Level 4

Study business accounting support

Interested in numbers? Kick-start your career in accounting support services. Graduate ready to find a job in business and accounting support, such as an accounts or payroll officer.
Overview

Programme highlights

Interested in numbers? Kick-start your career in accounting support services.

Whether you are starting out in the business world or looking to build your skills, study accounting support services and get the core skills in accounting that can lead to well-paid job opportunities.

Study in class or online – or a combination of both. You will learn how to produce the financial information needed for tax returns and payroll, as well Xero Accounting. If you’re looking to work within the financial services profession, then understanding Xero accounting software could be critical to your career.  Included in this programme is also the opportunity to complete an approved Xero Certification.

You will also develop communication skills and a combination of technical and people skills that will help you work well in a team and with clients.

Graduate ready to find a job in business and accounting support, such as an accounts officer or payroll officer.

    Entry requirements

    Entry requirements

    General
    • 40 credits at NCEA Level 1, including 10 Literacy credits and 10 Numeracy credits; or
    • a relevant qualification at NZQF Level 2; or
    • a recognised equivalent.
    English language requirements

    All applicants (international and domestic) for whom English or te reo Māori is not a first language need to provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the programme.

    International students: English language entry requirements

    International applicants are required to have an IELTS (general or academic) score of 5.5  with no individual band lower than 5 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules.

    Special & discretionary admission

    Any ākonga who is 20 years of age or older and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme is eligible for Special Admission. Te Pūkenga works with the ākonga to ensure they are prepared for their intended programme. Any ākonga who is not yet 20 years of age and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme may be eligible for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the delegated authority focuses on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.

    Need IELTS?

    Book your British Council IELTS test with us.

    You will complete your test in one day, plus get free online tuition to help you succeed. We offer paper-based or computer-delivered IELTS. Choose computer-delivered IELTS and get your results in 3-5 days.

    Give yourself credit with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

    Did you know you can use the knowledge and experience you already have to your advantage?

    Your previous work experience and on-the-job skills, volunteering, professional development, and other providers’ qualifications can be recognised as prior learning, matched against credits in our courses, and put towards your qualification – potentially saving you money and possibly helping you to complete your qualification faster Learn more.

    Programme structure

    Programme structure

    You will need to complete the below four courses (50 credits):

    ACCY4201 Accounting Principles (15 credits)

    Develop knowledge, skills and attributes to enable ākonga to apply accounting principles within the accounting cycle when producing financial information.

    Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

    1. Apply accounting principles within the accounting cycle to support a business entity’s objectives
    2. Produce and communicate accounting information to stakeholders in a professional, ethical, socially and culturally appropriate manner
    3. Explain principles of team collaboration in preparing financial information for a business entity.

    ACCY4202 Accounting Software (15 credits)

    Develop knowledge, skills and attributes to use accounting software applications to produce and manage financial information to support a business entity’s objectives.

    Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

    1. Use an accounting software application to produce financial information to support a business entity’s objectives
    2. Process accounts payable and receivable using software to manage financial transactions to support a business entity’s objectives
    3. Generate financial information to communicate professionally with relevant stakeholders in a business setting.

    ACCY4203 Payroll for Accounting Support Services (10 credits)

    Develop knowledge, skills and attributes to use a payroll system in a professional manner to support a business entity’s objectives.

    Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

    1. Prepare payroll records to support a business entity’s objectives
    2. Apply professional and ethical behaviour in preparing payroll records to support a business entity’s objectives.

    ACCY4204 Business Taxation (10 credits)

    Develop knowledge, skills and attributes to work collaboratively and prepare business tax returns to support a business entity’s objectives.

    Upon the successful completion of this course, ākonga will be able to:

    1. Use tax data to support the development of tax returns for a business entity
    2. Prepare tax returns to support a business entity’s objectives.
    Do you want to study a single course, without enrolling into the full programme?

    Courses within some of our programmes may be offered as an individual Certificate of Proficiency (COP). Programme entry requirements and course fees apply. For more information, please speak to our friendly Ask Me! team.

    Careers and pathways

    Career opportunities

    Graduates of this qualification will have the skills and knowledge to be employed in a variety of business entities in accounting support roles including:

    • Accounts officer
    • Payroll officer
    • Sole-charge administrator
    • Accounts payable/receivable
    • Credit controller or accounts assistant.

    Graduates will also be able to contribute to community groups in volunteer accounting functions. For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.

    Fees Free scheme: Free study for the first or final year of your Level 3 or above qualification may be available under the Government’s Fees Free study scheme. Visit feesfree.govt.nz for eligibility criteria and more information. Students must meet New Zealand residency criteria. Note: The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free scheme will replace it, starting from January 2025. Learners who have already used Fees Free in their first year of study won’t be able to access Fees Free under the new final-year policy. However, from now until the end of 2025, first-year Fees Free will operate under ‘first-year transition rules’. For more information, visit feesfree.govt.nz. All free study is subject to availability and funding confirmation. Proof of residency status required. Entry criteria, and some costs, may also apply. Eligibility for student allowances or student loans may vary. Contact StudyLink for more information.

    Information is correct as at 4 December 2024. Programme fees are based on a full-time student and may vary depending on your final selection of courses that make up your programme. Where the fees are indicative, the approximate fees quoted in this publication are based on the indicative 2025 fee structure. The indicative programme fees for 2025 do not include the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The CSSF is an additional levy to your 2025 programme or course fees. Further information about the CSSF can be found here www.manukau.ac.nz/cssf. Programmes stated as eligible for free study in 2025 are based on the 2024 fee structure and subject to funding confirmation for 2025. All fees are in New Zealand Dollars. You will be advised of the current fees at the time of enrolment. All courses and programmes will proceed subject to numbers and academic approval. Manukau Institute of Technology is part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. Te Pūkenga is accredited under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020. International students must study in class and will not be able to enrol for online study options.