General Information

General information

The Certificate in Applied Tax is an intermediate level course aimed at building your comprehensive tax technical skills to prepare you to attack complex tax issues. Applied Tax has a practical focus bridging the gap between academic studies and your work. The course will cement your position as a knowledgeable tax technical leader in the profession.

This course is designed to deliver learning outcomes at a postgraduate level and is ideal if you are already working in tax with approximately two or more years relevant Australian tax experience.

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Entry requirements

There are no enforced prerequisites for enrolling in this course; however we recommend you are an accountant or lawyer with two or more years of practical Australian tax experience.

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What you will learn

After successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • complete accurate and compliant tax returns for individuals and businesses with complex affairs
  • extract relevant data from business client interviews and complex and extended sources
  • evaluate alternative tax strategies
  • apply legislation and procedures for tax compliance including non-tax impacts (assurance, financial reporting and business planning)
  • display confident, professional, ethical and commercial values and skills
  • prepare complex tax planning issues for the approval of senior staff
  • distinguish between accounting and tax treatment of receipts/income and expenses/deductions
  • prepare non-complex company returns on various transactions.

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Learning resources

Upon course commencement you will receive a set of study materials which are referred to throughout the course and will continue to be a constant reference after the course. In addition to the study materials, electronic copies of suggested solutions, handouts, presentations and assessment resources are available for download from the secure candidate section of the website.

Materials are reviewed at each offering and are updated to reflect the current work tasks that candidates face on a day-to-day basis.

During the course you will also have access to the Course Convenor who provides email support on technical queries.

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Course benefits

You will receive online access to the following publications from our Business Alliance Partners*:

  • Tax Q & A, Thomson Reuters
  • CCH Master Tax Guide Solution Finder, CCH Australia Limited.

* Benefits and Business Alliance Partners are subject to change without notice.

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Workload guidelines

Recommend approximately 126 hours

Face-to-face lecture mode

  • 3 hours x 9 face-to-face lectures
  • 7 hours x 1 face-to-face lecture (or intensive mode: 7 hours x 4 face-to-face lectures)
  • 9 x 45-minute online multiple choice assessment (Checkpoint tests)
  • 10 hours for assignment
  • 3-hours exam and 8 hours preparation
  • Recommend 5 hours x 10 modules preparation and reading including completion of workplace applications

Distance mode

  • 2 hours x 4 web/teleconference tutorials (optional)
  • 9 x 45-minute online multiple choice assessment (Checkpoint tests)
  • 10 hours for assignment
  • 3-hours exam and 8 hours preparation
  • Recommend 7 hours x 10 modules preparation and reading including completion of workplace applications

All candidates will also be expected to devote appropriate time to research assignment, exam preparation and workplace workbook.

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Exemptions and Recognition

The Taxation Institute has established recognition with selected universities and professional associations for its courses. Graduates of Applied Tax will gain:

  • exemption for the CA Program Tax Module offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. All other entry requirements to the CA Program must be satisfied.
  • exemption from the Tax Segment of the CPA Australia Program
  • 6 units of credit for one of the following postgraduate taxation programs offered by UNSW Australia School of Taxation (Atax):

    • Graduate Diploma of Advanced Taxation; or
    • Master of Taxation; or
    • Master of International Taxation
  • credit for the capstone income tax unit Taxation 531 in the Curtin University, School of Business and Law:

    • Graduate Certificate in Taxation
    • Postgraduate Diploma of Commerce (Taxation).

Candidates may also complete this course to contribute to the two-semester Course in Australian taxation law as approved by the Tax Practitioners Board to register as a tax agent (conditions apply). Click here for more information.

Graduates of Applied Tax also meet the education requirements to apply for Associate Membership of the Taxation Institute.

CPD recognition

Candidates will be able to claim 30 CPD hours with the Taxation Institute on completion of the course. Click here for more information regarding Membership and CPD requirements.

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Key dates

Study Period 1, 2012

  • Early enrolment close: 20 December 2011
  • Late enrolment close: 24 January 2012
  • Course commencement: 7 February 2012
  • Assignment date:  24 April 2012
  • Exam date: 19 June 2012 (12.00pm AEDST)

Study Period 2, 2012

  • Early enrolment close: 3 July 2012
  • Late enrolment close: 17 July 2012
  • Course commencement: 7 August 2012
  • Assignment date:  23 October 2012
  • Exam date: 18 December 2012 (12.00pm AEDST)

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Progression and completion

Upon successful completion of Applied Tax, candidates will receive a certificate of completion and are invited to attend their local state graduation ceremony.

Employers are also invited to attend the ceremony with their graduands. Graduation ceremonies are scheduled by your local state office.

After completion of Applied Tax there are also a number of opportunities offered by the Institute to continue your learning and development throughout your career. Candidates may choose to directly progress from Applied Tax to a Diploma of Advanced Tax.

Note: Candidates are required to have a minimum of five years experience to enrol in Advanced Tax and must apply to enrol.

The Taxation Institute also offers a range of CPD seminars and events and a number of resourceful tax publications. If you are not already a Member of the Taxation Institute you will be invited to apply to become a member.

Upon successful completion of Applied Tax and other undergraduate qualifications and/or experience candidates are eligible to apply to become an Associate Member, upon satisfying all conditions.

Candidates can also contact their local state office to find out ways to become more involved with the activities of the Taxation Institute.

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