Department of Accounting
The University of Melbourne is ranked 23rd globally for Accounting & Finance in the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject
Accounting in today’s business world is extremely sophisticated. An accountant is a strategic adviser and business partner who must have an in-depth understanding of business issues and processes, as well as the skills necessary for sound decision-making. Accounting studies will equip you to understand the financial structure of an organisation, and produce and analyse financial information.
The Department of Accounting's Centre for Accounting and Industry Partnerships (CAIP) is committed to building partnerships and enhancing collaboration between the University and the business sector by offering an environment that fosters rigorous research across the entire spectrum of accounting for both scholars and practitioners.
A variety of professional accreditations, memberships and subject exemptions are available for accounting students, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
News
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On September 27, 2023, Professor Michael Davern FCPA, Professor of Accounting and Business Information Systems, Department of Accounting, University of Melbourne, presented the 84th CPA Australia–University of Melbourne Annual Research Lecture.
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Five pioneers of accounting have been inducted in the Australian Accounting Hall of Fame for their outstanding achievements in the field.
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A University of Melbourne researcher has raised concerns about what has been the conduct of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in matters where lawyer–client privilege has been challenged.
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The Faculty of Business and Economics congratulates Professor Margaret Abernethy who has been awarded the Lifetime Contribution to Management Accounting Award by the Management Accounting Section of the American Accounting Association (AAA).
Our academics are active collaborators in multi-partner centres which bring together researchers and practitioners from a range of disciplines and industries.
Accounting Research Centre

Centre for Accounting & Industry Partnerships
The Department of Accounting's Centre for Accounting and Industry Partnerships is committed to building partnerships and enhancing collaboration between the University and the business sector by offering an environment that fosters rigorous research across the entire spectrum of accounting for both scholars and practitioners.
Other Areas of Collaborative Research
Studying accounting at the University of Melbourne is a great decision now and for your future.
Accounting is so much more than balance sheets and tax returns. It's understanding the whole business, an ongoing conversation involving analysis and interpretation and, ultimately, decision-making. Accounting is storytelling with data.
Accounting at Melbourne equips you for life and work in the real world, supported by world-class academics and a talented cohort of peers.
You can engage directly with an academic by submitting your question below.
We've taken snippets of our online curriculum for you to see just how engaging it is to study at the University of Melbourne. Take a look below.
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What we teach
Browse our undergraduate and graduate programs, specialisations, and subjects on offer.
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Ask a question
We're here to answer any question - big or small - about life at UniMelb, studying a Bachelor of Commerce, and the complex and often surprising world of accounting.
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Student Experience
Browse snapshots of real accounting students' experiences at UniMelb. You'll find interactive engagement with a diverse community - this is education for the future.
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Learn more
We do more than teach, learn and research accounting - we live and breathe it. Check out our podcast and YouTube channel.
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FAQs
We've probably answered some of your questions already. Here are our most frequently asked questions and their answers.
Click here to take our TAPS podcast listener survey
The Accounting Podcast Series (TAPS), hosted by Associate Professor Albie Brooks, explores the accounting research output of the University of Melbourne and our distinguished visitors. We delve into innovations and developments in our teaching program, and provide commentary on issues of the day in accounting in bite-sized episodes perfect for your commute.
Season 5, 2023 | |||
Episode | Release date | Guest | Topic |
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1 | 14 April 2023 | Dr Stu Black, The University of Melbourne and Alon Ellis, Deloitte | The Impact of AI and Cloud Computing on Business Models |
2 | 23 June 2023 | Mr Tom Ravlic, investigative journalist | Accounting, corporate governance and journalism: insights from the trenches |
3 | 15 September 2023 | Mr Pat McLay, EY Oceania | Some reflections on the audit, accounting and consultancy industry |
Season 4, 2022 | |||
Episode | Release date | Guest | Topic |
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1 | 28 January 2022 | Ms Laura Youngson, Ida Sports and Equal Playing Field | A World of Firsts: The Entrepreneurial Pursuits of Laura Youngson |
2 | 29 April 2022 | Mr Gunther Burghardt, formerly Blackmores Group | A Journey to CFO: How Accounting and Finance Get a Seat at the Strategic Table |
3 | 23 November 2022 | Assistant Professor Carolyn Deller, University of Pennsylvania | Contemporary management accounting: an emerging career and issues |
4 | 16 December 2022 | Ms Nikole Gyles, AASB | A Diverse Career in Accounting with a Focus on Standard Setting |
Season 3, 2021 | |||
Episode | Release date | Guest | Topic |
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1 | 22 January 2021 | Ms Sarah Richards, Marrawuy Journeys and PwC Indigenous Consulting | Raising the Profile and Benefits of Accounting in Indigenous Communities |
2 | 27 April 2021 | Professor Anne Lillis, The University of Melbourne | Career Reflections and Opportunities in Management Accounting Research and Teaching |
3 | 7 September 2021 | Mr Peter Jess, PJA Accountants | The Interplay Between Accounting, Sport, and Player Management |
Season 2, 2020 | |||
Episode | Release date | Guest | Topic |
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1 | 29 April 2020 | Mr Andrew Williams, Swisse Wellness | In the Field with Andrew Williams |
2 | 22 May 2020 | Mr Patrick Ferguson, Harvard Business School | The World of Sport Analytics and Accounting |
3 | 2 October 2020 | Professors Ian Gow and Michael Davern, The University of Melbourne | COVID-Normal and the Future of Accounting |
4 | 16 December 2020 | Mr Noel Boys, Mr Warren McKeown, Ms Joana Liong, and Ms Demi Wang, The University of Melbourne | The Transition to Online Teaching and Learning in First-Year Accounting |
Season 1, 2019 | |||
Episode | Release date | Guest | Topic |
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1 | 10 May 2019 | Professor Gary Biddle, The University of Melbourne | How Accountants Shape Civilisations and the Nature of Accountability |
2 | 13 May 2019 | Professor Michael Davern, The University of Melbourne | Ethical Issues Associated with the Management of Big Data |
3 | 13 May 2019 | Professor Mary Barth, Stanford University | The Evolution of, and Challenges for, Financial Accounting and Standard Setting |
4 | 12 July 2019 | Professor Naomi Soderstrom, The University of Melbourne | Environmental and Sustainability Issues in Accounting |
5 | 20 September 2019 | Mr Sujay Nair, The University of Melbourne | Leadership, Non-Financial Rewards, and Performance |
6 | 20 November 2019 |
Ms Mary Clarke, DXP Consulting Dr Sarah Yang Spencer, The University of Melbourne | Accounting Education into the Future |
How to listen
TAPS is available on all major podcasting services - make sure you subscribe and rate us!:
Is your podcast provider not listed? Let us know where you'd like TAPS to become available by emailing TAPS-podcast@unimelb.edu.au. You can also listen directly from our website; please select an episode above.
Never miss an episode
Sign up to our mailing list and you'll receive an email when new episodes are published.
Australian Accounting Hall of Fame
Accounting in Australia has a long and distinguished heritage. From the early years of European settlement to the present day, accountants and accounting have played important roles as the country pursued economic and social advancement. Throughout this long and distinguished history there have been many individuals whose achievements, both alone and in combination with others, have been significant and whose impact on the discipline has been profound. The Australian Accounting Hall of Fame seeks to identify and recognise these individuals and their contributions. Click to read more about the Australian Accounting Hall of Fame.
The Centre for Accounting and Industry Partnerships extends its warmest appreciation and thanks to the major sponsors of the Australian Accounting Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards Ceremony, CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, for their support and assistance.
ORDER OF AUSTRALIA AWARDS – members honoured
The Australian Accounting Hall of Fame is delighted to note awards made in the Order of Australia – General Division to members of the Australian Accounting Hall of Fame in the King's Birthday honours list 2023.
Member in the Order of Australia (AM)
Ruth Picker (AAHoF 2020) – for significant service to the accountancy profession, and to the financial sector.
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Nomination and Selection
Nominations for 2024 are now closed. Click here for more information on the nomination process.
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Register
The 2024 Australian Accounting Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony details will be available here from January 2024.
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Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame inductees and previous years' event information.
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