The MSPACG programme aims to provide an active learning environment to develop students for leadership positions in the professional accounting and corporate governance area in Hong Kong and the Greater China region.

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs)

Upon successful completion of this Programme, students should be able to:

1. Apply creative and critical thinking, analytical, qualitative and quantitative skills to business problem solving with special reference to accounting and governance functions.
2. Explain, analyze and apply relevant rules and regulations related to accounting and corporate governance issues.
3. Recognize ethical dilemmas and legal issues and respond appropriately by applying relevant ethical and legal concepts and codes of ethics issued by relevant authorities.
4. Apply creative and critical thinking in solving accounting, corporate governance and related business problems using a multi-disciplinary approach.
5. Communicate, work and manage themselves effectively both independently and within a team environment.

For Professional Accounting Stream, applicants must:

• hold a non-accounting degree from a recognised university;
  or
• hold an equivalent qualification acceptable to CityU.

For Corporate Governance Stream, applicants must:

• hold a degree from recognised universities or professional membership from recognized institutions; or
• hold an equivalent qualification acceptable to CityU.

Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is not English should also fulfill the following minimum English proficiency requirement:

• TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (internet-based test); or
• Overall band score of 6.5 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or
• Score 450 in the new College English Test (CET6) of Chinese mainland or a pass in the old CET-6 test; or
• Other equivalent qualifications

Core Courses --- Corporate Governance; Economics for Business; Financial Management; Law Relating to Business and Companies; and Advanced Taxation.

Required Courses

Participants can choose one of the following two streams:

• Professional Accounting Stream — Accounting Information Systems; Auditing; Corporate Accounting; Cost and Management Accounting; Financial and Management Accounting; Financial Reporting; and Quantitative Decision Making Techniques.

• Corporate Governance Stream — Business Ethics for Professional Accountants and Company Secretaries; Companies and Securities Regulations and Practice; Corporate Accounting I; Corporate Accounting II; Corporate, Employment and Business Law; Human Resources Management; Strategic Management and Business Policy.

Electives (Optional)

Professional Accounting Stream (two courses from the following):

• Business Ethics for Professional Accountants and Company Secretaries
• Companies and Securities Regulations and Practice
• Corporate, Employment and Business Law
• Foundations of Information and Electronic Business Systems
• Human Resources Management
• Strategic Management Accounting
• Strategic Management and Business Policy

Corporate Governance Stream (two courses from the following):

• Accounting Information Systems
• Auditing
• Cost and Management Accounting
• Foundations of Information and Electronic Business Systems (HKICS required course for full exemption)
• Professional Attachment Scheme
• Quantitative Decision Making Techniques

Note: The course list is subject to change during the academic year.

All core and required courses in the Professional Accounting Stream have been accredited as a Conversion Programme of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA), offering entry to its Qualification Programme. The stream is also recognized by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) for a possible maximum exemption of 9 papers* from its professional examination scheme. CPA Australia has accredited the Master of Science in Professional Accounting and Corporate Governance since 2015.

Corporate Governance stream graduates may enjoy full exemption from the professional examinations of HKICS and ICSA provided that students must take an additional course in IS5313 Foundations of Information and Electronic Business Systems before graduating from the programme and fulfill the requirements of HKICS**.

Applicants should check with the HKICPA to ascertain whether their degrees meet the HKICPA Student Registration Requirements before they apply for admission to the programme.

*  Exemption list is subject to periodic review by ACCA.

**The full exemption is subject to fulfilling the requirements of HKICS.

Applicants who meet the entry requirements but wish to exit early from the programme may apply for the Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate of the programme after completion of the designated courses and number of credit units.

Department of Accountancy