BBus - Accounting as a major
Major
Unlock your potential with the new Bachelor of Business at Waikato, launching in 2024.
Real-world learning experiences, academic excellence, and flexible study options combine forces to supercharge your future career.
Studying accounting is your pathway to working with clients to help them make their businesses more profitable and successful, and reduce their exposure to financial risk. With accounting you'll gain the skills you need to become a trusted business adviser and make strategic financial decisions for organisations.
Apply to enrol
Key information
| Entry Requirements: | University Entrance, or its equivalent, or on a case-by-case basis. |
|---|---|
| Years: | 3 |
| Points: | 360 |
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): | $7,103 per year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $34,695 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Career opportunities
- Auditor
- Business consultant
- Chief financial officer
- Company accountant
- Financial accountant/controller
- Management accountant
- Tax accountant
Degree Planner
Degree planner — BBus in Accounting (CAANZ, CPA Australia, CIMA and ACCA)
Year 1
100 level
Elective or Minor
100 level
Elective or Minor
Year 2
100 Level or above
Elective or Minor
200 Level or above
Elective or Minor
Year 3
WSAFE 396/399
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
- Major
- Field
- Elective
Experience modules (worth 5 points each) will be offered in the teaching breaks between trimesters A, B and C. If you complete three experience modules, you will receive credit for one 15-point paper at 200 Level.
This information is provisional and subject to change.Work-Integrated Learning papers:
Degree planner — BBus in Accounting (Single or Double Major)
* If you taking the BBus with a double major, choose the higher 300 Level paper indicated in the box.
** BUSAN205 is the recommended paper for the Accounting major
Year 1
Choose one:
FINAN101, MGSYS101, MRKTG101
100 Level
Elective
100 Level
Elective
Year 2
BUSAN201, BUSAN205 **, DIGIB201, or MRKTG205
100 Level or above
Any WMS paper or 3 Experience Modules
200 Level
Elective
200 Level
Elective
200 Level
Elective
Year 3
Choose one of:
ACCTN302, 303, 304, 305, 306 or MNMGT304
WSAFE 396/399
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL)
200 or 300 * Level
Elective
200 or 300 * Level
Elective
200 or 300 * Level
Elective
- Major
- Field
- Elective
Experience modules (worth 5 points each) will be offered in the teaching breaks between trimesters A, B and C. If you complete three experience modules, you will receive credit for one 15-point paper at 200 Level.
This information is provisional and subject to change.
Studying accounting provides you with many different options. It enables you to work in various branches of accounting and a wide range of industries. It’s also beneficial if you want to start up your own company or work in other areas of business.
Read stories from other Accounting students
Papers
Papers available within Accounting
Accountants are trusted business advisors who work with clients to help them make their businesses more profitable and successful. If you enjoy working with numbers and want to help businesses grow, accounting may be a good fit for you. Accounting students can meet the academic requirements of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, CPA Australia or ACCA accountancy professional institutions by taking an approved suite of papers.
Accounting is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Business (BBus) and the Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours (BMS(Hons))[1]. Accounting may also be included as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
To complete Accounting as a single major for the BBus, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Accounting, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete ACCTN101, ACCTN102, ACCTN202, ACCTN203, ACCTN204, ACCTN301, ACCTN308, 15 points from ACCTN302, ACCTN303, ACCTN304, ACCTN305, ACCTN306 or MNMGT304, and one of WSAFE396 or WSAFE399.
To complete Accounting as part of a double major for the BBus or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Accounting, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must complete ACCTN101, ACCTN102, ACCTN202, ACCTN203, ACCTN204, ACCTN301, ACCTN308, and 15 points from ACCTN302, ACCTN303, ACCTN304, ACCTN305, ACCTN306 or MNMGT304.
To complete a minor in Accounting, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Accounting major, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must complete ACCTN101.
NOTES:
[1] There will be no new enrolments into the BMS(Hons) from 2024. Students who commenced a BMS(Hons) in 2023 or prior should contact the Waikato Management School for programme advice.
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCTN101 | Accounting for Management | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton Waikato College), 24B (Tauranga), 24C (Hamilton Waikato College), 24VA (National Economics University, Vietnam) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper focuses on the analysis and use of financial and non-financial information by internal and external stakeholders to make informed business decisions. | |||
| ACCTN102 | Introductory Financial Accounting | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga), 24B (Hamilton) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| This paper teaches students how to record, report, and analyse accounting information and prepare financial statements. The paper involves the use of current accounting software technologies. | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCTN202 | Intermediate Financial Accounting | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga) & 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper deals with the practices, principles and regulations of Financial Reporting in New Zealand with emphasis on financial reporting in partnerships and companies. | |||
| ACCTN203 | Management Accounting: Accounting for Organisational Control | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga) & 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides students with an understanding of management accounting, with emphasis on the use of costing, budgeting, and performance evaluation to make informed business decisions. | |||
| ACCTN204 | Accounting Information Systems | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This paper employs hands-on application of current technologies to prepare students to use and develop accounting systems, to store and retrieve accounting data, and to analyze complex accounting data. | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCTN301 | Capstone in Accounting | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Online (Tauranga)) |
| The development of accounting and accounting theory, the conceptual framework, non-mandatory reporting, ethics and governance, unresolved issues, and a consideration of the nature and scope of accounting. | |||
| ACCTN302 | Financial Accounting | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This paper involves detailed examination of current accounting practices, principles and regulations. | |||
| ACCTN303 | Management Accounting | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This paper examines current theory and practice in management accounting with an emphasis on the design of management accounting systems, and planning, control and performance measurement in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. | |||
| ACCTN304 | Corporate Entities | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This paper explains the laws and regulations that govern the different forms of legal entities, including the significance of separate legal entity. The paper addresses aspects of company incorporation, directors' duties, governance, share transfers, role of company secretary, membership, meetings and dividends and directors and co... | |||
| ACCTN305 | Auditing | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This paper examines professional ethics and current audit practice techniques, audit theory, audit technology, and the process employed to audit financial statement s with a strong emphasis on fostering audit judgement. The paper applies the international and New Zealand Audit standards to practical case studies. | |||
| ACCTN306 | Taxation | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This paper educates students about the main statutes and policy in New Zealand taxation. It also addresses the importance of taxation in business decisions, the calculation of income tax obligations and the preparation of tax returns. | |||
| ACCTN308 | Performance Reporting | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This paper develops competencies in performance reporting pertaining to the key areas of financial management: investment, financing and asset management. | |||
| MNMGT304 | Commercial Transactions | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This paper overviews the sources of New Zealand business law and obligations that arise under this law, and critically examines the importance of key aspects of: the Legal System and Treaty of Waitangi; Jurisdiction; Business forms; Directors duties; Agency; Contracts and On-line Contracts; Consumer Law - Fair Trading Act 1996 and ... | |||
| WSAFE396 | Management Internship | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga), 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga), 24C (Hamilton), 24C (Tauranga) & 24X (Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou China) |
| The Management Internship provides students with the opportunity to apply their management discipline-based knowledge to an authentic project within an organisation. | |||
| WSAFE399 | Report of an Investigation | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Tauranga), 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Tauranga), 24C (Hamilton) & 24C (Tauranga) |
| This paper offers students the opportunity to complete a directed investigation of an approved topic relevant to an organisation or industry and in an area related to their management discipline of study. | |||
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCTN502 | Advanced Financial Reporting | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper equips students with sufficient practical knowledge to appreciate some of the problems involved in preparing advanced financial statements. It will also enhance an understanding of the different issues facing accountants and preparation of general purpose financial reports, as well as enabling students to critically inte... | |||
| ACCTN506 | International Accounting | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores and analyses accounting in a global and transnational context. Similarities and differences between accounting and its regulation in different national contexts, and attempts to harmonise the accounting practices of different countries are discussed. The paper also addresses issues relevant for an appreciation o... | |||
| ACCTN531 | Advanced Management Accounting | 30.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper aims to develop skills and critical ability in management accounting. It will broaden the knowledge of participants by examining the diverse perspectives and approaches evident in the subject of management accounting. | |||
| ACCTN541 | Fraud Auditing and Analytics | 30.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| The paper emphasises contemporary methods for detecting and preventing fraud. Students will engage in case analyses and conduct business data analytics using current technologies. | |||
| ACCTN581 | Professional Development Capstone | 20.0 | 24H (Online) |
| The objective of this paper is to help students develop critical thinking and sound analytical skills about the past, present and future of accounting theory and practice. This paper covers key theoretical positions underlying the practice of accounting as well as key factors effecting the development of the profession. The princip... | |||
| ACCTN582 | Research Project | 20.0 | 24H (Online) |
| Students undertake a research project from an accounting workplace environment. | |||
| ACCTN583 | Professional Internship | 20.0 | 24H (Online) |
| Students undertake a professional internship within an accounting workplace environment. | |||
| ACCTN590 | Directed Study | 30.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| Students have the opportunity to pursue a topic of their own interest under the guidance of academic staff. This paper is available only to Waikato Management School students with the approval of the Chairperson. | |||
| ACCTN591 | Accounting Dissertation | 30.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
| ACCTN592 | Accounting Dissertation | 60.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
| ACCTN593 | Accounting Thesis | 90.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
| ACCTN594 | Accounting Thesis | 120.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
| ACCTP512 | Risk and Technology | 7.5 | No occurrences |
| No description available. | |||
| ACCTP513 | Financial Accounting and Reporting | 7.5 | No occurrences |
| This paper requires candidates to apply International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), or local equivalents, and regulatory and ethical requirements to account for and report on a diverse range of business transactions and events. | |||
| ACCTP514 | Business Performance | 7.5 | No occurrences |
| No description available. | |||
| ACCTP515 | Accounting for Mātauranga Māori and Sustainability | 7.5 | No occurrences |
| No description available. | |||
| ACCTP516 | Tax | 7.5 | No occurrences |
| No description available. | |||
| ACCTP517 | Audit and Risk | 7.5 | No occurrences |
| This paper develops a student's knowledge and skills required for applying professional judgement and professional scepticism in addressing risk in auditing areas where significant professional judgement is required in the context of the audit of general-purpose financial statements. | |||
| ACCTP518 | Integrated Chartered Accounting Practice | 7.5 | No occurrences |
| No description available. | |||
| ACCTP519 | Data Analytics and Insights | 7.5 | No occurrences |
| No description available. | |||
| ACCTP569 | Management Accounting for Organisational Value | 15.0 | 24H (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides an understanding of budgeting, product, and service costing, control, and performance evaluation. The paper also covers the local and global organisational environment within which a business operates relating to management. | |||
| ACCTP570 | Accounting Systems and Processes | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24H (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the form and function of financial statements and how financial transactions are recorded through the understanding of accounting principles and concepts that underlie financial reporting. An understanding of ethical and professional values as important elements to accurate financial reporting will also be covered... | |||
| ACCTP571 | Financial Accounting and Reporting | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores the theoretical principles underlying current accounting practices, principles and regulations and their application to the preparation and analysis of financial statements at a national and international level. | |||
| ACCTP572 | Advanced Auditing | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper aims to develop an awareness of auditing by applying theory to audit practice and audit decision-making. Students will focus on the role of the external auditor, professional expectations, professional ethics, and regulation related to the audit of financials statements. The key concepts of the audit process and the appl... | |||
| ACCTP573 | Management Accounting and Strategic Decision Making | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides an overview of management accounting, decision theory, control theory, economics, and human and organisational behaviour theory and the importance of information for governance and strategic decision making in a global sustainable environment. | |||
| ACCTP574 | Advanced Financial Accounting | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper is designed to deepen understanding of the issues involved in the current practices, principles, and regulations of New Zealand accounting. The paper critically discusses major issues of accounting practice. The paper further facilitates critical and independent thinking, enhances analytical ability, and fosters creativi... | |||
| ACCTP575 | Advanced Taxation | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper covers the fundamentals of the New Zealand taxation system and its administration and aims to help students develop the technical skills in the interpretation and application of the New Zealand Tax Legislation (Income Tax Act 2007, GST ACT 1985 and other related legislations). | |||
| ACCTP576 | Business Law | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to the New Zealand legal system and laws regulation specified business activities. The initial focus is given to the laws applying to business contracts. The paper also cover principles applying to companies. | |||
| ACCTP577 | Performance Reporting | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| The paper will cover the three key areas of financial management decisions relating to investment, financing and asset management. | |||
| ACCTP578 | Accounting Information Systems | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper employs hands-on application of current technologies to prepare students to use and develop accounting systems, to store and retrieve accounting data, and to analyse complex accounting data. | |||
800 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCTN800 | Accounting MPhil Thesis | 120.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | |||
900 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCTN900 | Accounting PhD Thesis | 120.0 | 24I (Hamilton), 24J (Hamilton), 24K (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton) |
| No description available. | |||
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Practical experience
At Waikato, you'll get hands-on experience with specialised accounting software such as MYOB and Xero.
At Waikato, you'll get hands-on experience with specialised accounting software such as MYOB and Xero.
You'll analyse real-life case studies of accounting situations, and learn about the business environment and how managerial decisions are made.
You'll also learn about contracts and trusts, evaluate the impact of taxes, and gain skills in auditing, investment, financing and asset management. You could also undertake an industry internship in an accounting workplace.
If you're new to Hamilton, there'll be plenty of opportunities for you to make new friends with similar interests. You could get involved with Beta Alpha Psi, a student accounting club that runs regular workshops and employer visits.
Professional Accounting study pathway (CA ANZ, CPA Australia or ACCA)
Expand to read Professional Accounting study pathway (CA ANZ, CPA Australia or ACCA)
If you'd like to become a professional accountant one day, first you will need to meet the academic requirements of university study by completing a a recognised Professional Accounting pathway of 16 specific accounting and business papers at Waikato - rather than just a normal major in Accounting (8-9 papers).
With the Bachelor of Business and the Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours, you still have the option of taking a Minor subject (4 papers) alongside your accounting major, if you wish.
However, it won't be possible to take a 2nd Major (8 papers) in another subject unless you are willing to complete an additional 4-5 extra papers.
Once you have graduated with your accounting degree, you can then apply to join and become a provisional member of one of the following four organisations. Please note that you will need to complete further study with that organisation and take professional exams.
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
- CPA Australia
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
For the Professional Accounting pathway, you will need to pass the following 16 papers, in addition to any other compulsory field papers required to complete your BBus degree:
- ACCTN101 Accounting for Management
- ACCTN102 Introductory Financial Accounting
- ECONS101 Economics for Business and Management
- FINAN101 Introduction to Finance
- ACCTN202 Intermediate Financial Accounting
- ACCTN203 Management Accounting: Accounting for Organisational Control
- ACCTN204 Accounting Information Systems
- BUSAN205 Data Analytics with Business Applications
- MNMGT304 Commercial Transactions
- ACCTN301 Capstone in Accounting
- ACCTN302 Financial Accounting
- ACCTN303 Management Accounting
- ACCT304 Commercial Transactions
- ACCTN305 Auditing
- ACCTN306 Taxation
- ACCTN308 Performance Reporting
Options in Tauranga
You can complete a BBus in Accounting in Tauranga. For advice before you enrol, contact a Tauranga Future Student Advisor by emailing [email protected] or phoning 0800 WAIKATO.
Contacts
Management Student Centre (MSC)
Location: MSB.1.50, Waikato Management School, Hillcrest Road, University of Waikato, Hamilton
Phone: +64 838 4303
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.management.ac.nz/msc
Opening hours: 8.30am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday