IAS FAQs
General Infomation
- What is the IAS module?
- What software will I use with the IAS module?
- What package to study?
- Where can I study?
IAS Exam Information
- When and where do I sit the IAS exam?
- What is the fee for the IAS exam?
- What is the fee for the IAS repeat exam?
- I am an IAS correspondence student. When and where do I sit the exam?
- What is the closing date to apply for the IAS exam?
- How do I apply for the IAS exam?
- What is the format of the IAS exam?
- Is the IAS exam an open book exam?
- What is the pass mark for the IAS exam?
- When can I re-sit the IAS exam if I fail in the Summer exam sitting?
- When can I re-sit the IAS exam if I fail in the Autumn exam sitting?
- Can I compensate IAS?
- Is there an IAS manual available?
IAS Correspondence Study
- Can I study the IAS module by correspondence?
- How much does the IAS distance learning cost?
- What is included in the IAS correspondence pack?
- Is the IAS exam fee included in the correspondence course fee?
- When and where do I sit the IAS exam?
- How can I purchase the IAS correspondence pack?
General Information
This module consists of three sections:
- Accounting Package (TAS or Sage 50 Accounts)
- Payroll Package (Sage Quickpay or Sage Payroll UK)
- Spreadsheet (MS Excel)
For more details please check the IAS syllabus available on the web site.
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When registering for the IAS module you have a choice between two packages: IAS TAS (ROI version only) and IAS Sage (ROI and NI version).
These packages vary in the Accounting Package in use:
IAS TAS ROI study package covers:
- Accounting software: TAS Books v. 2.03.2500
- Payroll software: Sage Quickpay 2011 v.11.30
- MS Excel (version 2007 and later)
IAS SAGE ROI study package covers:
- Accounting software: Sage 50 Accounts v. 17.0.15.208 (17.0.12.196 + 3 updates)
- Payroll software: Sage Quickpay 2011 v.11.30
- MS Excel (version 2007 and later)
IAS SAGE NI study package covers:
- Accounting software: Sage 50 Accounts v. 17.0.15.208 (17.0.12.196 + 3 updates)
- ayroll software: Sage Payroll UK 2011 v.
- MS Excel (version 2007 and later)
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The last fifteen years of running TAS and Sage courses has showed that TAS software seems to be more popular among ROI companies and Sage software tends to be more used by Northern Ireland employers. Consequently ROI students often opt for TAS package and NI students for Sage package.
If you are a college student, please ask your tutor what package your college is teaching. If you have been using TAS or Sage package before (e.g. at work) and you have a preference, you can find the Accounting Technicians Ireland licensed college who runs the course of your choice and join their course. You can find below a complete list of licensed colleges and the IAS package they teach.
If you are a correspondence student you have an option between the IAS TAS ROI and the IAS Sage ROI and the IAS Sage NI package and you can apply for this course directly to the Accounting Technicians Ireland. Please find more information under the section for IAS Correspondence Students.
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List of colleges teaching the IAS module
IAS TAS ROI | IAS SAGE ROI |
| Accounting Technicians Ireland Correspondence Course | Accounting Technicians Ireland Correspondence Course |
| Athlone Institute of Technology | Beaufort College (Adult Education Center, Navan) |
| Ballina Adult Education Centre | Beech Hill College |
| Ballyfermot College of Further Education | Blanchardstown Institute of Technology |
| Bray Institute of Further Education (FT) | Bray Institute of Further Education (PT) |
| Cavan Institute | Boyne Community School |
| Clane College | Business Management Institute |
| Colaiste Abbain | Clane College |
| Colaiste Ide (FT) | Colaiste Ide (PT) |
| Cork College of Commerce | Carlow Institute of Technology |
| Cork Institute of Technology | Colaiste Chathail Naofa |
| Crumlin College of Further Education –FT | Crumlin College of Further Education - PT |
| Davitt College (Mayo Adult Education Centre) | Dundalk - Life Long Learning Centre |
| Dublin Business School | Genesis Business College |
| Ennis Business College | FAS Clonmel |
| Ennis Community College | FAS Waterford |
| Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology | FAS Wexford |
| Gorey Community School | Infinity Business College |
| Griffith College Dublin | Mullingar Community College (Westmeath VEC) |
| Institute of Business & Technology | Rathmines College of Further Education (PT) |
| Letterkenny Institute of Technology | St. Tiernan's Community School |
| Limerick College of Further Education – FT/PT | Tallaght Institute of Technology |
| Piper's Hill College (former NAAS VEC) | |
| Plunket College (FT) | |
| Portlaoise College | |
| Senior College Dun Laoghaire PT/FT | |
| St. Peter's College - Dunboyne | |
| Tralee Community College | |
| Waterford College of Further Education | |
IAS SAGE NI |
| Belfast Metropolitan College (Brunswick Street) |
| North West Regional College: Derry Campus |
| Northern Regional College, Campuses in: Ballymena, Coleraine, Magherafelt, Newtownabbey |
| South Eastern Regional College, Campuses in: Bangor, Downpatrick and Lisburn |
| Southwest Regional College, Campuses in: Armagh, Dungannon, Enniskillen and Omagh |
| Southern Regional College, Campuses in: Newry and Portadown |
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IAS Exam Information
There are two exam sessions for the IAS module. The summer exam session is taking place between 16th and 21st April 2012.
To sit the IAS Exam, please submit an Exam application form before 25th November 2011. You must check with your college to confirm the date and the time of the IAS Exam.
The second sitting is available in August. The Autumn IAS exam period is between 13th and 17th August 2012 and the closing date is 20th July 2012.
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The IAS Exam fee is €120/£110. This fee also includes the access to the IAS software from Sage Ireland. Students also have access to Sage Ireland Technical Support for any installation queries.
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The IAS repeat examination fee is €70/£60.
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If you are registered as a IAS Correspondence Student, your IAS exams will take place in Dublin and you will be notified about the date, time and venue.
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The closing date for submitting the Exam application form for the IAS exam 25th November 2011.
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You will be able to apply for the IAS exam when enrolling for the 2011/2012 academic year. Alternatively download, complete and return the exam application form to us by 25th November 2011.
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The IAS exam is a computer-based assessment. The duration of the IAS exam is 3 ½ hours. Printing can be carried out after the 3 ½ hour period, but no changes can be made to the students' exam after that time. All printouts, the exam back-up and the exam paper are required to be given to the exam supervisor before the student exits the exam venue.
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No. Students can bring the following into the IAS exam: pens, pencils, rubber, ruler, correction fluid and calculator.
No other material can be brought into the exam or used during the exam. This includes any notes, manuals, past assessments, etc. Mobile phones are specifically banned from the exam venue.
It is permissible to use the 'help' function within Sage Quickpay (ROI), Sage Payroll UK (NI), Tas Books, Sage 50 Accounts and MS Excel during the exam if required.
MS Excel is only permissible for the purposes of the Exam requirements and should not be accessed or employed for any other reason.
No other software (e.g. training or tutorial software) can be used during the course of the Exam.
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Students must obtain a 70% grade to pass the exam.
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Any student who obtains a grade of less than 70% is allowed to re-sit the IAS exam. Students can apply to re-sit the IAS exam during the Autumn exam period (13th - 17th August) or Summer exam period in the following year.
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If you are unsuccessful in the Autumn exam period, the next sitting will be in April 2013.
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No. You must achieve the pass mark of 70%.
This subject will be included in the classification and determination of the final award. Thus, the final award will be determined by an average of the four second year subjects, as set out in our Rules & Regulations.
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An IAS Manual is available, covering the entire IAS course comprehensively, incorporating Sage Quickpay (ROI), Sage Payroll UK (NI), TAS Books, Sage 50 Accounts and MS Excel.
There are three versions of the IAS manual: IAS TAS ROI, IAS SAGE ROI and IAS SAGE NI. Please ask your IAS lecturer what manual you should purchase.
The Accounting Technicians Ireland manual for IAS TAS and IAS SAGE will be available to purchase on the web site.
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IAS Correspondence Study
Yes. Accounting Technicians Ireland offers students the option of completing the IAS module by correspondence.
Correspondence students study at home with materials provided. Students can contact the IAS tutor in case of any questions during the course. We also offer online tutorials for each element of the IAS module as a part of the blended learning program.
Theis e-learning platform will compliment the home study and will provide guidance for the more challenging areas of the IAS module. Each correspondence student will have unlimited access to the online tutorials for the duration of the courses (from October 2011 until the end of April 2012).
Correspondence students are also invited to attend IAS Revision classes, organsied exclusively for the correspondece group. Time, date and venue will be communicated to each IAS correspondence student directly.
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The correspondence package costs €300/£270.
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The fee includes:
- Two IAS Revision Days: the first of these will be held in late January 2012, the second will be held in March 2012.
- The IAS Manual
- The IAS Software(two CDs: accounting software and payroll software)
- Access to our dedicated IAS tutor
- Access to Sage Ireland Technical Support
- Unlimitied access to the IAS online tutorials for the duration of the course (October 2011 - end of April 2012)
*Please note that Microsoft Excel is not included in the IAS correspondence pack
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The correspondence package does not include the IAS Exam fee of €120/£110. To pay your IAS examination fee, please complete the examination booking form and forward this to us with the payment before 25th November 2011.
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As an IAS Correspondence Student, your IAS exams will take place in Dublin and you will be notified about the date, time and venue.
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The IAS Correspondence Pack will be available here to purchase in September 2011. Please allow up to 7 working days for delivery. Please note that delivery is by recorded post and a signature will be required.
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