Graduate Diploma in Accounting

Understand and process accounting information in a range of business environments.

The Graduate Diploma in Accounting allows you to add a specialisation in accounting with an elective option in project management, strategic management and more to further your career.

You will use your existing graduate skills or extensive experience to start your business study at the equivalent level to the final year of a business degree.

The Graduate Diploma in Accounting is a great option if you are seeking promotion in your existing employment, wish to widen your skills and knowledge base and keep ahead in the knowledge game or if you are considering a career change, including self-employment.

Your studies will see you process and evaluate a full set of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices in New Zealand. On completion, you will demonstrate a technical, analytical and conceptual understanding of the role of accounting in the business environment.

Flexible learning options for Marlborough students

From 2026, Marlborough learners will have the option to learn remotely. This means you can join your Nelson-based classes from home, or, if you prefer, come onto the Marlborough campus and use the dedicated room to connect in with your own device and headphones.

Key details:

• You can join classes remotely from home via Webex.
• A dedicated space will be available on the Marlborough campus for those who prefer to learn on-site.
• All tests and exams will still be held on campus.
• IT support will ensure you have what you need to access classes through Moodle.

This flexible delivery model ensures Marlborough learners stay connected, supported, and fully included in the Nelson learning environment – while choosing the study setup that works best for them.

Aims of the programme

The Graduate Diploma in Accounting give students who already have a degree, or extensive business experience, an opportunity to pursue study in a specific business discipline at an advanced undergraduate level.

Graduates of the Grad Dip Accounting programme will have the personal attributes, specialist knowledge and professional skills necessary to make an immediate and valuable contribution in demanding and evolving business environments.

Career opportunities and study pathways

Graduates will be qualified to work in a range of accounting roles including financial accounting, management accounting and business consulting. They will be able to add a strong financial understanding to a non-accounting occupation.

Potential roles after graduation include:

• Accounts/PAYE Assistant
• Auditor
• Financial Accountant
• Management Accountant
• Systems Accountant
• Taxation Accountant
• Financial Advisor

Further educational opportunities might be completing the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting on a pathway to becoming a Chartered Accountant or progressing to postgraduate study in business or related fields at NMIT.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate Diploma in Accounting graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate and apply core business competences, such as but not limited to - critical thinking, decision making, negotiation, presentation, problem solving, managing self and others.
• Research, assess and critically evaluate business information relevant to their selected business areas and business environment and communicate this information in both written and oral form.
• Evaluate and adopt different approaches to decision making as required by the environment.
• Practise business in a legal, sustainable, ethical and culturally appropriate manner.
• Demonstrate a technical, analytical and conceptual understanding of the role of accounting in the business environment.
• Process and evaluate a full set of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices in New Zealand.