New Zealand Diploma in Business (Accounting Strand) (Level 5)

New Zealand Diploma in Business (Accounting Strand) (Level 5)

New Zealand Diploma in Business (Accounting Strand) (Level 5)

Are you organised, numerically inclined, and keen on pursuing a career in accounting? This one-year program offers a solid understanding of New Zealand's business environment and covers essential accounting topics.

SIT now offers HyFlex ('Hybrid-Flexible') learning, providing students with the flexibility to choose between face-to-face and online classes for the New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) - Accounting strand.

Important Notice:

  • Please be aware that for all ACCY coded courses students will be required to be on-campus (i.e. in Invercargill or Queenstown) for at least one or two assessments.
  • Hyflex applications for this programme close one week prior to the start of the programme. On-campus applications may be accepted after this date.
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Key Details
Invercargill / Hyflex
Qualification:
Diploma
Level:
5
Credits:
120
Duration:

One year full-time

Part-time study is available.

Study Modes:
Onsite or Flexible Distance
Dates:

2025 Semester 2: 14 July to 21 November

2025 Business Summer School: 24 November to 30 January

2026 Semester 1: 09 February to 19 June

2026 Semester 2: 06 July to 13 November
Fees:

This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.

  • NO tuition fees
  • Direct material costs are $505 full-time (GST inclusive), per year under the Zero Fees Scheme.

Are you organised, good with numbers and interested in a career in accounting? This one-year programme provides a firm understanding of the business environment in New Zealand and covers a range of fundamental accounting topics.

This stand-alone diploma specialising in accounting can also be used as a pathway to further study, transitioning to the second year of the Bachelor of Accounting. Students may also transfer to the Bachelor of Commerce. The programme is practically oriented and is designed to give you a good understanding of the theories, practices and principles involved in business.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

- Analyse the operational impact of internal and external environments on a business entity to inform decision-making.

- Apply broad knowledge of the principles and current practices of operations, accounting, marketing/sales, human resources, and risk management, to support the performance of a business entity.

- Contribute operationally to innovation and organisational change in a business entity.

- Develop and maintain operational business relationships with stakeholders to support the performance of a business entity.

- Apply knowledge of te Tiriti o Waitangi to analyse how the resulting bi-cultural partnership can be applied to operational business activities and relationships.

- Apply professional and ethical practices with integrity, in accordance with the operational environmental, social and cultural requirements of the context, and apply personal and interpersonal skills to contribute to the achievement of business operational objectives.

Graduates of the Accounting strand will also be able to:
- Record and process a wide range of financial transactions, including the use of appropriate dedicated accounting software.
- Apply tax rules for individuals and small businesses to ensure compliance.
- Apply accounting concepts and standards to prepare financial statements and reports.
- Interpret and communicate financial and non-financial information to a variety of internal and external stakeholders to assist them in making decisions.
- Prepare and communicate budgets to internal stakeholders and monitor the business's performance against them.
- Evaluate financial and business risk of an entity and identify the internal controls that could be applied to minimise or mitigate the risk.
- Act in accordance with the accounting profession's Code of Ethics.
     

Get started on your business career with a Business Diploma in Accounting from SIT.

     

Compulsory Papers*

ACCY5101 Introduction to Accounting and Taxation

ACCY5102 Applied Accounting

ACCY5103 Analysis of Financial Information

ACCY5104 Budgets for Planning and Control 

BSNS5001 Organisations in an Aotearoa New Zealand Context.

BSNS5002 Business Environments

BSNS5003 Business Functions

BSNS5004 Change and Innovation


 

Graduates of this qualification with the Accounting strand will be able to apply in-depth accounting and finance knowledge and skills to inform operational business decisions in a variety of business entities in accounting and business roles. Graduates may also be able to contribute to community groups in volunteer accounting functions.

Whakatapoko | Admission

To be eligible for admission to this programme, all applicants must meet three admission requirements:

  • Requirements for either General or Discretionary admission
  • Any additional Programme specific requirements
  • Language Literacy requirements

General Admission

To be admitted to this programme all applicants must be at least 16 years of age on the date of the programme’s commencement for the semester in which they wish to enrol (or provide a completed Early Release Exemption form), and meet one of the following requirements:

i. Achievement of NCEA Level 2 including:

  • 8 Literacy credits at Level 2 or above; and
  • 14 Numeracy credits at Level 1 or above

Or

ii. An equivalent of the above

Or

iii. Successful completion of an approved qualification at Level 3 or above with a relevant pathway.

Discretionary Admission

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements stated above and who believe that they have the level of preparedness for study at this level may apply for discretionary admission.

In assessing whether to grant discretionary admission the primary focus will be on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate a likelihood to succeed in the programme.

3 Regulations demonstrate how the provisions and procedures for the awarding credit recognition and transfer will be applied to the programme.

4 Regulations demonstrate how the provisions and procedures for the awarding of recognition of prior learning will be applied to the programme.

New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 5) Programme Document Ver:2.2 [20 March 2023] 40

All decisions will be at the discretion of the Relevant Academic Authority.

Programme Specific Requirements

There are no additional Programme Specific requirements.

Language Literacy Admission Requirements

All applicants must provide evidence that they have the necessary language literacy proficiency required for the Programme as demonstrated by the equivalence of:

  • 8 NCEA literacy credits at Level 2 or above.

Applicants who are unable to provide evidence of the above may be required to demonstrate capability using an approved proficiency test or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules.

International applicants must provide evidence that they have the necessary English language proficiency required for the Programme as demonstrated by an IELTS score of 5.5 (academic) with no individual band lower than 5.0 from one test taken in the preceding two years, or an equivalent described in NZQA Rules and on Delivery Site English Language Requirements for International Ākonga Web-page.

     
     
     

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Diploma in Business (with strands in Accounting, Administration and Technology, Leadership and Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing and Sales, and Project Management) (Level 5), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:

  • A minimum of 120 credits in accordance with the programme schedule for the New Zealand Diploma in Business (with strands in Accounting, Administration and Technology, Leadership and Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing and Sales, and Project Management) (Level 5).
  • The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Diploma in Business (with strands in Accounting, Administration and Technology, Leadership and Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing and Sales, and Project Management) (Level 5) full-time over 1 year or part-time over a maximum of 5 years.

Please Note: Students failing to engage in study as per programme requirements may forfeit zero fees entitlement.

Graduates may progress to:

  • New Zealand Diploma in Business (with strands in Accounting, Administration and Technology, Leadership and Management, and Māori Business and Management) (Level 6)
  • Bachelor of Accounting (year 2, level 6)
  • Business qualifications at degree level
  • Relevant industry or professional qualifications at Level 6 or above.

Award of this qualification with the Accounting strand may equip graduates towards achievement of the academic requirements for CAANZ’s Accounting Technicians College.

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