High Five as Accounting Technicians Ireland gets UK Accreditation

High Five as Accounting Technicians Ireland gets UK Accreditation

• Accounting Technicians Ireland Course recognised at Level 5 on the UK Qualifications and Credit Framework

25 March 2011: The professional course of Accounting Technicians Ireland, the all-island professional body for accounting technicians, has been approved as a Level 5 Diploma on the UK's national qualifications system - the Qualifications and Credit Framework. Northern Ireland students will now have their qualification officially recognised across all UK frameworks, making them even more competitive on the jobs market.

The UK Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) is the framework for creating and accrediting qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The framework has a total of 8 levels and Level 5 recognition is generally awarded for Higher and Further Education Diplomas, Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas and Higher National Certificates.

Accounting Technicians Ireland is the only accounting technician qualification to be awarded Level 5 recognition on the QCF. The syllabus is very much geared towards working in a business environment, as students must combine two years of study with two years work experience. The qualification is actually one of the first to have work experience units officially recognised on the framework.

Accounting technicians are qualified accounting professionals who work at all levels of finance. They can work in all types of organisations and are widely employed throughout the public sector, industry and commerce and in private accounting practices. Indeed, results from a recent survey showed that less than 5% of Accounting Technicians Ireland members were currently unemployed.

Accounting Technicians Ireland has seen the number of students taking its qualification increase considerably over the last six years, averaging an annual intake of 2,000 students. The organisation currently has 5,000 students and its syllabus is taught in over 80 colleges nationwide.

Gay Sheehan, Chief Executive, Accounting Technicians Ireland, said: "Level 5 recognition on the QCF is further proof of the standard of this course. It is also testament to the high regard which regulating authorities and employers have for our qualification and for Accounting Technicians Ireland graduates."

"Accounting Technicians Ireland will now be running an information campaign to create awareness of this new development for employers, prospective students and our members."

"Our members are highly trained, cost effective finance professionals who add significant value to businesses across all industries. Along with other well-qualified finance professionals, they will be essential to the process of economic recovery, growth and business development," said Ms. Sheehan.

Students who apply for the Accounting Technicians Ireland qualification come from a diverse range of backgrounds, from established employees to school leavers, to people looking to change career. Students have the choice to study full-time, part-time or through distance learning and can apply direct to licensed colleges to take the course. The qualification also offers a fast track route to a professional accounting qualification as graduates can qualify in two years.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the qualification, or in applying for a course, can contact the Accounting Technicians Ireland, directly through their website, www.AccountingTechniciansIreland.ie