understand the technological side of financial reporting and business operations.
Industry-Relevant Accounting Projects : Throughout units such as Management Accounting, Contemporary Financial Accounting, Auditing, and Taxation, students analyse business cases, interpret financial statements, assess financial risks, and develop solutions to real-world accounting challenges.
Professional Accounting Skills Development : The curriculum develops practical competencies in budgeting, forecasting, financial statement analysis, business reporting, negotiation, ethical decision-making, and regulatory compliance, reflecting the skills expected by employers and professional accounting bodies.
Murdoch Launchpad Innovation Hub : Students have access to Murdoch's Launchpad initiative, which provides mentoring, networking opportunities, entrepreneurship support, and collaboration with industry professionals, helping students develop commercial awareness and business problem-solving skills.
Professional Accreditation Alignment : The degree is professionally accredited by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), ensuring learning activities and assessments align with industry standards and professional expectations.
Career and Employability Support : Murdoch Business School provides career preparation opportunities including employer engagement activities, networking events, career workshops, and connections with graduate employers across accounting, consulting, finance, and advisory sectors. Many graduates secure opportunities with major employers including Big Four accounting firms.
Libraries and Digital Resources : Students can access the Geoffrey Bolton Library, which offers extensive accounting, finance, taxation, and business databases, research materials, digital journals, study spaces, and academic support services.
Collaborative Learning Environment : Group assignments, presentations, case analyses, and problem-solving activities are embedded throughout the degree, helping students develop teamwork, communication, and professional consulting skills required in accounting careers.
Modern Perth Campus Facilities : Students study at Murdoch University's Perth campus, which provides contemporary business learning spaces, computer laboratories, collaborative study areas, and technology-enabled classrooms that support practical business education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at Murdoch University are equipped with practical accounting, financial analysis, taxation, auditing, and business advisory skills that are valued across a wide range of industries. The degree prepares students for careers as an Accountant, Auditor, Tax Consultant, Assistant Accountant, Financial Analyst, Business Consultant, or Risk Adviser, while also providing the academic foundation required for professional accounting qualifications.

University Services: Murdoch supports student employability through dedicated career development initiatives, including Career Learning Units, Building Enterprise Skills, Real World Learning, industry placements, career coaching, networking opportunities, and employability workshops designed to help students transition successfully into the workforce.
Employment Stats and Salary Figures: Accounting graduates in Australia typically enter graduate accounting, audit, taxation, and advisory roles with median starting salaries commonly ranging from AUD $60,000–$75,000 per year, with strong potential for progression into senior accounting, financial management, and executive leadership positions as professional qualifications and experience are gained. Murdoch highlights accounting as a profession with consistent demand across industries.
University–Industry Partnerships: Murdoch's accounting graduates are recruited by leading organisations across professional services, mining, energy, government, and finance sectors. The university notes that many students secure graduate opportunities with major employers including the Big Four accounting firms — EY, PwC, Deloitte, and KPMG — providing valuable pathways into highly regarded accounting and advisory careers.
Long-term Accreditation Value: A significant advantage of this degree is its professional accreditation by CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Graduates who complete the required accounting pathway satisfy the academic requirements for entry into these globally recognised professional programs, enhancing long-term career mobility and professional credibility. The degree also provides eligibility for certain exemptions within the Singapore CA Qualification Foundation Programme.
Graduation Outcomes: Upon graduation, students possess expertise in financial reporting, management accounting, auditing, taxation, corporate finance, and ethical business practice. These skills enable graduates to work within public accounting firms, multinational corporations, government agencies, not-for-profit organisations, and entrepreneurial ventures, while also providing a pathway toward senior leadership positions such as Financial Controller or Chief Financial Officer.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Bachelor of Business (Accounting), graduates can continue their professional and academic development through programs such as the CPA Program, Chartered Accountants Program (CA ANZ), or postgraduate study including a Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance, or other specialised business master's degrees. These pathways allow students to deepen their expertise, gain professional recognition, and expand career opportunities in accounting, finance, consulting, and executive management.