Master of Professional Accounting – MPA
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.
Programmes
Experience our Master of Professional Accounting
Join Dr Yinka Moses, an academic who teaches part of the Master of Professional Accounting, for a short lecture on how accountants can help solve climate change.
Download the latest prospectus
Find out more about your study options. Fill in a form to download our professional and postgraduate programme prospectus.
Get the prospectusMPA
The Master of Professional Accounting is made up of 12 courses to provide you with a solid foundation in subjects such as Business Law, Taxation, Accounting Systems, and Financial Accounting. The programme meets all the academic requirements for entry into the CA programme through Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) and CPA Australia. It also offers nine course exemptions from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
CA fast-track MPA pathway
If your goal is to become a chartered accountant, you might be interested in our new CA fast-track MPA pathway.
Complete three additional chartered accountant courses
You will complete three chartered accountant courses at the University alongside the 12 foundation courses that make up the MPA. This can be completed in as little as 12 months of full-time study.Exemptions for the CA programme
This study pathway will grant you exemptions from six of the nine courses in the CA programme through CA ANZ. This will significantly reduce the amount of study and the time it takes to become a chartered accountant.1. MPA CA fast-track pathway
Complete 3 CA programme courses at the University alongside your MPA.2. Provisional CA membership
Upon completion of your university studies, you may apply for provisional CA membership through CA ANZ.3. GradDipCA (CA programme)
Your university studies will provide exemptions for 6 of the 9 courses for CA ANZ’s Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting (GradDipCA).Complete 3 further courses through CA ANZ to be awarded this additional qualification.
4. Mentored practical experience
Complete 3 years of mentored practical experience required for full CA membership.This can be done before, during or after GradDipCA study.
5. Full CA membership
Upon successful completion of all previous steps, you are eligible for full CA membership.You can read more about these steps on the CA ANZ website
Building my career pathway as a chartered accountant was the prime reason that I chose the MPA. I’ve been able to forge corporate connections with the help of career expos and my lecturers, who are really approachable and have extensive knowledge in the field of accounting.
Alzena Leeroy Pinto
Master of Professional Accounting graduate
Fees for the CA fast-track MPA pathway
The fees displayed in the box above are for the traditional pathway of the MPA. The estimated fees for the CA fast-track MPA pathway are $30,712.78 for a domestic student in 2025.
This includes $28,667.93 for course costs and $2,012.85 for student services fees.
Community
Postgraduate study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff, and future colleagues from around the world.
You’ll have access to the Faculty postgraduate facilities and opportunities to attend events, workshops, careers sessions, and seminars such as the Student Learning Postgraduate Research skills sessions. You’ll also be able to meet with people from the chartered accountancy bodies on campus.
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides information and a voice for you within the University.
The professors were highly experienced in “real-world accounting” and helped me with technical matters relating to the accounting profession.
Full storyBessie Liu
Master of Professional Accounting
Careers
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.
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Study details