These conversion courses, as they are known, lead to membership of the professional accounting bodies and a satisfying and rewarding career as an accountant, business analyst or finance professional. Some universities even offer the opportunity to gain a Masters degree and an accounting qualification to those without an undergraduate degree but at least three years of appropriate work experience. These Masters degrees require two years of full-time study. Accounting and finance professionals are finally losing the middle-aged, male 'beancounter' image, and being recognised for the decision support professionals and information managers that they really are.
Accountants work in a wide range of positions in modern organisations.
Having trained in many disciplines, such as marketing, organisational behaviour and management, business law, finance, statistics, economics, strategic planning, problem analysis, and of course various accounting streams, accounting professionals bring a wide-ranging global perspective to business management. Accounting skills learned in Australian universities are in demand all over the world. Many graduates hold high-level positions in Australian, Asian and European countries. All students benefit from the cultural diversity evident in most universities - friendships formed during their studies may lead graduates to receive job offers from exciting international organisations in other countries. In particular, graduates of Masters conversion programmes are highly sought as they combine practical skills with university training.