The MPA is designed to provide a pathway for graduates who do not have a degree major in accounting to achieve a professional accounting qualification. Students may complete the MPA over two years on a part-time basis or within one year if they do it full-time.

The MPA has received accreditations from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore (ICPAS), the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). MPA graduates are eligible to become provisional members of ICPAS without the need for further examinations, other than the qualifying tests required of all applicants to the Institute. After fulfilling the practice experience requirement, they will be eligible to practise as Certified Public Accountants (CPA). Similarly, they can apply to be associate members of CPA Australia, ICAA or ICAEW. Upon satisfying the membership requirements of these professional bodies, they can progress to CPA (Australia) or Chartered Accountant status. CPA Australia, ICAA and ICAEW have mutual recognition arrangements with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and other accounting institutes around the world.  Such recognition gives SMU MPA graduates international mobility.  

Leveraging the unique SMU pedagogy, faculty and state-of-the-art City Campus, the MPA's professional recognition equips you with the necessary and relevant skill-sets for today’s competitive business world.