Take your accounting expertise to the next level at Otago where you’ll explore advanced methods, ask tough questions and sharpen your decision-making.
Why study postgraduate Accounting?
Accounting is the language of organisations when it comes to money, value and decision-making. At postgraduate level you’ll dive deeper into how financial information is measured, interpreted and communicated so you can be more than a number-cruncher.
At Otago you’ll learn how accounting connects with strategy, sustainability, regulation and governance, not just for businesses, but for non-profits and communities too.
Accounting skills open doors: you’ll be able to understand complex business problems, provide meaningful insights, and influence organisational outcomes. Whether you see yourself advising on tax, auditing or helping build more ethical and transparent reporting systems, your study will equip you to take on responsibility, think critically and act with purpose.
Career opportunities
Your postgraduate study in accounting will prepare you for roles where you lead, advise and influence. Potential career pathways include:
- Chartered accountant or auditor in a professional accounting firm
- Financial controller or management accountant in business or government
- Tax specialist or compliance adviser
- Sustainability and reporting analyst (focusing on environmental, social and governance issues)
- Consultancy or advisory role in risk, transaction services or corporate finance
What it’s like to study at this level
As a postgraduate student you’ll engage with advanced accounting concepts through seminars, case studies, research projects and possibly a thesis option. At Otago you’ll benefit from a collaborative environment where you work closely with academic staff and fellow students. You’ll apply your learning to real-world issues such as sustainability reporting or audit practice, and you’ll sharpen your analytical, decision-making and communication skills. By the end of your study you’ll be ready to tackle complex business or not-for-profit challenges, confident in your ability to apply accounting in meaningful ways.
This is for you if ...
You’ll get the most out of this subject if you already have a solid background in accounting or a related discipline (such as finance or business) and you enjoy analysing data, solving problems and communicating ideas clearly.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Accounting as an undergraduate at Otago.
Excel with Otago Business School
Postgraduate accounting at Otago means learning within one of New Zealand’s most respected business schools. You’ll be taught and mentored by academics whose research and professional experience shape how accounting is practised today. The School maintains strong connections with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and other professional bodies, so your study aligns with real-world standards and opportunities. Small class sizes and collaborative projects help you engage deeply with the material and your peers. Whether you’re advancing your professional accreditation or pursuing research at the frontiers of financial reporting, auditing or sustainability, Otago Business School provides the expertise, networks and inspiration to help you excel.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Postgraduate Certificate in Business (PGCertBus)
A coursework programme, typically consisting of three papers, that can be completed with full-time study (half year) or part-time study (full year)
Postgraduate Diploma in Business (PGDipBus)
A two-semester (at full-time), coursework programme, offering specialisation in a variety of subjects and a possible entry pathway into the MBus
Master of Commerce (MCom)
A one-year thesis-only master's degree
Master of Business (MBus)
A coursework degree with an optional research component, awarded in a chosen specialist subject, completed in one-year's full-time or equivalent part-time study
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Engage in original research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by comprehensive academic and social networks
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Thesis |
|---|
|
The Master of Business in Accounting and Finance will be awarded on successful completion of 180 points from one of the three options (Dissertation, Project or Coursework) outlined in the schedule below.
| Option | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 590 Dissertation | 60 | |
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 80 points from the following list, including at least one ACCT and one FINC paper: | 80 | |
| ACCT 504, ACCT 510, ACCT 514, ACCT 599, ACFI 525, BSNS 413, FINC 502 , FINC 503, FINC 505, FINC 510, FINC 511, FINC 512, FINC 520, FINC 544 , FINC 598, FINC 599 | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| Project | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| BSNS 580 Applied Project | 40 | |
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 100 points from the following list, including at least one ACCT and one FINC paper: | 100 | |
| ACCT 504, ACCT 510, ACCT 514, ACCT 599, ACFI 525, BSNS 413, FINC 502 , FINC 503 , FINC 505, FINC 510, FINC 511, FINC 512, FINC 520, FINC 544 , FINC 598, FINC 599 | ||
| Total | 180 | |
| Coursework | Compulsory papers: | |
| BSNS 411 Business Principles for the 21st Century | 10 | |
| BSNS 412 Research Skills and Methods 1 | 10 | |
| ACFI 406 Advanced Financial Econometrics | 20 | |
| Plus papers to the equivalent of 140 points from: | 140 | |
| ACCT 504, ACCT 510, ACCT 514, ACCT 599, ACFI 525, BSNS 413, FINC 502 , FINC 503 , FINC 505, FINC 510, FINC 511, FINC 512, FINC 520, FINC 544 , FINC 598, FINC 599 | ||
| Total | 180 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
ACCT papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACCT102 | 2026 | Principles of Accounting | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| ACCT211 | 2026 | Financial Accounting and Reporting | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ACCT222 | 2026 | Cost and Management Accounting | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT233 | 2026 | Fundamentals of Accounting for Financial Decisions | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ACCT260 | 2026 | Introduction to Accounting Analytics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT302 | 2026 | Accounting Performance Management | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ACCT306 | 2026 | Accounting Information Systems and Analytics | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| ACCT307 | 2026 | Management Accounting | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT310 | 2026 | Financial Statement Analysis | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT315 | 2026 | Advanced Financial Accounting | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ACCT325 | 2026 | Corporate Sustainability Accounting and Reporting | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| ACCT360 | 2026 | Advanced Accounting Analytics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT399 | 2026 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| ACCT504 | 2026 | Empirical and Methodological Aspects of Financial Accounting | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT510 | 2026 | Advanced Performance Management Accounting | 20 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| ACCT514 | 2026 | Sustainability Accounting and Reporting | 20 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| ACCT599 | 2026 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| ACTP311 | 2026 | Auditing Practice | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ACTP312 | 2026 | Taxation Practice | 18 points | Semester 2 |
Contacts
Department of Accountancy and Finance
Otago Business School
Email accountancyfinance@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/accountancyfinance
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
World-class research
The University of Otago has a global reputation for research excellence. Our expertise is vast across health, society, culture, sustainability and the environment.
Explore our research