Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
Overview
6 months full time / 18 months part time
6 months
February, July
February, July
This course is currently within its transition period. Enrolled students will either complete Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping FNS40217, or be transferred to Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping FNS40222 before the end of the transition period.
Your first step into the world of finance
You can enter the finance industry with essential skills as an accounting support officer and bookkeeper with our Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping FNS40217. You’ll gain practical knowledge of a variety of accounting and bookkeeping skills necessary for the workplace, include completing BAS statements, preparing financial reports and establishing a payroll system. Bookkeeping is a large and stable occupation, with a predicted 50,000 job openings in the next five years. Bookkeepers and accountants are necessary across all industries, so you can choose where you want to go, and never be bored.
Graduate job ready with practical skills
Melbourne Polytechnic’s Certification IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping FNS40217 is a practical course that will give you the foundation for a career in accounting. You’ll learn both traditional manual accounting and computerised accounting, through programs including Xero, BAS, Payroll and Excel. At Melbourne Polytechnic, we’ve worked directly with professional accounting bodies to develop a course that ensures you’re industry ready. You’ll learn from teachers with real-world experience, including BAS agents and certified practicing accountants. This course is accredited by Australia’s professional accounting bodies.
Join a global occupation
Graduates of this course will have learned the skills needed and met the educational requirements set by the Tax Practitioners Board to work as a bookkeeper or BAS agent. You might work in bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable or BAS preparation. Accountants are needed across all industries, all around the world, so you can choose where and how you work, or study further to increase your skills in the finance industry.
Career Pathways
Where will the Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping FNS40217 take me?
Careers in accounting are international and cross-industry. Opening your own accounting practice, working for a multinational, or somewhere in between, this qualification provides the essential fundamental building block to your career in the diverse world of accounting.
Study Pathways
You may articulate into the Diploma of Accounting FNS50217 and even onto the Bachelor of Accounting.
Course Details
Delivery methods
Online (Part time 18 months):
- Classes are conducted online through Zoom and/or TEAMS.
- Weekly booked consultations with trainer.
- Not recommended for beginners.
Blended learning (Full time and Evening):
Full time day students are required to attend class face to face.
- Assessments are managed with Moodle, the online Learning Management System.
- Students are required to attend campus for supervised tests for the Tax Practitioners Board requirements for units FNSTPB401 & FNSTPB402.
How you will study
Each course has a dedicated learning method that is designed to let you thrive in your studies.
On-campus / Virtual classroom / Self-paced online learning
A blend of scheduled on-campus and virtual learning, with additional activities completed outside of the classroom through Melbourne Polytechnic’s digital platforms. Visit the How You'll Study page for more information.
Class Schedule
Full time (6 months):
Four days per week, 9am - 4.30pm.
Monday - Thursday and Tuesday - Friday
Part Time Evening (12 months) :
Semester 1:
3 nights per week, 6 - 9pm. Monday- Wednesday
Semester 2:
2 nights per week, 6 - 9pm.
Tuesday - Wednesday
Online: Self-paced study, consultation times vary.
Consultations with trainer vary between 9am - 8pm, Monday - Thursday. Weekly class delivery is scheduled between 6-8pm. Scheduled weekly sessions are subject to change each term. Students should refer to their timetable for up to date information.
Individual consulting times may vary according to teacher’s availability. A Zoom link will be provided for weekly consultations, in accordance to your timetable. Each student will be provided with a weekly session plan.
There is a 48 hour turn around period, to answer your queries and provide feedback.
Online (Part time 18 months):
Students should attend an information session, to make an informed decision prior to enrolling. Students will be required to complete an online questionnaire form, to determine suitability by the enrolment team.
Mandatory invigilated testing is required for the two BAS modules FNSTPB401 and FNSTPB402, under the Tax Practitioners Board requirements.
Assessment Methods
Assessment consists of engagement via email, phone, Zoom, Moodle activities including collaborative tasks and individual project work, Moodle forums and direct feedback via Moodle.
Units of Study
The hours displayed are nominal, actual classroom hours delivered may differ. Please contact us for the latest student contact hours information.
| Code | Subject | Elective | Hours |
| BSBFIA401 | Prepare financial reports | Core | 50 |
| BSBITU306 | Design and produce business documents | Elective | 80 |
| BSBSMB412 | Introduce cloud computing into business operations | Core | 50 |
| BSBTEC302 | Design and produce spreadsheets | Elective | 35 |
| FNSACC311 | Process financial transactions and extract interim reports | Core | 60 |
| FNSACC312 | Administer subsidiary accounts and ledgers | Core | 40 |
| FNSACC313 | Perform financial calculations | Elective | 30 |
| FNSACC408 | Work effectively in the accounting and bookkeeping industry | Core | 40 |
| FNSACC412 | Prepare operational budgets | Elective | 40 |
| FNSACC414 | Prepare financial statements for non-reporting entities | Elective | 60 |
| FNSACC416 | Set up and operate a computerised accounting system | Core | 80 |
| FNSTPB401 | Complete business activity and instalment activity statements | Core | 50 |
| FNSTPB402 | Establish and maintain payroll systems | Core | 45 |
Attend an Information Session
Fees & Costs
| Free TAFE | Concession | Government subsidised fee | Non-subsidised fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee | $0 | $690 | $3450 | $6300 |
| Maximum annual amenities | $250 | $175 | $250 | $250 |
| Total payable | $250 | $865 | $3700 | $6550 |
| Per year | $7800 |
| Per semester | $7800 |
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment.
Displayed course fees are indicative only. There are many variables that impact the total amount of your full course costs including qualification for government subsidies, concessions or recognition of prior learning. Tuition fees do not include the cost of student amenities or material costs.
This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. Contact us to find out if you’re eligible for a Government subsidy.
Melbourne Polytechnic offers a range of payment options to help you pay your tuition fees, so you can get on with your studies.
Fees displayed are effective for new applications received on or after 1 November 2021. Tuition fees do not include textbooks, course materials or overseas student health insurance and visa fees.
After initial deposit, international students are able to pay tuition fees in installments, four times per year.
For more detailed information please read the International Student Fees.
Materials
Lists of required materials, books and timetables will be provided at course induction or class enrolment by the teaching department.Fees explained
The State Government’s Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative covers the cost of tuition (excluding Amenities Fees and Materials Fees) for students who are eligible for government subsidised training and enrol into one of the Priority listed course.
Free TAFE is available to eligible students for one course enrolment in a lifetime.
Free TAFE places are limited. Please call 1300 635 276 and we can advise you whether Free TAFE places are still available.
Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative covers the cost of tuition fees for students who are eligible. Materials and amenities may still apply.
The Free TAFE for Priority Courses initiative will pay your tuition fees for only one course. Once you have commenced in a tuition-free priority course, you are not eligible for further tuition-free places again, even if you do not finish your first tuition-free priority course.
The fees for those ineligible for a government-funded enrolment.
The cost of tuition for those eligible for government funding.
Concession fees are charged at 20 per cent of the standard fees for enrolments in Certificate I to IV courses. To be eligible students must meet Skills First eligibility criteria and present a valid:
- Commonwealth Health Care card, or
- Pensioner Concession card, or
- Any dependent spouse or dependent child of one of the above cardholders, or
- Veterans Gold card.
The following groups are eligible for concession fees from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
- Asylum Seekers and victims of human trafficking
Additional expenses
The Student Services and Amenities Fee is charged at forty cents (40 cents) per student contact hour and is capped over a twelve (12) month period, effective from the enrolment date, to:
- $250 for full fee-paying students; and
- $175 for concession-paying students studying Certificate I, II, III, or IV.
Amenities fees are used to improve non-academic services including libraries, counselling services, student support, and recreational activities.
Text books are not required to be purchased by the student for this course. Student who wish to purchase text books will receive a discount code. This is an out of pocket expense.
Online students - Students will have access to materials provided by the publishing company via Moodle, at a cost paid on enrolment. Material fees are non-refundable.
You are also expected to have access to a computer. Computers are available in Melbourne Polytechnic’s computer labs and library if you do not have a computer at home.
Accounting and Finance courses at Melbourne Polytechnic
From Certificates to Post-graduate Higher Education.
Requirements
There are no formal prerequisite units for this course. The online option is self-paced and is recommended for students who can study on their own. Weekly consultations with trainers is provided.
you must have access to a computer or laptop with a camera, headset and internet connection.
You must have access to Microsoft Windows. Mac users must have Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows installed to support MYOB software. Instructions will be provided by your trainer, from the publishing company.
If you would like additional information, we encourage you to attend one of our Information Sessions.
Academic: Australian Year 11 equivalent or "O-Levels" with at least 4 credits preferably including Mathematics, English and subjects in the discipline area.English: Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band below 5.0, Pearson PTE Academic 42 overall with no individual communicative skill below 36, or Melbourne Polytechnic recognised equivalency.
Other:Full-time only for international students
Next Steps
The first step to enrolling is completing the application short form from the Apply Now page.
After you complete that form we will send you an email with a link to an application form webpage. If you don’t receive the email, check your spam and junk folders.
Complete the application form on the application form webpage.
You will be required to complete an online literacy and numeracy assessment.
Once you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend an enrolment appointment over the phone or on campus.
For certificate-level courses, you can pay by weekly or fortnightly direct debit using our Tuition Payment Plan. Read more about Tuition Payment Plans here.
If you need assistance with your application and the next steps, you can contact one of our Education and Course Advisors on 1300 635 276 or follow a step-by-step guide to enrolling for vocational education local students.
When we receive your application, the International Office will be in contact with you shortly to discuss your application and provide you additional instructions.
If you'd like to speak to one of our International Office staff directly, call 1300 635 276
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Nationally Recognised Training This course is government accredited and has national recognition.
Local student means; you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder.