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Accounting Pathway Program

Build a Career in Accounting and Bookkeeping

A practical, self-paced online programme covering accounting, payroll, GST, and Xero, with an ICOES and CPD-endorsed Certificate of Achievement.

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
Enquire now
18 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
66
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Accounting Pathway Program

Build a Career in Accounting and Bookkeeping

A practical, self-paced online programme covering accounting, payroll, GST, and Xero, with an ICOES and CPD-endorsed Certificate of Achievement.

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
18 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
66
Units
Flexible
Start Date
Why Study This

Practical, Job-Relevant Skills You Can Build.

ICOES And CPD-Endorsed Certificate Of Achievement

Xero Advisor Certification And 6 Months Of Free MYOB Access Included

Unlimited Tutor Support From CPA-Qualified Experts, 18 Months Access

Skills & Applications

Skills You'll Build

Practical, job-relevant skills for these roles. As a professional development course, it builds capability in this field rather than guaranteeing a specific role or salary.

35k+
Employed in business & management (NZ)
↑ 9%
Projected job growth (NZ)
BookkeeperManages day-to-day financial records, reconciliations, and accounts for a business or organisation.
Accounts Payable ClerkProcesses supplier invoices, manages payment runs, and maintains accurate payable records.
Accounts Receivable ClerkRaises invoices, follows up outstanding payments, and reconciles customer accounts.
Payroll AssistantSupports payroll processing, ensures accurate employee payments, and maintains payroll records.
Assistant AccountantAssists with financial reporting, month-end tasks, and general ledger maintenance under supervision.
Finance OfficerSupports financial operations including budgeting, reporting, and transaction processing within a team.
Tax AssistantAssists with the preparation and lodgement of tax returns and compliance documentation.
Credit ControllerManages debt collection, assesses credit risk, and liaises with clients to resolve outstanding balances.
Accounting TechnicianPerforms a range of accounting tasks including data entry, reconciliations, and financial reporting support.
Assistant AuditorSupports audit teams with document review, data analysis, and compliance checking tasks.

Indicative market figures from publicly available New Zealand data (Stats NZ · careers.govt.nz). Possible career directions only; no specific job, salary or outcome is guaranteed. Where you go depends on your experience, the employer and your location.

What You’ll Learn

66 Units

Core Units · 66 units
  • Topic 1Accounting and Bookkeeping Fundamentals
  • Topic 2General Journal
  • Topic 3General Ledger and the Trial Balance
  • Topic 4Depreciation
  • Topic 5Adjusting Entries
  • Topic 6Financial Statements
  • Topic 7Understanding GST
  • Topic 8Fundamentals of Income Tax
  • Topic 9Accounting with Xero
  • Topic 10Accounting with MYOB Business Essentials
  • Topic 11Budgeting, Forecasting and Cashflow Management
  • Topic 12Financial Statement Analysis
  • Topic 13Using Microsoft Excel (Certificate level)
  • Topic 14Accounting & Business Prior Knowledge Quiz
  • Topic 15Using Microsoft Excel (Diploma level)
  • Topic 16Accounting and Business
  • Topic 17Determining Profit
  • Topic 18Issues in Income Determination & Asset Valuation
  • Topic 19Tracking Cash & Controlling Assets
  • Topic 20Internal Decision Making
  • Topic 21Analysing Financial Reports
  • Topic 22NZ Financial Reporting Framework
  • Topic 23Cost Classification
  • Topic 24Costing Methods
  • Topic 25Product & Process Costing
  • Topic 26Standard Costs & Variance Analysis
  • Topic 27Activity Based Costing
  • Topic 28Budgeting & CVP Analysis
  • Topic 29Performance Management & Measurement
  • Topic 30Inventory Management & Planning
  • Topic 31Tax Fundamentals – Introduction
  • Topic 32Tax Fundamentals – Income & Deductions
  • Topic 33Tax Fundamentals – Tax Calculation & Return Preparation
  • Topic 34GST
  • Topic 35Company Taxation
  • Topic 36Look Through Companies
  • Topic 37Fringe Benefit Tax
  • Topic 38SPFR Framework For For-Profit Entities Part 1
  • Topic 39SPFR Framework For For-Profit Entities Part 2
  • Topic 40SPFR Framework For For-Profit Entities Part 3
  • Topic 41Verification, Completeness & Justification
  • Topic 42Introduction to Xero Online (Certificate level)
  • Topic 43Xero Chart of Accounts
  • Topic 44Managing Contacts with Xero
  • Topic 45Xero Sales, Invoices, Quotes & Inventory
  • Topic 46Xero Purchases & Bills
  • Topic 47Reconciliation and Managing Accounts in Xero
  • Topic 48Introduction to Xero Reporting
  • Topic 49Introduction to Xero Add-ons
  • Topic 50Introduction to Xero Online (Advanced level)
  • Topic 51Aged Receivables & Payables in Xero
  • Topic 52Managing Fixed Assets with Xero
  • Topic 53Budgeting with Xero
  • Topic 54Tracking Categories in Xero
  • Topic 55Report Preparation and Analysis in Xero
  • Topic 56Customising Templates in Xero
  • Topic 57Introduction to Projects & Expenses
  • Topic 58Introduction to the Accounting Profession
  • Topic 59Ethics and Standards
  • Topic 60Professional Education
  • Topic 61Practice Essentials
  • Topic 62Practice Security
  • Topic 63People and Processes
  • Topic 64Growing your Business
  • Topic 65Digital Business
  • Topic 66Sustaining Your Business
Before You Apply

Entry Requirements

What you’ll typically need to get started.

No formal academic prerequisites

Requirements can vary by intake and pathway, so submit an enquiry to confirm what applies to you.

What’s Included

Everything That Comes With Your Enrolment

Industry-Accredited Certificate of Achievement

Upon successfully completing the course, students receive a Certificate of Achievement from The Career Academy, accredited by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office. The Career Academy is also a member of the International Approval & Recognition Council.

Unlimited Tutor Support

Unlimited support from industry expert tutors during business hours via phone and email, including tutors with CPA qualifications and university-level teaching experience.

100% Online, Self-Paced Study

Study 100% online at your own pace, fitting learning around work and life. 18 months access to course materials.

Free E-Books Included

Receive six free e-books covering NZ taxation law, GST, payroll, bookkeeping, credit management, and master tax guides.

Xero Advisor Certification

Special partnership with Xero gives students access to the official Xero Advisor Certification.

Six Months Free MYOB Access

Special partnership with MYOB provides six months' free access to MYOB Business software.

Career Support Services

Career benefits and career support services to help students stand out in the job market and progress into accounting, bookkeeping, and finance roles.

Industry Body Network Access

Connect with key industry bodies including AAT, MYOB, Xero, the Qualified Bookkeepers Association, and IPA. Access to exclusive networking events, CPD webinars, and the IPA Knowledge Hub for Certified Accounting Technician members.

Free bonus courses included

Six months free access to MYOB

Special partnership with MYOB provides six months' free access to MYOB Business software.

Free E-Book: Foundations of New Zealand Taxation Law 2023 by S Barkoczy

Clear and concise introduction to the policy, principles and practice underpinning New…

Free E-Book: So Now You Want to Get Paid! by Graham B Pomeroy

Guide covering important aspects of credit management and debt recovery in New Zealand.

Free E-Book: New Zealand Practical Accounting Guide by Marsden Stephen J.

Practical guide covering bookkeeping essentials, accounting and taxation issues including…

CAN
Your Provider

The Career Academy NZ

The Career Academy offers an online Career Centre providing career coaching, CV reviews, interview preparation, job search resources, and LinkedIn profile reviews. Students have access to a Career Success Hub, Business Hub, and Self Service Resource Hub. The centre includes one-to-one coaching from dedicated career support staff and is available to all students during and after their studies.

Fees & Funding

Flexible Ways To Pay

From $29/Week
on an interest-free payment plan
EASY WAYS TO PAY
Pay upfrontWeekly payment plan
Enquire to confirm the exact fees and payment options for your situation. We don’t list a set price here because it varies by your circumstances.
Getting Started

Your Path To Enrolment

A few simple steps from enquiry to your first day.

1
Click 'Enrol Now'
2
Choose payment option (upfront or payment plan)
3
Complete enrolment form
4
Begin studying online immediately
Why Students Choose Us

Recognised Training, Real Support

Career Support

Dedicated career services to help graduates move into work.

Wellbeing Support

Ongoing support throughout your studies, including post-placement support.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

There are no formal entry requirements listed for this programme. It is designed for people looking to enter or move further into accounting and finance support roles. Submit an enquiry to confirm any current prerequisites.
A weekly payment plan may be available for this programme. Submit an enquiry to get current pricing details and confirm what payment options suit your situation.
Students have 18 months of access to the course materials, with an estimated study load of around 400 hours. Because the course is fully self-paced, completion time will vary depending on how many hours per week you study.
The course is delivered 100% online and is fully self-paced, so you can study around work and other commitments. There are no exams at any point. Assessment is through practical case studies and structured assignments, which reflect real workplace tasks.
No work placement is included in this programme. The practical focus comes through case study assessments and access to live industry software tools including Xero and MYOB. Submit an enquiry if you have questions about hands-on learning options.
This course carries endorsement from ICOES (the International Council for Online Educational Standards) and the CPD Standards Office. Graduates receive a Certificate of Achievement and CPD Points, and The Career Academy NZ is a member of the International Approval and Recognition Council. It is not a government-accredited or NZQF-registered qualification.
The programme builds practical skills for roles such as bookkeeper, accounts payable or receivable clerk, payroll assistant, assistant accountant, and finance officer. Career support services are included to help students stand out in the job market. These are potential pathways, not guaranteed employment outcomes.
As a professional development course, credit toward formal qualifications is arranged through the provider's RPL and credit process. One direct pathway is the Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) Programme in partnership with AAT. Submit an enquiry to confirm what this course counts toward and how the pathway works.
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About This Course

Accounting Pathway Program

This Accounting Pathway Program covers the core skills employers look for in accounting and finance support roles. Students work through bookkeeping, NZ taxation, GST, payroll, credit management, and financial reporting. Assessment is through practical case studies and structured assignments, no exams, ever.

Delivered by The Career Academy NZ, the course is studied entirely online at your own pace. Students have 18 months of access to course materials and unlimited tutor support from industry experts during business hours. Tutors hold CPA qualifications and bring university-level teaching experience.

The programme includes six free e-books covering NZ taxation law, GST, payroll, bookkeeping, and credit management. Students also gain access to the Xero Advisor Certification and six months of free MYOB Business software, practical tools that translate directly into the workplace.

Ready When You Are

Take The Next Step Into Business & Management

Enquire about this course and a course advisor from The Career Academy NZ will be in touch with pricing and next steps.

Helping students across New Zealand find the right course since 2013 · 1M+ enquiries

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week

Disclaimer: Course information on this page is sourced from the education provider and was last verified on the date shown below. Details including pricing, availability, entry requirements and course content may change without notice. Get Course is a directory service that connects students with course providers; we do not deliver courses directly. Contact the provider for the most current information before enrolling.

Last updated: July 2026