Postgraduate Study in Accounting
Everyone uses accounting in their everyday lives – whether they know it or not.
Online banking, StudyLink, KiwiSaver – all involve accounting concepts.
Accounting is the art and science of measuring, interpreting and communicating financial information.
At Otago, we have a range of interesting and challenging study options in accountancy – and as accountancy is a professional course, you’ll have the opportunity to join one of New Zealand’s professional accountancy bodies.
Why study Accounting?
Accounting is the financial language of business and non-profit organisations. As such, it is probably the most useful tool you can have when entering the business or non-profit world. If you understand the concepts and terminology of accounting, you will have a good grasp of business problems and their solutions.
Accounting is about providing financial information to help organisations plan and meet their various financial, tax or audit obligations. Creating user-friendly, flexible reports requires a team focus and the ability to incorporate other types of information.
Accountants can really make a difference in an organisation. Otago accounting graduates usually gain decision-making roles after a short time in the workplace. Far from being bean counters, they have a dynamic, challenging role. No matter what career you're aspiring to, you will find accounting skills invaluable.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Accounting as an undergraduate at Otago.
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, Master’s, 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 | 2025 | Principles of Accounting | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| ACCT211 | 2025 | Financial Accounting and Reporting | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ACCT222 | 2025 | Cost and Management Accounting | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT233 | 2025 | Fundamentals of Accounting for Financial Decisions | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ACCT260 | 2025 | Introduction to Accounting Analytics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT302 | 2025 | Accounting Performance Management | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ACCT306 | 2025 | Accounting Information Systems and Analytics | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ACCT307 | 2025 | Management Accounting | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT310 | 2025 | Financial Statement Analysis | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT315 | 2025 | Advanced Financial Accounting | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ACCT325 | 2025 | Corporate Sustainability Accounting and Reporting | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ACCT360 | 2025 | Advanced Accounting Analytics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT399 | 2025 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ACCT480 | 2025 | Dissertation or Case Study | 40 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ACCT504 | 2025 | Empirical and Methodological Aspects of Financial Accounting | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| ACCT510 | 2025 | Advanced Performance Management Accounting | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ACCT514 | 2025 | Sustainability Accounting and Reporting | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ACCT599 | 2025 | Special Topic | 20 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ACFI359 | 2025 | Research Methods | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| ACTP311 | 2025 | Auditing Practice | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| ACTP312 | 2025 | 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 2025 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