Frequently Asked Questions
Please find below some frequently asked questions to assist employers learn more about the Accounting Technicians Ireland qualification.
What is Accounting Technicians Ireland?
Accounting Technicians Ireland (formerly IATI) is the leading professional body for Accounting Technicians in Ireland. We educate, support and represent over 10,000 people working in the profession on this island.
Established in 1983, we pride ourselves on providing an internationally recognised business qualification and on promoting the highest educational, technical and ethical standards to our members.
What qualifications does Accounting Technicians Ireland offer?
Accounting Technicians Ireland provides an accounting qualification that is recognised by industry as one of the leading accounting qualifications in Ireland.
This accounting qualification consists of two elements, which can be completed simultaneously or at different phases:
Depending on your circumstances, this accounting qualification can be studied full-time, part-time or on a correspondence basis, allowing students to study at a pace that fits their lives.
How much does Accounting Technicians Ireland training cost?
Students pay separate annual fees to their college and to Accounting Technicians Ireland. These fees will vary depending on the type of college being attended but students can expect to pay between €3,200 and €4,000 during the two years it normally takes to pass exams.
Tax relief is available for certain tuition fees. For more information see www.revenue.ie or contact one of our licensed colleges.
Where is my nearest college?
Accounting Technicians Ireland courses, both full-time and part-time, are available at over 80 colleges throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. These currently include leading private and community colleges, VECs and some Institutes of Technology. A full list is available here.
Correspondence learning is also available to allow students study from home using tutorial materials.
How will putting a member of my staff through the Accounting Technicians Ireland qualification benefit my organisation?
By offering Accounting Technicians Ireland training to your finance staff, you can be confident that they will have more competent accounting skills, combined with better experience. The benefits to your organisation are:
- You have trained employees with vastly improved accounting skills and knowledge
- We offer highly flexible study options that cause minimal disruption to daily work responsibilities
- Full qualification is possible in as little as two years
- You have motivated and committed employees who do their jobs better
- You have professionally regulated staff governed by a recognised Code of Ethics
- We can offer advice to employers on how to support staff during their training
- We provide career path options for staff interested in continuing their studies with significant exemptions available for those progressing to other professional accounting and taxation bodies
What funding is available to support the training of my staff?
Employers can avail of tax relief at the standard rate of tax (20%) for certain tuition fees. The maximum limit on such qualifying fees is €5,000 per qualification. For more information see www.revenue.ie or contact one of our licensed colleges.
Some students who study the qualification on a full-time basis may be entitled to a grant or allowance to assist them with their student fees. Individuals who are unemployed or in receipt of social welfare payments can apply for the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS ) through their local college or the Back To Education Allowance (BTEA) from their local social welfare office. Other students may be entitled to a Maintenance Grant and should contact their local VEC office for further information.
How much should my organisation be paying an Accounting Technicians Ireland trainee or a staff member who has completed their Accounting Technicians Ireland studies?
Go to our Salary Survey page
Will my staff be able to progress to other accountancy qualifications after completing their Accounting Technicians Ireland studies?
Yes, about 30% of our graduates go onto further study with the other professional accounting and taxation bodies. For instance, many of our graduates pursue further accounting studies with bodies such as Chartered Accountants Ireland), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA), or the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). All these bodies offer Accounting Technicians Ireland graduates significant exemptions for taking their exams and further information is available on our Progression Routes page.
What is the difference between a Student Member and a Full Member of Accounting Technicians Ireland?
A Full Member of Accounting Technicians Ireland is someone who has passed all their exams, completed at least two years approved work experience within an accounting or finance environment, and has been conferred at one of our graduation ceremonies. They are entitled to use the professional letters MIATI after their name which is a respected business accreditation valued by many employers.
A Student Member of is someone who has yet to complete this criteria for becoming a member. They may be still actively studying in college or could perhaps have completed their exams and are still gaining the required two years work experience to complete the qualification.
What are the benefits of my staff becoming a Full Member of Accounting Technicians Ireland?
Full Members of Accounting Technicians Ireland can avail of a wide range of services and member benefits. First and foremost, membership entitles them to use the professional designation "MIATI" after their name, a respected business accreditation valued by many employers. They have access to a large selection of discounted CPD courses and also a range of different affinity and discount schemes. Full Members can also connect with active local networks which organise a wide range of social and educational events for members to network and learn new skills. They receive a regular newsletter to keep them up to date with news, events, and industry developments and can also avail of a technical assistance bureau for any technical, regulatory or ethical queries.
How can I recruit Accounting Technicians Ireland members and trainees?
Employers who are looking to hire accounting staff can use the assistance of our placement service, Accounting Technicians Recruitment. As part of Accounting Technicians Ireland, they are one of the leading recruiters in the accounting field in Ireland and cater to professionals at all levels. They have access to an enormous pool of candidates which includes anational database of over 10,000 accounting staff and students. Their consultants do not earn commission on placements so they focus on finding the right candidates for every job.
Who do I contact at the Accounting Technicians Ireland for advice and support?
For further information about training your staff as Accounting Technicians, please contact Naomi McGrath or Tel: (01) 649 8107