Appendix 5: Threshold learning outcomes

Providers of accounting programs in Australia may evidence the professional skills set out in Section 3: Technical and professional competency areas and learning outcomes by referencing initiatives undertaken to meet the Accounting Learning Standards (pdf) released by the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) in 2016. These standards prescribe threshold learning outcomes across six interrelated areas, that all providers of bachelor and coursework master's degree programs in accounting are expected to meet.

Bachelor graduates in accounting will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Judgement: Exercise judgement under supervision to provide possible solutions to routine accounting problems in straightforward contexts using where appropriate social, ethical, economic, regulatory, sustainability, governance and/or global perspectives
• Knowledge: Integrate theoretical and technical accounting knowledge in a business context
• Critical analysis and problem-solving skills: Critically apply theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to provide possible solutions to routine business issues
• Communication: Justify and communicate accounting advice and ideas in straightforward contexts to influence specialists and non-specialists
• Teamwork: Contribute accounting expertise to a diverse team collaboratively providing possible solutions to a routine business problem in a straightforward context
• Self-management: Reflect on performance feedback to identify and action learning opportunities and self-improvements.

Master graduates in accounting will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Judgement: Exercise judgement under minimal supervision to provide possible solutions to emerging and/or advanced accounting problems in complex contexts using where appropriate social, ethical, economic, regulatory, sustainability, governance and/or global perspectives
• Knowledge: Integrate advanced theoretical and technical accounting knowledge in a business context
• Critical analysis and problem-solving skills: Critically apply advanced theoretical and technical accounting knowledge and skills to provide possible solutions to emerging and/or advanced business issues
• Communication: Justify and communicate accounting advice and ideas in complex contexts to influence specialists and non-specialists
• Teamwork: Contribute accounting expertise in a leadership capacity to a diverse team collaboratively providing possible solutions to an emerging and/or advanced business problem in a complex context
• Self-management: Seek and reflect on performance feedback to identify and action learning opportunities and self-improvements and initiate this process for others.