Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Business (Accounting)

This double degree brings together two areas that employers constantly need: information technology and accounting. You study both, and you graduate with two qualifications in four years instead of the six or seven you would spend doing them one after the other. That's the main reason students choose it. The IT side covers programming, databases, networking, cybersecurity and systems analysis. The accounting side covers financial accounting, management accounting, auditing, taxation and business law. Some units overlap, so you're not doing double the workload for double the time.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are built on units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You need a certain total to graduate, and the double degree is arranged so that shared core units count towards both awards. Southern Cross University runs its academic year in study periods or semesters, and you can usually choose how many units you take each period. The course is delivered from the Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour campuses, and some units are available online. Check the official course page for the current unit list and campus options, because they do change.

Work-integrated learning is part of the deal. Accounting students typically complete a professional placement or an industry project, and IT students often do a capstone unit where they build a real system for a client. These are the units employers ask about in interviews, because they show you've applied what you learned rather than just sat exams.

What you'll actually learn

By the end you should be able to write code, design and query a database, explain how a network is put together, and prepare a set of financial statements. You'll also understand how accounting systems are audited and how tax rules apply to different business structures. The combination matters because accounting firms, banks and government agencies all run on software, and they need people who can talk to both the finance team and the IT team. If you're already working in one of these areas, the degree gives you the formal qualification for the other.

Who it suits

This course suits school leavers who are good with numbers and computers and don't want to choose between them. It also suits people already working in accounting or IT who want to add the other discipline without quitting their job for six years. If you're planning to become a Chartered Accountant or a CPA, check the accreditation status with the professional bodies, because that determines which units you must take. Entry is based on your ATAR or equivalent, and international applicants need to meet the English requirement published for the course. Student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. Always confirm the details on the official CRICOS listing and the university's course page before you apply.

• Accountant, public practice firms, corporate finance teams, government departments
• Auditor, audit firms, internal audit in banks and large organisations
• Tax accountant, accounting practices and tax advisory firms
• Business analyst, banks, insurers, consultancies, government
• Systems accountant, organisations running ERP and financial systems
• IT support or network administrator, managed service providers, in-house IT teams
• Software developer, software companies, startups, digital agencies
• Financial analyst, investment firms, corporate advisory, treasury

Accounting and IT skills are both on Australia's skilled occupation lists in various forms, and graduates often work towards CA or CPA membership while employed. Confirm current accreditation and migration advice with the professional bodies and a registered migration agent.