Natalie Jennings - Accountancy Honours
'The Honours program was a wonderful way to kick-start my career whilst expanding my knowledge.'
Natalie Jennings completed her Honours degree in 2004, and secured a position as an Acting Project Leader for Financial Arrangements with the Department of Local Government, Planning, Sports and Recreation.
What is Accountancy Honours?Why do Honours in Accountancy?What are the entry requirements?Are there alternative pathways to an Honours Degree?How is Honours structured? Honours Co-ordinator
What is Accountancy Honours?
The Honours degree in Accountancy is awarded to students who complete an additional (fourth or equivalent) year of study in addition to the normal three year Bachelor’s degree.
The Honours program is designed for high achievers. It builds on the undergraduate program by providing detailed coverage of theoretical, analytical and empirical research issues in Accountancy. This process provides students with high level analytical and empirical analysis skills beyond what can be expected from completion of a degree.
Why do Honours in Accountancy?
The School of Accountancy offers one of the most flexible programs offered in Australia and is focused on contemporary issues. The types of problems examined by students reflect real world business issues in accounting, auditing, finance and management. As a result, graduates from the accounting Honours program are keenly sought by employers who place a premium on high level analytical and empirical skills.
Honours expands your career opportunities to include management consulting, regulatory agencies, standard setting bodies, investment banking, government agencies and the more specialised areas of the large accounting firms. Also, an Honours degree provides a springboard for higher degrees (masters or doctoral degrees) which are increasingly demanded by leading academic, government and business organisations.
Another major reason for doing Honours in Accountancy is the diverse, real world focus in our research. Our active research profile covers a broad range of topics in management accounting, financial accounting, capital markets, auditing, taxation, business law, accounting information systems, electronic business and accounting for nonprofit organisations.
What are the Entry Requirements?
Entry to Honours requires a Bachelor of Business from QUT that includes a major in the area of intended Honours level study, or a qualification deemed equivalent.
Students must have achieved a grade-point average (GPA) of 5.5 or better on a 7-point scale in the undergraduate study program or other qualifications and experience which is considered by the Dean of Faculty to qualify for admission. Students would normally apply for admission to Honours at the end of the final year of their undergraduate degree or within 18 months of completing their undergraduate degree.
In addition to the above academic entry requirements, international students must meet the following English language proficiency levels for entry into the Faculty's postgraduate coursework courses. For details see the International Office.
Are there Alternative Pathways to an Honours Degree?
Yes, our program is very flexible.
- The traditional approach is to do a fourth year after you complete your undergraduate degree. The School currently offers scholarships of $5000 to outstanding students who enrol full-time in the Honours year. Contact the Course Co-Ordinator for a Scholarship form.
- The School also offers the unique opportunity to fast track your studies and complete both your Bachelor of Business and Honours degree in three years with significant financial support through the Dean's Honours Program or the School of Accountancy Honours Scholarship Program. Both programs offer successful applicants the opportunity of enrolling in extra units throughout the first two years and over summer, so you can commence and complete your Honours year in the third rather than the fourth year.
- Programs can be specially designed for double degree students and part-time students.
Whichever entry pathway you choose, the Faculty of Business also provides financial support ($600) for Honours students through the Research Student Funding Scheme Research Student Funding Scheme. Industry-based scholarships are also available. For further information see: http://www.bus.qut.edu.au/study/scholarships
During the Honours program there are ample opportunities to be employed as a casual tutor or research assistant in the School of Accountancy.
Domestic Students can download an application form for admission to enter the honours program.
International students should download the international application form for admission.
How is Honours Structured?
The program comprises four coursework units and a four-unit dissertation. The standard full-time program is structured as follows:
1st Semester: Coursework:
Compulsory Core Units
BSN502 Research Methodology
AYN433 Research Topics in Accounting (or other approved reading Unit)
And either
BSN414 Quantitative Research Methods Or
BSN412 Qualitative Research & Analytical Techniques
Plus one unit from Elective Units:
Elective Units
AYN505 Dissecting Financial Statements
AYN507 Governance Issues in Accounting
BSN503 Research Seminar (Research Proposal)
BSN506 Econometric Methods
BSN005 (Industry) Research Project
(Or other relevant approved Unit)
2nd Semester: Dissertation (Thesis)
BSN501 (1-4) Dissertation (4 units)
Where elective units may be undertaken, students should check prerequisite requirements in the unit synopsis section of the QUT Handbook and obtain approval from the Honours Co-ordinator prior to enrolment.