About the Department of Accounting, Data Analytics, Economics and Finance
The Department of Accounting, Business Analytics, Economics and Finance is transforming how business and government work, to create positive social impact and sustainable futures.
We offer education programs in Accounting, Business Analytics, Digital Business, Business Information Systems, Economics and Finance.
Our undergraduate students can complete a major in one or more of these disciplines through the Bachelor of Business and/or Bachelor of Commerce degrees, which are accredited courses by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Our postgraduate students can complete a coursework master's in Accounting, Business Analytics, Business Information Systems, Finance or International Business, or a PhD in any of the Department’s fields of expertise.
Students can also complete a professionally accredited specialist undergraduate or postgraduate course in either Accounting or Business Analytics.
Our courses are designed and delivered by academics who are known for producing high-impact research that transforms business and policy.
The applied focus of our courses, the authentic learning developed in our classes, the industry-informed and delivered curriculum and the opportunities to engage with industry partners through study tours and placements, ensures that our students graduate career ready, with knowledge and skills sought after by employers.
Our Department is part of the La Trobe Business School.
Our courses, research and engagement activities produce highly-employable graduates, and make a positive and impactful contribution to stakeholders, industry partners and the communities in which we live.
Future focused teaching and learning
Our graduates need to be agile and innovative to succeed in today’s business world.
Our curriculum and teaching methods are future focused, applied, innovative and responsible including the scaffolding of sustainability and internationalisation through our courses. Our commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals ensures that sustainable business practice remains a priority. This further aligns with the broader School strategic focus on the Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) and its status as a PRME Champion.
Our courses are designed to help students turn theory into practice, by solving business problems relevant to their chosen field of study.
And while face-to-face interactions between academic staff and students is a traditional and valuable aspect of a high-quality learning environment, technology enabled learning is vital.
Our students learn to use the latest databases, software tools and information services in our business decision lab, judgement decision-making and eye-tracking lab and enquiry-based learning rooms.
Then, they have the opportunity to put that learning into practice on study tours or professional placement, where they get exposure to a range of business environments and learn from practicing professionals.
Find out more about how our facilities enhance the student experience.
Research with social impact
The Department of Accounting, Data Analytics, Economics and Finance is composed of an outstanding team of academics who publish in prestigious and high-impact journals based on Australian Business Deans Counsil and Scopus quality indicators, and develop innovative solutions for business, industry and the community.
Our graduate researchers are also helping to change the business landscape for the better.
Our Higher Degree Research and Master of Business (Research) programs give candidates the opportunity to join a vibrant community of researchers who use robust methods to address all aspects of business thinking and practice.
Our contribution aligns with La Trobe University's research themes: Social change and equity, Healthy people, families and communities, Resilient environments and communities, and Sustainable food and agriculture.
Our research is grouped into four key areas:
Our researchers specialise in corporate governance, international accounting, corporate social responsibility reporting, management accounting and organisational change, and sustainability and carbon accounting.
Our research contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Thirteen, of climate action.
Our researchers use digital technologies to create new, or modify existing, business tools and processes, culture and customer experiences to meet the changing business and market requirements of industries, organisations and society.
Our research contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Three, of good health and wellbeing, Goal Nine, of industry, innovation and infrastructure, and Goal Thirteen, of climate action.
Our academics undertake applied economic research to build understanding of complex business and social issues. They contribute to policy debates and offer solutions for a diverse range of economic problems.
Our research contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Four, of quality education, Goal Eight, of decent work and economic growth, and Goal Ten, of reduced inequalities.
Our finance team is one of four in Australia most-recently recognised in the Australian Research Council’s Excellence in Research for Australia as producing research significantly above world standard. Our researchers specialise in corporate finance decision making, corporate governance including managerial actions and firm consequences, the efficiency of share market trading and the role of participants and regulators, behavioural aspects associated with market and investor responses to events, and the association between finance and sustainability, climate change and environmental actions and outcomes.
Our finance research contributes to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Three, of good health and wellbeing, Goal Nine, of industry, innovation and infrastructure and Goal Thirteen, of climate action.
Research centre
The Centre for Data Analytics and Cognition plays a key role in our research success and impact.
The Centre for Data Analytics and Cognition specialises in the theoretical advancement of business analytics and artificial intelligence as well its practical contributions to organisations, the economy and society. The Centre has a proven track record of advancing new approaches to artificial intelligence, data visualisation and business automation.
Find out more about the Centre.