About the programme
The Master of Professional Accounting is an NZQF Level 9 degree of 180 credits at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), taking 18 months full-time, that gives graduates from any background a complete grounding for a move into accounting. It is accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and CPA Australia.
No previous accounting study is needed. The programme runs over three semesters and has ten compulsory courses: nine 15-credit Level 8 courses, including an internship, and a 45-credit Level 9 research project. Students cover financial and management accounting, taxation, audit, accounting information systems, business finance and economics, and business law. Alongside technical knowledge they build analytical and decision-making skills, cross-cultural teamwork, professional communication and an ethical approach to accounting practice.
Learning is applied, based on case studies and scenario tasks, and mixes workshops, interactive lectures, online activities and independent study. Students choose the topic of their research project themselves. A 75-hour internship with a local organisation is built in: students agree on a project, set goals and use their skills in a real workplace, with the NMIT team helping them find a placement.
Completing the degree satisfies the academic requirements for provisional membership of both CA ANZ and CPA Australia. To become a fully qualified Chartered Accountant, graduates then complete the CA ANZ CA Program and a period of Mentored Practical Experience.
The degree is aimed at graduates of other fields and experienced professionals who want to change career and work in finance.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree or higher with a B- average or better, or a relevant professional qualification recognised as equivalent
- Alternative entry may be approved where applicants show readiness for postgraduate study through study, work or life experience
- If English is not your first language: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no subtest below 6.0
- Strong digital skills and your own device with internet access for blended learning
What you study
- Financial Accounting
- Advanced Financial Accounting
- Strategic Management Accounting
- Taxation
- Audit and Assurance
- Accounting Information Systems
- Business Finance and Economics
- Business Law and the Business Environment
- Internship (75 hours)
- Research Project (45 credits, Level 9)
Careers after graduation
- Pathway to Chartered Accountant (CA) or Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) status
- Financial accountant
- Management accountant
- Auditor
- Tax specialist
- Banking roles
- Business consultancy in the private and public sectors
Post-study work visa
Up to 3 years
Depends on the qualification, the length of study and other Immigration New Zealand requirements.
This description is based on the official programme page, checked on 19/09/2026. Ask an NIU adviser about fees and intake dates — the programme page on the NMIT website