Commerce - Pro Accounting at Macquarie (1 Viewer)

[Frostbitten]

This course had an 81.95 cut-off last year. What are the differences between this course and the commerce courses where you major into accounting at UNSW or USYD?

Cheers

 

[kat12345]

Essentially, all accounting degrees will offer you the same foundations.
What really differs them is how they specialise. For example, where you can study Taxation as a second major at UNSW, you can't at Macquarie.

Other than those small things, the courses are very similar. If you look through the learning guides at each university you'll see very similar subjects. They have to teach you things like Taxation Law for instance, as to work as an accountant this is probably something you will come across on a regular basis.

I guess the main idea of Macquarie's professional accounting degree is for students to have a more focused approach to the accounting skill set, whereas at another uni like Sydney or UNSW they might share their focus with other skills, like Finance or Economics.


As well as this, most people studying accounting will look towards doing a CA or CPA. The ICCA has a list of subjects at a university level you will need to complete in order to undertake a CA:
http://www.charteredaccountants.com...Program/Entry-requirements/Accredited-courses


Really it comes down to where you believe you'll get the best education.
UNSW has a very good reputation for commerce and the quality of the teachers, so their courses are always very competitive and sought after. Usyd also has a good reputation, but is narrowly beaten by UNSW in the commerce stakes. This is why these courses need a 90+ ATAR, because so many people want to go there.

Macquarie hasn't got as strong of a reputation for commerce, but the focus on accounting could be seen as very desirable by employers too. If you were undertaking an accounting cadetship also, UNSW or Macquarie might appeal more to you as they offer part time degrees, and Mac has its city campus too. I believe only recently Usyd introduced a part time degree, so for many older students and employees in accounting firms, Usyd won't have been a popular choice (so you may not be able to get as much help from co-workers )

You need to remember, UNSW & Usyd have had significantly longer than all other universities to establish themselves. There is a lot of reputation that people associate with them, particularly because they are part of the Go8 universities. Don't let this influence your decision though. Go to all the universities and ask questions and get a feel for what you think is best for you. If your not enjoying one university, you could always consider transferring to another at a later date!

 

[Frostbitten]

Essentially, all accounting degrees will offer you the same foundations.
What really differs them is how they specialise. For example, where you can study Taxation as a second major at UNSW, you can't at Macquarie.

Other than those small things, the courses are very similar. If you look through the learning guides at each university you'll see very similar subjects. They have to teach you things like Taxation Law for instance, as to work as an accountant this is probably something you will come across on a regular basis.

I guess the main idea of Macquarie's professional accounting degree is for students to have a more focused approach to the accounting skill set, whereas at another uni like Sydney or UNSW they might share their focus with other skills, like Finance or Economics.


As well as this, most people studying accounting will look towards doing a CA or CPA. The ICCA has a list of subjects at a university level you will need to complete in order to undertake a CA:
http://www.charteredaccountants.com...Program/Entry-requirements/Accredited-courses


Really it comes down to where you believe you'll get the best education.
UNSW has a very good reputation for commerce and the quality of the teachers, so their courses are always very competitive and sought after. Usyd also has a good reputation, but is narrowly beaten by UNSW in the commerce stakes. This is why these courses need a 90+ ATAR, because so many people want to go there.

Macquarie hasn't got as strong of a reputation for commerce, but the focus on accounting could be seen as very desirable by employers too. If you were undertaking an accounting cadetship also, UNSW or Macquarie might appeal more to you as they offer part time degrees, and Mac has its city campus too. I believe only recently Usyd introduced a part time degree, so for many older students and employees in accounting firms, Usyd won't have been a popular choice (so you may not be able to get as much help from co-workers )

You need to remember, UNSW & Usyd have had significantly longer than all other universities to establish themselves. There is a lot of reputation that people associate with them, particularly because they are part of the Go8 universities. Don't let this influence your decision though. Go to all the universities and ask questions and get a feel for what you think is best for you. If your not enjoying one university, you could always consider transferring to another at a later date!

Hmmmm, interesting, how disadvantaged do you think someone with a pro accounting degree at Macquarie would be compared to someone with a degree at UNSW, UTS or USYD? In terms of employment prospects, salaries, moving up through an Account. firm, ability to do well/decent in the CA course etc

 

[kat12345]

Hmmmm, interesting, how disadvantaged do you think someone with a pro accounting degree at Macquarie would be compared to someone with a degree at UNSW, UTS or USYD? In terms of employment prospects, salaries, moving up through an Account. firm, ability to do well/decent in the CA course etc

See these are almost always down to things outside of the degree itself.
Graduate salary is dependent on your experience and proof to deliver the skills, as opposed to the prestige of the uni you attended.


I guess if you looked at employment prospects from the view of advertisement and active seeking of graduates from an acocunting firm, they'd definatley be targeting Usyd/UNSW more because of the high prestige.

That being said, a perfect GPA/WAM, range of extra-circular and passion for accounting, but a degree from UTS will be 50345436456% more likely to get you a job than a pass average and no sort of skills or experience to prove yourself with a UNSW degree.

If you look purely based on statistics (which don't outline the OTHER factors besides where you went to uni) UNSW/USYD are both high up there.

Starting graduate salary can vary from 40k to 60k, again, purely depending on your previous work experience, and academic performance.

Moving up through a firm is the same, you can't progress if you don't prove yourself. You might have your UNSW degree, but if you can't do the basic tasks than it really doesn't matter!

As for CA, it comes down to your ability to balance work and study and apply your knowledge. If you looked at it based on what core subjects you need for a CA, the USYD option has the most required subjects (16) and UTS the least (13). Maybe needed to know more info will advantage some, but overwhelm others? I mean honestly, it won't really come down to where you went to uni unless you understand what you are learning. If you have no understanding of what the tutors are talking about, then try another uni. If you still have no understanding after that, maybe accounting isn't your thing?

 

[AsyLum]

And don't forget the ability to communicate, if you don't interview well, no amount of prestige is going to help you

 

[kat12345]

And don't forget the ability to communicate, if you don't interview well, no amount of prestige is going to help you

Very true.
The clarity of your resume, your ability to speak clearly and confidently in an interview, and then your ability to keep up that communication with co-workers, through reports etc, and dealing with clients are also essential.

 

[Frostbitten]

So would this macquarie degree be incredibly hard to get in to say the big 4? Like if I go better than average have a couple of extra curricular activities i should be all good?

 

[kat12345]

So would this macquarie degree be incredibly hard to get in to say the big 4? Like if I go better than average have a couple of extra curricular activities i should be all good?

It would not be harder because you went to Macquarie. As you said, if you go better than average and have extra ciriculars to make you seem like a more rounded person, you'd be more likely to succeed. At a graduate level, a degree which allows you to commence into a CA or CPa is what they want to see, and going to Macqaurie and having strong marks will not hinder you at all.