Swinburne consulted FPA for new courses

Earlier this week, the university launched five new business and accounting qualifications aimed at helping financial advisers meet the incoming adviser education standards.

Asked what prompted the decision to launch the new offerings prior to the completion of FASEA’s consultation process, Swinburne Online accounting and business program director Andrew Vincent told ifa the education provider had consulted some industry stakeholders in the know.

“Development of these majors by Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) commenced two years ago in direct response to concerns for educational standards in the financial planning industry,” Mr Vincent said.

“New units within the major have been developed with a focus on ethics and communication skills. They have also been adapted for Swinburne Online to benefit students wanting a more flexible and more personalised mode of study online.

“During this process Swinburne worked closely with industry experts and FPA to ensure new changes proposed by FASEA are embedded in our curriculum.”

In its original release, Swinburne Online said the five courses were accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, however the university subsequently issued a correction to clarify only the bachelor of accounting, bachelor of business with a major in accounting and finance, and bachelor of business (accounting and financial planning) have this accreditation.

The correction also specified that both “the bachelor of business (finance) and bachelor of business (financial planning major) will be FPA/FASEA approved”.

The FPA has been approached for comment.