Just days after announcing a rebranding exercise, the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) has confirmed changes to its professional program from a Master of Commerce (Public Accounting) to a fully-fledged Master of Business Administration (MBA).
The accounting group said the move was intended to ensure its members had a competitive advantage.
Confirming the move, IPA chief executive, Andrew Conway said that as the accounting profession continued to evolve, and its members undertook the IPA’s MBA professional program, they would be well-placed to provide the essential advice their clients are seeking as their trusted advisers.
“We are very pleased to have chosen Deakin University to deliver the IPA MBA Program as well as the IPA Internal Pathway Program.
“This innovative pathway provides due recognition of the quality and standing of Members (MIPA) and Fellows (FIPA) of the IPA by providing advanced standing based on verified professional experience,” Conway said. “Such recognition provides IPA members with a streamlined system to achieve one of the most sought-after MBA degrees in the southern hemisphere.”
“As the only Australian professional accounting body offering an MBA as its professional program, we believe our program raises the bar to meet the expectations of clients and businesses,” he said.
“Further, new or associate members who have studied the six units required to complete the IPA Professional Program, will be eligible to commence the Deakin MBA as the second stage of the IPA Program.”
