MMS - Accounting as a main subject
Second Subject, Main Subject
Set yourself up as a future business leader and rise to the top of your profession with specialist management expertise. Get the edge over other graduates with a Master of Management Studies from Waikato's Triple Crown Accredited business school.
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.
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Key information
| Years: | 1 to 1.5 |
|---|---|
| Points: | 120 or 180 |
| Start Dates: | February (A Trimester A) and July (B Trimester) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): | 2023 fees: $8,345 (120 pts) - $12,518 (180 pts) per programme |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | 2023 fees: $34,085 (120 points) $51,130 (180 points) per programme |
| Entry Requirements: | Postgraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| *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 — MMS in Accounting - 180 points total
Your MMS must include at least 120 points inside the field of your specialist subject. You may take up to 60 points outside the field of the degree.
Outside field of degree (up to 60 points)
ELECTIVE PAPERS
in any subject at 500 Level (up to 30 points)
Field of degree - Subject papers (up to 120 points)
Choose up to 120 points from the following papers:
Field of degree - Research papers (at least 30 points)
Research - choose one of the following papers:
- Field of degree
- Explanatory note
- Compulsory paper
- Elective paper/s
Please note: Admission to each paper requires the approval of the Subject Convenor. In some cases, you may be asked to complete some prerequisite papers.
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
Prescriptions for the PGCert(Acc), PGDip(Acc), BBus(Hons), MMS and MPAcct
The qualification regulations define the subject requirements for the BBus(Hons), PGCert(Acc), PGDip(Acc) and MMS. There are no specified subject papers that must be completed for the BBus(Hons), PGCert(Acc) and PGDip(Acc) programmes.
MMS students must complete MNMGT581 and one of ACCTN590, ACCTN591, ACCTN592, ACCTN593 or ACCTN594. Students taking the 120 point MMS are required to complete at least 60 points from the papers listed for the subject. Students taking the 180 point MMS are required to complete at least 120 points from the papers listed for the subject.
MPAcct students must complete ACCTN570, ACCTN571, ACCTN572, ACCTN573, ACCTN574, ACCTN575, ACCTN576, ACCTN577, ACCTN578, ACCTN581, one of ACCTN582 or ACCTN583, ECONS506, ECONS507 and MNMGT504.
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCTN502 | Advanced Financial Reporting | 30.0 | 23B (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 | 23A (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 | 23B (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 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| The paper emphasises contemporary methods for detecting and preventing fraud. Students will engage in case analyses and conduct data analytics using current technologies. | |||
| ACCTN570 | Fundamental Accounting for Decision Making | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23H (Hamilton) |
| This paper emphasises learning the preparation of financial records and also provides an understanding of the techniques and issues related to management accounting. | |||
| ACCTN571 | Financial Accounting | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper addresses financial reporting principles, regulations and practices in New Zealand with emphasis on financial reporting in partnerships and companies. | |||
| ACCTN572 | Advanced Auditing | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper examines current audit practice techniques, audit theory, audit technology, and the processes employed to audit financial statements. The paper fosters professional judgement and inter-personal skills. | |||
| ACCTN573 | Management Accounting and Control Systems | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper will provide an overview of some of the developments in the management accounting field. Emphasis throughout the paper will be placed on the importance of information to decision makers. Techniques of planning and control will be examined. The importance of feedback will be stressed and the distinction between feedback a... | |||
| ACCTN574 | Advanced Financial Accounting | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| The paper is designed to deepen understanding of the issues involved in the current practices, principles and regulations of accounting within the New Zealandenvironment. The paper critically discusses major issues of accounting practice. The paper further facilitates critical and independent thinking, enhances analytical ability a... | |||
| ACCTN575 | Advanced Taxation | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| 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. | |||
| ACCTN576 | Commercial and Corporate Law | 15.0 | 23A (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. | |||
| ACCTN577 | Performance Reporting | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| The paper will cover the three key areas of financial management decisions relating to investment, financing and asset management. | |||
| ACCTN578 | Accounting Information Systems | 15.0 | 23B (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. | |||
| ACCTN581 | Professional Development Capstone | 20.0 | 23G (Online) & 23H (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 | 23G (Online) & 23H (Online) |
| Students undertake a research project from an accounting workplace environment. | |||
| ACCTN583 | Professional Internship | 20.0 | 23G (Online) & 23H (Online) |
| Students undertake a professional internship within an accounting workplace environment. | |||
| ACCTN590 | Directed Study | 30.0 | 23X (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 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
| ACCTN592 | Accounting Dissertation | 60.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation. | |||
| ACCTN593 | Accounting Thesis | 90.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
| ACCTN594 | Accounting Thesis | 120.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research. | |||
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 core field papers required to complete your BBus or BMS(Hons) degree:
- ACCTN101 Accounting for Management
- ACCTN102 Introductory Financial Accounting
- ECONS101 Business Economics and the New Zealand Economy
- FINAN101 Introduction to Finance
- ACCTN202 Intermediate Financial Accounting
- ACCTN203 Management Accounting: Accounting for Organisational Control
- ACCTN204 Accounting Information Systems
- ECONS205 Data Analytics with Business Applications
- MNMGT304 Commercial Transactions
- ACCTN301 Capstone in Accounting
- ACCTN302 Financial Accounting
- ACCTN303 Management Accounting
- ACCT304 Corporate Entities
- ACCTN305 Auditing
- ACCTN306 Taxation
- ACCTN308 Performance Reporting
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: 8.45am - 4.45pm Monday to Friday
One of the best times to pop into MSC is Open Advice Day, held every Wednesday from 10am to 2pm.