Master of Professional Accounting – MPA
Wellington, New Zealand
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Sep 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2025
TUITION FEES
NZD 18,122 / per course
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Open up your career options with a globally recognised accountancy qualification that you can fit in with work or fast-track by studying full-time.
Ramp up your Career with a Recognised Accounting degree
Make the move into accounting or get the certification you need to take the next step in your accountancy career. Learn to manage complex accounting and business issues and gain the confidence to provide specialist expertise.
Studying the Master of Professional Accounting at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, you’ll build an understanding of professional practice, ethics, and procedures. You’ll gain insight into the business landscape in New Zealand and across the globe.
You don’t need to have an accounting qualification or a background in the field to study. This makes the MPA ideal for recent graduates or working professionals who want to add accountancy to their skill set.
Become a Chartered Accountant-Faster
With the MPA, you can get a head start in your accounting career and fast-track your journey to becoming a chartered accountant.
There are three steps to becoming a chartered accountant with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ):
- Meet the academic requirements of CA ANZ (which are a prerequisite to the CA Program)
- Complete the CA ANZ CA Program
- Get three years of mentored professional experience
We are the only university in New Zealand where you can pursue a Master of Professional Accounting while also fulfilling the requirements of the CA ANZ CA Program, which will bring you through the first two steps to becoming a chartered accountant.
Workload and Duration
The workload is about 15 hours per course each week.
4 Trimesters, 1.5 years
Full-time
- Full-time MPA students can expect a workload of 60 hours per week
- You can complete the traditional 180-point MPA pathway in three trimesters of full-time study—about 12 months. The 225-point MPA CA pathway can be completed over five trimesters of full-time study—about 21 months
Part-time
- Part-time MPA students can take between one and four courses per trimester
- You must complete all your courses within four years of enrolling in the programme.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Learn about how and what you’ll study for the Master of Professional Accounting.
Two MPA Pathways
There are two pathways to completing the MPA programme. Choose the pathway with the time commitment and accreditation outcome that suits you best.
MPA Traditional Pathway
- Take 11 core courses and 15 points’ worth of further courses
- Study over three trimesters (12 months of full-time study, 180 points)
- Meet the academic requirements of CA ANZ and CPA Australia
- Receive nine qualification exemptions from ACCA
MPA Chartered Accounting Pathway
- Take 11 core courses, one elective course, and six CA ANZ courses (which CA ANZ calls ‘subjects’)
- Study over six trimesters (21 months of full-time study, 225 points). Subject to change depending on the CA ANZ timetable. There are extra tuition fees for the CA ANZ courses and extra trimesters of study
- Meet the academic requirements of CA ANZ and CPA Australia
- Fulfil the technical requirements of the CA ANZ CA Program
- Receive nine qualification exemptions from ACCA
When you graduate on the CA pathway, you’ll be eligible to apply for full Chartered Accountants ANZ membership after you have completed three years of approved employment in New Zealand, Australia, or any other recognised global location—with no further study.
If you are unable to complete the Master’s programme for whatever reason, you may have enough points to graduate with a PGDipPA or PGCertPA.
What You’ll Learn
Develop professional skills in financial management, accounting information systems, financial reporting, business law, auditing, corporate governance, and contemporary accounting standards from around the world.
Build deeper expertise through advanced courses in financial accounting, management accounting, and financial management.
How You’ll Study
You can choose to start in Trimester 1 (March) or Trimester 3 (November). Assessment includes projects, tests, and examinations.
You’ll learn from leading professionals who will encourage you to aim for high-level roles.
MPA teaching staff include current and former members of the accounting standard-setting bodies as well as former partners in major chartered accounting firms. The CA pathway courses are taught by experienced professionals from CA ANZ.
Planning your MPA
To help you plan your study, we have an MPA course guide covering:
- Which courses are available in each trimester
- Whether they’re taught during the day or in the evening
- What are the prerequisites or corequisites are
- A suggested full-time course plan for the traditional pathway that lets you complete your MPA in three trimesters.
Career Opportunities
The MPA helps you fast-track your accounting certification. It’s ideal for recent graduates and working professionals who want to add accountancy to their skill set.
As well as roles in accountancy firms, your MPA can set you up for a career in banking and finance, law, government, not-for-profit organisations, and companies large and small. You’ll be on track to move into roles such as chief financial officer, financial controller, auditor, and finance manager.
Employer Support
The capability boost you get from doing an MPA means your employer may be willing to pay some or all of your costs.