Programme description for Master's Programme in Accounting and Auditing (2024–2026)

A candidate who has successfully completed this programme should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of general competence, knowledge and skills:

General Competence (Programme Goals)

The candidate should be able to:

• analyse key international dimensions related to the core themes in the program
• analyse how new ideas, concepts or products emerge within relevant fields
• apply ethical reasoning in work life and understand how organisations can act responsibly
• think independently and critically
• communicate scholarly issues in written texts and oral presentations
• solve problems

Knowledge

The candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• advanced knowledge of key themes, theories, challenges, processes, tools and methods in business, accounting and auditing
• broad knowledge in methodology, administration subjects, socioeconomic sciences and relevant legal topics
• familiarity with the subject 's character and history, as well as the subject and the auditor's role in society
• knowledge of research and development, as well as relevant methods and ways of working within their fields

Skills

The candidate should be able to:

• apply analytical methods, knowledge, relevant results from research and development on practical and theoretical issues in financial auditing, accounting and law and justify their choices
• master and appropriate methods, techniques and forms of expression in accounting and auditing
• identify, plan and implement projects and tasks both independently and in teams of auditing and accounting assignments
• find, evaluate, use and refer to information and technical material and present it so that it in a good way highlights a problem
• help to highlight various regulatory significance and consequences through the audit report and other reporting
• update their knowledge within the subject area

The academic basis is a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Auditing or equivalent education that is based on Universities Norway (UHR) Disciplinary Strategic Unit for Economics and Administration’s plan for bachelor programmes in Business Administration (November, 2018).

120 ECTS credits, of which a minimum of 20 credits at level 2 / additional level, must be within business administration subjects. The following subject areas, including subcategories, must be covered:

Business Economics (30 ECTS credits)

• Financial Accounting
• Management Accounting
• Investment Analysis and Finance

Administration (30 ECTS credits)

• Marketing
• Organisation and Management
• Business Strategy

Economics (15 ECTS credits)

• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics

Methodology (20 ECTS credits)

• Mathematics for Economists
• Statistics for Economists
• Social Scientific Methods

A minimum of 7.5 ECTS credits in Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility must be included in the academic basis.

The weighted average grade of C or better is required.

The Master's Program in Accounting and Auditing has the objective of educating reflected candidates for a senior position within accounting or a financial function in a business, while providing general accountant competence in accounting, auditing, tax law and corporate law.

An auditor's main task is to carry out audits in the private or public sector, to verify and confirm the annual accounts. An auditor also acts as an adviser in financial and accounting matters and can provide guidance so that businesses can establish good internal control.

The program provides the highest degree of auditing in Norway, which, together with achieved grade requirements set by the Financial Supervisory Authority, approved practice, and passed a practical test, provides the opportunity to apply for approval as a state-authorized public accountant. The education also satisfies the education requirement to become an authorized accountant.

After completing their studies, many graduates choose a career in an auditing and consulting firm, others may pursue a career in accounting, economics or management functions in business, finance or public administration.

The students in thi programme meet an international oriented study environment where they develop their linguistic and intercultural communication skills.

The programme consists of 12 subjects, each worth 7.5 credits, and a master thesis in the final semester worth 30 credits.

Two courses are taught in parallel in the first half of the semester with a final exam before the next two topics are taught by the same principle. Teaching methods will vary with combination of lectures, group projects and written assignments.

Using ICT and library databases is an important part of several courses. Some courses are taught in English.

International dimensions and global perspectives are emphasized in the programme. The language of instruction is Norwegian. However, many reading lists include English text books and some courses are taught in English.

The School of Business and Law at UiA is internationally accredited by AACSB (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), and the accreditation provides opportunities for collaboration with good institutions worldwide. Students may go on exchange to some selected partner institutions in the third semester and will then take a combination of electives and courses that will replace mandatory courses in the programme. Contact the student adviser at the School of Business and Law for further details.

The graduates from this program are attractive candidates for a number of positions in accounting, economics and management in private business, organizations and the public sector.

Master's degree and state authority is usually a requirement to get managerial responsibility or to become a partner in an audit company.

The master's degree also provides a solid platform for management positions in private business, finance or public administration. Current positions may in the long term be CFO, Accountant, Controller, Internal auditor, in Banking and Department and similar positions.

The program also provides a basis for establishing and running a business as an authorised accountant or auditor (after fulfilment of the requirements set by the Financial Supervisory Authority mentioned earlier)

Successful completion also qualifies for admission to the PhD programme at the School of Business and Law, and to other programmes in Norway and abroad.

Applicants who have completed a relevant master's degree or "siviløkonom" (4- or 5-year) must apply for admission to the two-year program in accounting and auditing, and may apply for admission for approval of their previous education. A new master's degree requires 60 new credits so that a maximum of 60 credits can be obtained from previous education.

Pursuant to § 1-1 in Regulation of 25 June 1999.712 of Auditing and Auditors the FSA are assigned authority to determine grade level for approval as a Registered Public Accountant or State Authorized Public Accountant.

FSA sets consequently grade requirements C in all courses included in the master degree program in Accounting and Auditing "siviløkonom", to satisfy the requirement to apply for approval as a State Authorized Public accountant.