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New Zealand Diploma in Business – Accounting

Start building your accounting career with practical business skills that employers value. This programme prepares you for entry-level accounting roles and gives you a strong pathway into further business or accounting study.

Level
5
Credits
120 (1.0 EFTS)
Campus
Mt Albert
Start dates
February or July
Duration
Full-time for one year. Part-time options available.

Call us now on 0800 10 95 10

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Programme overview

If you enjoy problem-solving, working with numbers, and understanding how businesses operate, this programme is an ideal place to begin.

You’ll learn the core accounting and business concepts that support decision-making in real workplaces, while building confidence to take on junior roles or continue into advanced study.

You’ll benefit from:

  • Fast-track your accounting career with a qualification that supports the CA ANZ Accounting Technician pathway.
  • Build professional credibility by becoming eligible for provisional CA ANZ membership after graduating.
  • Learn through real business scenarios that prepare you for day-one performance in accounting support roles.
  • Use industry tools like Xero and gain practical experience with modern accounting software.
  • Get wrap-around support from experienced tutors and Unitec’s student services throughout your study.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this programme, you’ll be able to:

  • Prepare financial statements and reports
  • Complete balance-day adjustments and accounting systems tasks
  • Apply management accounting techniques to support business decisions
  • Understand New Zealand tax fundamentals
  • Use accounting software and digital tools used in industry
  • Communicate clearly in business settings
  • Apply ethical standards and professional conduct expected in the workplace

Your pathway to becoming a chartered accountant

This programme is the first year of our Bachelor of Accounting (Level 7) programme – it’s the qualification you’ll need to work as a chartered accountant. Once you’ve successfully completed this qualification, you’ll have the admission requirements and preparedness to take on the higher-level study. 

Admission requirements

What you will need to study this programme. 

Domestic students

Academic requirements

To be admitted to this programme all applicants must be at least 16 years of age on the date of the programme’s commencement, and meet one of the following requirements:

  • Achievement of NCEA Level 2 including Or:
    • 8 Literacy credits at Level 2 or above; and
    • 14 Numeracy credits at Level 1 or above
  • An equivalent of the above; Or
  • Successful completion of an approved qualification at Level 3 or above with a relevant pathway.

And meet one of the English entry requirements;

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

For more information, download the programme regulations.

International students

Academic requirements 

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age when they begin their studies, and they should meet the country-specific admission requirement,

And English entry requirements;

​If English is not your first language, you will also need at least one of the following qualifications:

If you do not meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available, depending on your current level of ability.

Don’t meet these Academic requirements?

For more information, download the programme regulations.

 

Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2026; please check back again soon.

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program code:NZDBS - ACCOUNTNG

Compulsory Course ID:013601 - 5101TP - Introduction to Accounting and Taxation
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Course count:18

Compulsory Course ID:013602 - 5102TP - Applied Accounting
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Course count:18

Compulsory Course ID:013603 - 5103TP - Analysis of Financial Information
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Course count:18

Compulsory Course ID:013604 - 5104TP - Budgets for Planning and Control
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Course count:18

Compulsory Course ID:013597 - 5001TP - Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context
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Course count:72

Compulsory Course ID:013598 - 5002TP - Business Environments
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Course count:72

Compulsory Course ID:013599 - 5003TP - Business Functions
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Course count:72

Compulsory Course ID:013600 - 5004TP - Change and Innovation
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Course count:72

Compulsory first Course array:5

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$elective courses array - array(0) { }

Compulsory courses
Level 5
Courses Credits Aim
Introduction to Accounting and Taxation(ACCY5101TP) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to apply accounting concepts, standards, processes, and tax rules to prepare financial statements.
Applied Accounting(ACCY5102TP) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to record and process a range of financial transactions.
Analysis of Financial Information(ACCY5103TP) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to calculate, analyse and interpret financial information to inform decision making for an organisation.
Budgets for Planning and Control(ACCY5104TP) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to prepare and use budgets to monitor performance and determine internal controls to minimise risk for an organisation.
Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context(BSNS5001TP) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to analyse organisations and engage with stakeholders in an Aotearoa New Zealand context.
Business Environments(BSNS5002TP) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to analyse and manage the impact of environmental influences on a business entity.
Business Functions(BSNS5003TP) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop knowledge, skills, and competencies relevant to the core business functions of accounting, operations, human resource management, marketing and sales.
Change and Innovation(BSNS5004TP) 15.0 credits (0.125 EFTS) The aim of this course is to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to contribute to organisational change and innovation.
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