Sept 2024 Entry
1 year for Master (Full-time)
1 year for PgD (Full-time)
2 years for Master (Part-time)
1.5 years for PgD (Part-time)
36 for Master,
21 for PgD
Mode of study: Mixed-mode
Students can pursue their studies in either the full-time stream (MAF/PAF) or part-time stream (MAE/PAP). In general, one daytime/evening class per week will be scheduled for each subject over a regular 13-week semester and two daytime/evening classes per week over a 7-week Summer Term. Students should normally be able to complete the MPA programme full-time in 1 year and part-time in 2 years. Students should normally be able to complete the PgDPA programme full-time in 1 year and part-time in 1.5 years.
Notes to Applicants
An incomplete application cannot be processed promptly and will reduce your chance of admission. Please complete all relevant fields on the application form and upload all necessary documents.
Programme Aims
The Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) programme is a conversion Master’s programme that aims to provide business degree graduates with an intensive education in accounting and related knowledge and skills. Students will achieve two sets of goals:
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To become a professional user, preparer and auditor of accounting information upon completion of the Postgraduate Diploma;
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To become an expert user of accounting information for making executive decisions upon completion of the Master’s degree.
Characteristics
The completion of seven Core Subjects leads to the awarding of the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting (PgDPA). On completion of these components, graduates will be able to:
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Evaluate external financial reporting;
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Apply accounting and finance concepts and data analytical tools in decision making;
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Understand the legal, regulatory and ethical issues in accounting.
In addition to the above seven Core Subjects, the completion of two additional Compulsory Subjects and three Elective Subjects leads to the awarding of the Master of Professional Accounting (MPA). On completion of the these components, graduates will be able to:
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Master theoretical frameworks in accounting, finance and corporate governance;
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Develop expertise in accounting and finance.
The seven Core Subjects of the programme (which lead to the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting (PgDPA) award, and constitute part of the Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) award) have been accredited by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA). Graduates who complete these seven Core Subjects, together with the Fundamental Business Courses, will be eligible for exemption from 10 Modules in the HKICPA Qualification Programme (QP). Upon completion of another five subjects (i.e. two additional Compulsory Subjects and three Elective Subjects), students will be awarded the MPA.
The programme is also accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and recognised by the CPA (Australia). PgDPA and MPA graduates are eligible to claim exemption from nine papers from the ACCA examination. By meeting other undergraduate pre-requisites, graduates will be eligible to apply for associate membership of CPA (Australia).
In addition, graduates are eligible to apply for exemption from three papers under the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme of the Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute, and exemption from two papers under the Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) Qualifying Programme of the Taxation Institute of Hong Kong.
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Students must complete 7 Core Subjects (21 credits) for the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting (PgDPA) award.
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Students must complete 7 Core Subjects, 2 Compulsory Subjects and 3 Elective Subjects (36 credits) for the Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) award.
Core Subjects for PgDPA and MPA^ (21 credits)
- Accounting for Corporations*
- Accounting for Strategic Management*
- Auditing Framework*
- Financial Reporting Environment*
- Hong Kong Tax Framework*
- Management Accounting*
- Managerial Finance*
Compulsory Subjects for MPA^ (6 credits)
- Accounting Theory*
- Corporate Governance*
Electives Subjects for MPA^ (any three) (9 credits)
- Business Analytics in Accounting and Finance
- Finance for Multinational Corporations*
- Financial Statement Analysis*
- Mergers and Acquisitions*
- Strategic Tax Management in Hong Kong and China
- Theory and Practice of Accounting in China*
Information on the subjects offered can be obtained at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/af/study/MPA.
^ Not all subjects will be offered each year and availability is subject to staffing resources and student enrolment.
* These subjects of this programme have been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund. The mother programmes of these subjects (Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Accounting / Master of Professional Accounting) are recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF Level [6]).
36 for Master,
21 for PgD
Programme Director
Dr Jody WONG
PhD, MSc, BA, FCPA, FCCA, CTA
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A Bachelor's degree in business# awarded by a recognised tertiary institution;
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A non-business Bachelor’s degree awarded by a recognised tertiary institution plus evidence of completion of fundamental business course(s) deemed acceptable by the School of Accounting and Finance (AF) of PolyU.
Applicants who possess professional designations [i.e., HKICPA, ACCA or CPA (Australia) membership] with substantial professional experience or a Master of Corporate Governance (MCG) from PolyU will be granted a transfer of a maximum of 18 credits, enabling them to complete the MPA award within one year on a part-time basis.
If you are not a native speaker of English, and your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English, you are expected to fulfil the University’s minimum English language requirement for admission purpose. Please refer to the “Admission Requirements” section for details.
We have a quota for admissions. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Suitable candidates may be invited to attend admission interviews.
# Applicants who have completed courses in Financial Accounting, Economics, Business Law, Statistics, Management and Marketing are deemed to be business degree holders.
For further information, please contact:
Tel: (852) 2766 4062
Email: afmpa@polyu.edu.hk
For academic matters, please contact:
Dr Jody WONG
Tel: (852) 2766 4074
Email: jody.wong@polyu.edu.hk
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Classes are normally scheduled on weekday daytime, weekday evenings, and/or Saturday afternoons.
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Applicants who possess professional designations [i.e. HKICPA, ACCA or CPA (Australia) membership] with substantial professional experience or Master of Corporate Governance (MCG) from PolyU will be granted transfer of a maximum of 18 credits, enabling them to complete the MPA award within ONE year on part-time basis.
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Please click here to download.
HK$318,600 per programme (HK$8,850 per credit) for local and non-local Master students
HK$185,850 per programme (HK$8,850 per credit) for local and non-local PgD students
The programme enhanced my technical knowledge and analytical skills and helped me to look at things from different angles. All of these skills are applicable to my job. It also broadened my horizons and enabled me to meet people from different business backgrounds.
Studying real-life cases with classmates from different backgrounds was a good way of provoking thought and generating ideas. The programme was intensive but the learning experience was very satisfying and rewarding.
The programme increased my knowledge of and exposure to accounting practices. It trained me to apply my knowledge in a corporate setting and helped me to build a solid foundation for exercising my professional judgement.
The faculty and staff strive to bring insights to the class and to provide inspiration from their own stories or the stories of others. I may forget one or two formulae from time to time, but the underlying principles will probably stick with me for the rest of my life.
I had a rewarding experience, which not only increased my knowledge of theoretical accounting principles but also gave me the opportunity to learn from the lecturers’ practical experience.
This programme bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and industry practice. Accreditation by HKICPA, ACCA and CPA Australia has facilitated my pursuit of a professional career.
Many of the lecturers are experienced practitioners or reputable scholars in the fields of accounting, finance and taxation. They have provided me with extensive knowledge and specialist skills.
The programme further enhanced and updated my technical knowledge as well as gave me practical skills that have been critical to my career success. It also kept me abreast of the latest developments in the accounting profession.
Graduating from the MPA programme has been a transformative journey for me. As a student who came non-accounting background, my accounting knowledge, technical skills and confidence in pursuing my dreams were greatly increased by my studies in the MPA programme. The exceptional faculty, diverse student community and experienced lecturers provided an environment that fostered my academic and personal growth.
The strong emphasis on practical learning and industry collaboration at PolyU ensured that I was well prepared for the professional world. Today, as I embark on my career, I owe much of my success to the invaluable education and support I received from the programme and PolyU.
I am immensely proud to be a graduate of PolyU and would highly recommend the MPA programme to aspiring students who seek excellence in education. I encourage you all to embrace the remarkable opportunities that await you at this fine institution.
The MPA programme was an excellent choice for me. Some lecturers were experienced former practitioners from the business sector. Their practical skills and guidance helped me to gain in-depth and practical knowledge in the fields of accounting and finance, which was invaluable and prepared me well for my professional life as an accountant.
The programme not only sharpened my technical accounting skills but also enhanced my leadership and communication skills through a variety of coursework and class interactions.
PolyU provided strong career support, and I am grateful to have been selected as one of the mentees in the INSPIRE Mentorship Programme. Connecting with a successful career mentor, who was a partner at a Big Four firm, allowed me to network with practitioners and gain insights and advice about the accounting industry. Furthermore, regular career workshops and one-to-one consultation were available to students in need.
The programme was an important stepping stone in obtaining my first job in the field of taxation after graduation. I highly recommend the MPA programme to anyone who would like to stay abreast of the latest developments in the accounting profession and to bolster their finance knowledge and accounting skills.
Copies of graduation certificate and official academic transcript of studies are required.
If you wish to be exempted, either in full or in part, from the summer fundamental business course(s), please indicate equivalent subjects that you have taken in your prior studies. Required subjects are: basic accounting, business law, economics, management, marketing and statistics. (Not applicable to applicants with HKICPA membership or equivalent.)
Applicants with any non-English certificates should also submit a set of corresponding official English-translated copies for reference.
