Study Accountancy
Accounting By Distance Learning
Sarah Barrow University of Southern Queensland
Exciting,
well-paid careers await these who qualify with an accounting degree, as many
Australian graduates around the world have found. Graduates awarded a
commerce degree from Australia's universities have found themselves employed
In some of the world's major accounting firms In Interesting and challenging
jobs. Australia's commerce students have studied their accounting degree in
countries as diverse as Germany, Singapore, Zimbabwe and Japan. Both
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Master of Professional Accounting
degrees are offered both on-campus and by distance learning, by most
universities around the world. Undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce students
have the option of majors in accounting as well as combined accounting and
finance or general commerce majors. The Master of Professional Accounting is
a conversion course for people who do not have an accounting qualification.
Frequently, potential overseas accounting students are confused about
studying by distance education. Most students have only ever studied in
face-to-face situations, and are not sure what is important to consider when
choosing a distance learning program.
Is the university experienced in delivering distance education? Universities with experience in distance education will have discovered how
to provide their subjects successfully, and will have high quality notes and
support for students.
What local support is offered? The major problems faced by distance learning students are caused by
isolation. These can be overcome where local support is offered for
students. Students can resolve administrative problems, submit assignments
and meet with other students at a local support office, and experienced
universities have local support offices in, many overseas countries,
providing high quality academic and administrative services to students.
What do I get for my fees? Check
to ensure that you will receive a comprehensive set of notes from the
university, not just a syllabus outline, and ask to see a typical set of
notes. Some courses provide CD Roms, internet delivery and video
conferencing, with course material incluced in the fees, although other
universitiesrequire students to pay extra for distance learning course
material. Check on what is inluded in the course fees.
Can I contact the lecturers at the university directly? It is important to ensure that you can contact your lecturers when you need
to. Distance learning students are encouraged to voice any problems or
questions they may have about the course, and with email, it is
now fast and cheap, with response being equally easy.
Can I contact other students? The advent of the Internet and e mail has led to great changes in the way
distance education students can keep in touch with their peers. Look out for
newsgroups for students, where they can interact with others, both on-campus
and other distance learning students. Of course, the lecturers also use the
newsgroups to communicate with students. Through local overseas agents,
students often have direct interaction with others on their course through
local tutorials, as well as telephone tutorials, video conferences and
visits by Australian staff.
Is the degree recognised by the relevant professional bodies? Students intending to join a professional body on graduating must make
certain that the degree they will receive is recognised by the professional
body before commencing study. Check that courses are accredited by both the
Australian Society of CPAs and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in
Australia. Graduates will be automatically recognised by these professional
bodies.
How flexible Is the degree? Sometimes
students who commence study by distance learning find that their
circumstances change, and they want to continue study in Australia
on-campus. Many universities now allow students to transfer from on-campus
to distance learning or vice versa, because on-campus students' curriculum,
assignments
and exams are exactly the same as those used by distance learning
students. This gives students the opportunity to experience life in
Australia and make many new friends.
Are course materials up to date? A course such as accounting must be based on laws, standards and practices
which are currently used in business. Universities must ensure that their
material is updated regularly, sometimes each semester, to make sure
students are taught skills and knowledge which will be relevant to their
employment.
Can I fast-track my study? Students who want to fast-track their degree can do so by studying all year
round over three semesters. However, work or family commitments can mean a
student needs to defer their study for a short period. This is usually easy
to do, as most subjects are offered more than twice a year, allowing them to
be picked up later. Distance education provides a flexible way to learn in
your own time. Family and work commitments are combined more readily with
distance education than with class attendance. Whether you seek advancement
or new career opportunities in your life, the time may now be right for you
to consider studying an accounting degree by distance learning. | Contact: Sarah Barrow University of Southern Queensland Tel: 00 612 4631 2100
Web: www.usq.edu.au |