Reshape your business career with a speciality in accounting
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Duration and study methods
Full-time for 1 year (34 teaching weeks), part-time available.
The maximum time to complete this programme part-time is 4 years. -
Start dates
February, July
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Qualification
Graduate Diploma in Accounting (Level 7)Programme code: MN4536 -
Credits
120 -
Locations
MIT Manukau
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Domestic fees
$6,600 (approx.)
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International fees
NZD$25,000 (approx.)
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Free* study
Explore the free options available for this programme, and check your eligibility:
Programme highlights
Every business, from start-ups to the large corporations, need accountants.
Study a Graduate Diploma in Accounting and you will have a firm grounding in the skills necessary to meet most accounting needs of any business.
You will learn both theory and practice of professional accountancy, as well as critical thinking, decision-making and analytical skills.
You will also graduate, having completed a real-world accounting project, ensuring you have hands-on experience when you enter the job market.
"I chose MIT because of its strong reputation.
My qualification from MIT definitely helped me secure my current job as a tax consultant at KPMG. The course ‘Taxation in NZ’ helped me to obtain the academic and technical knowledge, and the industry project helped me to apply that knowledge into practice.
The learning at MIT is not just class based. For example, I am using my accounting and taxation studies regarding Deferred Tax treatment, Imputation Credits at my current role. I think it’s really important to have such learnings built into your course outline as it will make you learn those things faster at your job and distinguish you from others.
What I loved most is that MIT had small and manageable class sizes which helped me make good relationships with my lectures. I also made some good friends because of the team project work. My queries were also answered on a one-on-one basis which made me appreciate MIT even more.
Prior to studying I was working as a retail assistant as I could not get a job in accounting without having a qualification first. I have always had an interest in accounting, it’s what my father studied, so I guess, maybe its hereditary.
Accounting is a high demand job, and you can not only get a good salary in this field, but you can also have an option of setting up your own business and be self-employed.
I would highly recommend students to study at MIT. The small class size, interactive learning course pattern and friendly and helpful staff made my experience unique at MIT.”
Tanvi Mehandiratta
MIT graduate
"I’d always wanted to become a Chartered Accountant. Studying business and accounting at MIT was the first step in getting this qualification. It helped guide me to my current role as founder and Director of a small Chartered Accounting firm.
The practical nature of the learning at MIT and the lecturers who could use their personal industry experience as examples definitely helped cement my choice. The qualifications I gained gave me the base to work in roles in the public and private sectors. MIT offered the flexibility to study in the evenings while I was working full-time. The small classes helped in getting more one-on-one time with the lecturers and the supportive family environment really stood out for me.
Now my firm employs seven people, and I would definitely consider hiring more MIT graduates. The qualifications I received from MIT have helped me get to where I am today.”
Eli Elisara Saina Tagi
MIT graduate
"I chose to study at MIT because they have small class sizes and my study could fit around my work and personal life. Also, the accounting degree was recognised by the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants which meant I could go straight into the profession once I graduated.
When I graduated from MIT my first job was with Transpacific Waste Management. One of the reasons they employed me was because I had gained a lot of practical skills at MIT, meaning I could hit the ground running when I started working for them.
My MIT degree has definitely given me a great foundation for my career."
Kirstin Burt
MIT graduate
“I chose to study business and accounting because there are good job opportunities in these industries. If you take it seriously you will have a solid career and be recompensed for your good work.
I had recently moved to New Zealand, and I was learning English before studying. At MIT I felt included for the first time after three years of living in New Zealand, I felt I had a family, and I was finally being part of the New Zealand culture. I choose MIT because the campus is close to my house, however, soon I started loving the environment, the culture, the small classes, and the lectures. The lecturers know you by name, they will sit by your side, and they will help you out. You will learn real-word activities and will be confident about yourself.
I had assignments focused on practise; MIT led me to the job market faster.
I am in my current job because MIT placed me there to complete my industry project. The placement was essential to put me in the job market. I had so many interviews before that, however, I could not show all my potential and who I was in a one-hour interview. The placement gave me the opportunity to show my employer my good work.
At the beginning it was not very accounting-related, but I asked for more responsibilities and more accounting-related tasks. They liked my attitude and provided me with tasks such as bank reconciliation, processing invoices and doing some simple journals; after two months I started completing my first set of financial reports and tax returns for a small client. They liked me and offered me a permanent job position as their junior accountant even before I concluded the placement period.
I bring the practice from my classroom assignments and exercises to my work.
About three months after I graduated, still working in my current position, I received an email from a client telling us they were considering buying a new business. Before I forwarded the email to my boss, I remembered some of my assignments at MIT – researching about buying, starting, and doing analyses about a business. So, I wrote down a list of personal advice that I considered important for that business such as target market, product pricing, direct and indirect costs and showed to my boss. My boss used most of my notes to advise the client about their business purchase and I was able to do that just because I had so many practice exercises about the real-world of business from MIT.”
Suelem Da Costa Pereira
MIT graduate
“My qualification from MIT helped me secure a graduate role at Deloitte NZ as a Junior Associate. I applied for graduate roles at all top six accounting firms in NZ, had interviews at five firms, and was presented with three employment offers.
Accounting has always been something that I wanted to do. It provides excellent opportunities in both New Zealand and around the world. It’s also a profession with excellent growth opportunities, salary advantages, and flexible work options. You don’t necessarily have to become an accountant. It could be used as background to start your own business. Having studied accounting, you will have more knowledge about the business environment, legislation regulating this environment, and the financials of the environment and business.
At MIT it wasn’t always about learning the academic work like a parrot. We had more practical interactions and assessments that tested what we could expect in the real world. MIT provides open-plan classrooms, with small class sizes, and you will meet wonderful people from all around the world. They provide great support from their friendly and helpful staff, and the lecturers know you by name, which is something special – you will not be treated as another number.
The Manukau campus is clean and tidy, and something to be proud of. MIT has a careers team that provides students with advice and assistance. The library team will ensure that you are doing your research in the appropriate manner and that your referencing is done right. This, all-combined, will ultimately provide any student with the ideal study experience.
I chose MIT for a number of reasons:
- Firstly, MIT is all about whānau, and that for me is the most important thing that any person can have in life.
- Secondly, MIT offered the qualification I was after, and provide great career placement.
- Thirdly, MIT was more affordable, and closer to where I live.
- Lastly, I chose MIT because of its strong reputation. I say ‘just do it.’ Time goes past faster than you think, it is definitely worth it.”
Theo Joubert
MIT student
“Prior to studying, I worked in retail for 15 years and earned the minimum wage. I enjoy doing numbers, so chose to study accounting. I was provided guidance and support by the Ask Me! team which is why I chose MIT.
The culture of MIT is like a supportive family. The helpful and supportive culture of the team here will benefit you so you can achieve your goal easily.
We learned Xero and all accounts in our class, and we applied all those skills in practice within the workplace.
When I was looking for a job placement the careers team prepared me for interview questions, they helped me apply for jobs, and they contacted the employers to follow up on my application.”
Manpreet Kaur
MIT graduate
Entry requirements
Applicants must meet the following entry requirements:
- Successfully completed a bachelor's degree in any field excluding the specific graduate diploma field; or
- Successfully completed a Level 6 or 7 diploma and relevant work and/or life experience (equivalent to a bachelor's degree); or
- Evidence of equivalent practical, professional or educational experience e.g. three years' full-time work experience (relevant to business studies);
- Evidence of current knowledge of accounting at an introductory level; and
- Have English language competence to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English. Any applicant whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of an overall IELTS (Academic) band score of 6.0 (with no score below 5.5 in speaking, reading, writing and listening) or equivalent.
Provisional entry
Students who have attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the minimum entry requirements for a programme or training scheme may be eligible to be enrolled. Such decisions must consider any applicable pre-requisites and will be made by the Head of School. Students who have not attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the required minimum entry requirements may also be eligible to be enrolled in exceptional circumstances where they can demonstrate capability for study at the required level. Such decisions must consider any applicable pre-requisites and will be made by the Head of School.
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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 provider’s qualifications can be recognised as prior learning, matched against credits in our courses, and put towards your qualification – not only saving you money but also helping you to complete your qualification faster Learn more.
Programme structure
You will need to complete the below seven courses (120 credits):
Level 6
ACCY6101 Intermediate management accounting (15 credits)
This course develops the knowledge, skills, and competencies to use management accounting tools to plan, control and inform decisions about business operations.
ACCY6102 Intermediate financial accounting (15 credits)
This course develops the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply appropriate reporting framework to prepare and present financial statements.
ACCY6103 Taxation in Aotearoa New Zealand (15 credits)
This course develops the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply taxation rules to a range of situations and entities.
Level 7
ACCY7101 Advanced management accounting (15 credits)
This course develops the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply advanced management accounting techniques and skills to inform decision-making.
ACCY7102 Advanced Financial Accounting (15 credits)
This course develops the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for a critical understanding of financial accounting issues within an Aotearoa New Zealand context.
341.753 Industry Project Part A (15 credits)
You will carry out a project for a host organisation on a topic in a field allied to your graduate diploma by identifying a project, host organisation and presenting a proposal.
341.754 Industry Project Part B (30 credits)
Develop capabilities related to your chosen area of specialisation, in a “hands-on” immersion in industry practice. Enable you to apply your learning, test the relevance of academic theories to the workplace and reflect critically on this relationship between your academic study and industry practice. You will carry out a significant work assignment for the host organisation on a topic in a field allied to your major and present a project report in conjunction with an academic supervisor.
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.
Career opportunities
A Graduate Diploma in Accounting will give you a strong grounding for a variety of roles within businesses. Accounting is also integral to almost all management positions within any company.
If you wish to become a Chartered Accountant, and you have a degree in accounting but not all the requisite knowledge, you should pursue the CAANZ/CPA Accounting pathway on the Bachelor of Applied Management instead. For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.
Ready to put your plans in place?
Free study for the first 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 be eligible to study as a domestic student. All free study is subject to 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 11 May 2023. Programme fees are based on a full-time student and may vary depending on your final selection of courses that make up your programme. To provide you with an indication of costs, the approximate fees quoted in this publication are based on the indicative 2023 fee structure. The indicative programme fees for 2023 do not include the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The CSSF is an additional levy to your 2023 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 2023 are based on the 2022 fee structure and subject to funding confirmation for 2023. 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 Pukenga 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.