• Before you enrol
• Communication skills
• Intellectual - conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
• Behavioural and social skills

Committed to equity and diversity

At UniSC, we are committed to facilitating the integration of all students into the University community.

Reasonable adjustments in teaching and/or assessment methods can be made for students provided those adjustments do not compromise the inherent requirements of the program.

The inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting are the fundamental skills and abilities that the student must be able to achieve in order to demonstrate the essential learning outcomes of the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting.

This Statement provides realistic information about the inherent academic requirements that you must meet in order to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting so you can make an informed judgement about your ability to fulfil them.

Externally accredited

The University of the Sunshine Coast offers the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting which meet CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand and the Institute of Public Accountants accreditation requirements and provides graduates with the necessary qualification to be admitted for associate membership of these professional bodies.

To gain full membership, graduates must complete the requirements of the chosen professional body’s qualification program. It is the responsibility of the student to confirm with the three Australian accounting bodies (CPA, ICAA and IPA) whether any credit granted will impact on their eligibility for professional association membership.

Key Accounting practice skills are embedded and assessed throughout the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting.

Skills you need

The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting have inherent academic requirements in three categories: 

• Communication skills
• Intellectual, such as conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities
• Behavioural and social skills 

Before you enrol

If you intend to enrol in the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) or the Master of Professional Accounting at the University of the Sunshine Coast, look carefully at the inherent academic requirements listed in this statement and think about whether you might experience challenges in meeting them.

If you think you might experience challenges related to your disability, health condition or for any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a University Ability Adviser or School staff member.

Reasonable adjustments

Students with disabilities or other special circumstances may be provided with reasonable adjustment to enable them to meet the inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting if the adjustment is:

• logistically reasonable
• likely to result in the student being able to perform the skills adequately and in a timely manner.

Support and further information is available from UniSC

• Ability Advisers

• Career Advisers

• Relevant academic contacts

Communication skills

• Verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Written communication skills
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills
• Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Skills 

The students must have the capacity to demonstrate

• ability to communicate, and to understand accurately verbal communication in English, and respond verbally, in English, to a standard that allows fluid, clear, timely, and comprehensible two-way discussions
• ability to understand and to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation
• ability to express ideas concisely and clearly with the capacity to develop skills in verbal reasoning
• listening comprehension skills that equip the student to deal with varied situations, from note-taking in lectures to work placement situations
• sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences in their communication and ability to interact appropriately in different situations

Justification

This is an inherent academic requirement of the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting because:

• Effective business communication is a vital skill for every businessperson.
• Effective and respectful two-way communication, via verbal and non-verbal means, is required to participate in tutorials and group assessment tasks and, for creating safe learning environments.
• English language and literacy skills are the foundation from which students will develop and apply skills in delivering a sustained and organised academic argument.
• Interactivity of communication is necessary for receiving and implementing instructions and feedback and for resolving complex problems experienced in academic and professional accounting settings.

Adjustments

Adjustments must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure appropriate support.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• Engage in discussions, make verbal presentations and participate in tutorials and groupwork, conveying spoken and written messages, including complex academic perspectives, accurately and effectively.
• Be able to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to verbal communication and non-verbal communication cues accurately and appropriately.
• Demonstrate appropriate awareness of own behaviours and their impact on others and show sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences.

Effective written communication

Students must have the capacity to demonstrate ability to

• construct coherent, timely and professional written communication in English compliant with academic writing conventions and appropriate to the circumstance.
• read and comprehend a range of literature and information in English.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting because:

• Construction of written tasks that adhere to required academic standards is necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter.
• Effective written communication in English is a fundamental aspect of accounting and business practices.

Adjustments

Adjustments must allow students to meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective acquisition, recording, comprehension and transmission of information in academic and any work placement settings.

Exemplars

As a student, you must: 

• Construct essays, reports and other written work that meet academic and professional standards.
• Paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic, professional and/or organisational practice conventions

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills 

Students must have the capacity to acquire and demonstrate sound working skills in applying information and communication technologies (ICT) to communicate via a range of ICT applications and systems in both academic and professional settings.

Justification

These are inherent requirements of the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting because competent ICT skills are essential to:

• Successfully accessing, applying and communicating information to meet learning outcomes.
• Preparing and completing assessment tasks and submitting assessment items online.
• The Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and the Master of Professional Accounting provide eligibility for associate membership of CPA Australia, The Institute of Chartered Accountants and The Institute of Public Accountants.

Adjustments

Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively use a range of ICT to apply and communicate accurate information. UniSC has in place a range of strategies and technology to support students with disabilities. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the University’s AccessAbility Service.

Exemplars

As a student you must:

• Employ a range of ICT skills, such as internet searching, word processing and creating and using (Excel) spreadsheets, to complete written and audio-visual learning and assessment activities.
• Use a range of software applications and devices for academic, research and placement purposes, in face-to-face and online synchronous and asynchronous communication environments.
• Develop high level computerised accounting skills.

Behavioural and Social Skills

Students must have the capacity to demonstrate behavioural stability and adaptability in academic and professional environments which may be at times challenging and unpredictable. Students must be able to work with others and share responsibility for outcomes in a range of roles and contexts. Students must be able to demonstrate cultural, environmental and social awareness and ethical and reflective practice – e.g. in tutorials, workshops, field trips and/or work placements.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and the Master of Professional Accounting because students must be able to work constructively and ethically in socially and culturally diverse academic and placement environments. Further, students need to demonstrate behavioural stability and ethical behaviour to meet the professional requirements of CPA Australia, The Institute of Chartered Accountants and The Institute of Public Accountants.

Adjustments

Adjustments must support stable, effective, ethical and professional behaviour in academic and professional settings.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• be able to engage with peers and staff appropriately and with sensitivity in discussion settings in the classroom and in team tasks and be receptive and professional in responding appropriately to constructive written and verbal feedback.
• demonstrate an ability to reflect on ethical considerations and issues and take responsibility for ensuring own ethical behaviour.
• manage your own emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with others both in University and placement settings.

Intellectual – Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities

Students must have the capacity to demonstrate knowledge and application of theory and the skills of cognition, comprehension and numeracy, which includes:  

• Numeracy, literacy, knowledge, cognitive and metacognitive skills appropriate to the discipline.
• Capacity for independent critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, critical analysis, decision making, rational inquiry and self-directed learning.
• Ability to develop intellectual skills in a variety of academic and professional contexts and to apply acquired skills and knowledge in practice.

Justification

These are inherent academic requirements of the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting because conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities are necessary for the students to be able to fulfil the required range of academic and practice tasks.

Adjustments

Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded.

Exemplars

As a student, you must:

• Conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge to fulfil academic assessment tasks.
• Read, interpret, synthesise and comprehend information from multiple sources.
• Build strong conceptual frameworks and apply knowledge of theories, models, concepts, policy, procedures and practice; in classroom discussions, groupwork, assessments and professional contexts.
• Be able to accurately process and reason with numbers and numerical data, accounting formulae and concepts relevant to the discipline.
• Be aware of your own thinking and demonstrate skills to reflect, evaluate, adapt, and implement cognitive strategies for improved learning