Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting

What you'll learn

Accelerate your career potential with applied learning and practical skills. Explore with an applied focus:

• Foundational accounting and finance knowledge and skills
• Management and business decision-making
• Business and company law
• Economics
• Cognitive skills and critical thinking

Graduates of the GCPA will have specialised knowledge of key accounting theories, practices and processes and be able to work with teams of finance professionals to apply this knowledge to identify appropriate solutions that address a range of business challenges. Graduates of the GCPA will not be eligible to practice as a qualified accountant.

This course is made up of 4 units

Unit Type: Core Credit points: 6 Prerequisites: None

Unit Description:

This unit provides a comprehensive overview of accounting and the associated systems and processes used across the profession. You will be introduced to accounting, in both theory and practice, looking at the principles that drive how accounting numbers are recorded and the ethical considerations that underpin these principles. In this unit, you will develop a sound understanding of how business decisions are made and how businesses record and report on the results of those decisions. You will critically evaluate a business from financial, environmental, and social viewpoints and draft plans for a more sustainable future. This unit provides the foundation for further study in both financial and managerial accounting.

To be successful in this unit you will need to engage with and prepare a range of assigned materials prior to class. You will be required to read and reflect upon assigned texts and other resources and be ready to apply your learning from these when you come to class. This preparation includes the completion of self-study problems in the Moodle online class space.

Learning outcomes:

• Explain and evaluate the different business structures entities use to conduct business in a range of contexts.
• Analyse the role and purpose of accounting standards and evaluate the accounting principles and concepts that underlie current accounting and financial reporting practices.
• Analyse and record business transactions using both manual and computer-based methods.
• Explain and critically evaluate the nature, role, and importance of ethics in business.
• Critically analyse financial data and statements to evaluate business performance.
• Communicate findings clearly and concisely utilising a range of presentation formats including oral, written and multimedia.

Unit Type: Core Credit points: 6 Prerequisites: None

Unit Description:

This unit introduces a range of key concepts across both macroeconomics and microeconomics. You will develop an understanding of the various economic interrelationships, across both domestic and international environments, and apply this knowledge to analyse and offer solutions to complex real-world problems. This unit covers the concepts of demand and supply, market structures, macroeconomic models, monetary and fiscal policy and current issues in economic management.

To be successful in this unit you will need to engage with and prepare a range of assigned materials prior to class. You will be required to read and reflect upon assigned texts and other resources and be ready to apply your learning from these when you come to class. This preparation includes the completion of self-study problems in the Moodle online class space.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand and explain economic systems and the concept of resource allocation.
• Evaluate and explain the core principles of microeconomics including markets, market structures and market failures.
• Evaluate and explain the core principles of macroeconomics including economic activity, inflation, and employment.
• Analyse and evaluate the role of government in both micro and macroeconomic settings.
• Evaluate the conditions for domestic and international trade.
• Interpret, critically evaluate, and reflect on economic commentary in the media.

Unit Type: Core Credit points: 6 Prerequisites: None

Unit Description:

Accounting and finance are essential elements of any business, no matter its size. This unit provides you with a comprehensive introduction to business finance and examines the fundamentals of financial management. You will learn the analytical skills required to make informed financial decisions and build your knowledge of fundamental corporate financial decision-making topics including:

• goals of financial management
• ethics
• sources of financing
• investment decision-making
• dividend distribution.

This unit will equip you with specialised skills for solving real-world financial problems at both the individual and corporate levels.

To be successful in this unit you will need to engage with and prepare a range of assigned materials prior to class. You will be required to read and reflect upon assigned texts and other resources and be ready to apply your learning from these when you come to class. This preparation includes the completion of self-study problems in the Moodle online class space.

Learning outcomes:

• Apply mathematical formulas, equations and processes to solve and/or inform solutions to a range of financial problems.
• Describe and evaluate the principles and objectives that underpin the key financial structures and environments of a given organisation.
• Analyse and evaluate the financing options, including funding and capital structures, appropriate to a range of identified organisations.
• Explain how capital theory informs organisational decision-making in relation to investments, distribution, risk and management concepts and practices.

Unit Type: Core Credit points: 6 Prerequisites: None

Unit Description:

Knowledge of the law is important for accounting professionals as it forms the basis of all business transactions. This unit provides you with an understanding of the aspects of the Australian legal system that govern commercial transactions and relationships. This unit is structured into two parts: business law and company law. Business law introduces you to the laws of property, torts, contracts and trade practices, and intellectual property. Company law focuses on the types of business structures, the structure and regulation of corporations in Australia, responsibility for company management and governance, members' rights, and insolvency.

To be successful in this unit you will need to engage with and prepare a range of assigned materials prior to class. You will be required to read and reflect upon assigned texts and other resources and be ready to apply your learning from these when you come to class. This preparation includes the completion of self-study problems in the Moodle online class space.

Learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate broad knowledge of the Australian legal system and identify and apply specific legislation relevant to business organisations and accounting practice.
• Critically evaluate legal options for the establishment of new business entities and communicate clear recommendations to a client in a range of complex corporate contexts.
• Ethically apply advanced knowledge of Australian contract and corporations' law to a range of commercial transactions, reporting obligations and risk mitigation activities.