How to Become an Accountant in Ireland

Are you considering a career as an accountant? Then you’ve come to the right place! Accounting Technicians Ireland have created this comprehensive guide to provide you with a clear roadmap to how to become a qualified accountant in Ireland. In this article, we outline the various educational pathways, qualifications, steps to qualification, practical experience, job prospects and earning potential to help you on your way to becoming an accountant in Ireland.

Pathways to Becoming an Accountant in Ireland

Ireland offers a range of flexible routes to become an accounting professional, accommodating diverse lifestyles and career aspirations. Many choose a more traditional path, starting with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance, which is available at various Irish universities. While most of these programs are full-time, some provide part-time and online study options, granting flexibility to learners. Completing a bachelor’s in accounting typically spans four years of full-time study at an Irish university. The advantage of having this educational foundation lies in the potential for graduates to qualify for exemptions from certain accounting exams. This pathway is a popular choice for those with the commitment to full-time university education.

It's important to note, however, that the path to becoming an accountant in Ireland isn't confined solely to those with formal financial backgrounds or degrees in the field. This profession welcomes individuals from various educational and professional backgrounds and is open to anyone with the drive and dedication to excel in the field. 

Chartered Accountants Ireland

Chartered Accountants are members of Chartered Accountants Ireland, Ireland’s biggest professional accountancy body. To be eligible to take this route to becoming an accountant in Ireland, students must be a graduate, post-graduate, Accounting Technician, or member of another accountancy body. 

Chartered Accountants secure their qualifications through a combination of professional exams and practical accounting experience. To become a chartered accountant in Ireland, individuals may secure a training contract with a recognised training organisation that lasts up to 3.5 years. During the course of this contract, trainees will complete their Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) exams and gain hands-on work experience. 

It is also possible to become a chartered accountant without a training contract, through the flexible route. Individuals opting for this route will take the same exams as trainees and will be required to complete the same amount and type of work experience, however, will be allocated an overall time limit of 8 years to get everything completed.

Accounting Technicians Ireland

A common route to becoming an accountant in Ireland is through Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI). ATI offers further education courses with nationally and internationally recognised accounting qualifications which open the door to a rewarding career as an Accounting Technician. What sets ATI apart is its flexibility, making accounting accessible to a diverse range of individuals. They provide full- and part-time courses, both in-person and online, often held in collaboration with partner colleges, ensuring convenient options for all aspiring accountants in Ireland.

Accounting Technicians Ireland is a partner organisations with Chartered Accountants Ireland, and as a result, ATI members and students can avail of two unique pathways to advance their accounting careers through Chartered Accountants Ireland. 

The first route, the Apprenticeship Programme, is a work-based programme that allows individuals to earn while they learn. Over 2 years, apprentices work four days a week with an approved ATI employer and attend college 1 day a week. Participants can then transition into the Chartered Accountants Ireland programme and may be eligible for partial exam exemptions.

The second option is the Traditional Route which begins with the completion of the part-time ATI program while working full-time during the day and studying with ATI in the evenings. This path offers two options: achieving a merit grade in ATI's first-year exams and then progressing to Chartered Accountants Ireland's first-year exams (CAP1), provided specific academic prerequisites are met. Alternatively, students can opt for a two-year ATI study to attain the Accounting Technician qualification before continuing their education with Chartered Accountants Ireland where partial exam exemptions may be possible.

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Ireland

When pursuing an accounting career in Ireland, one of the pathways to consider is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) route. This qualification pathway is open to a wide range of individuals, from school leavers embarking on their professional journey to graduates seeking career advancement, offering a versatile entry into the field.

The ACCA qualification has a large focus on the technical dimensions of accounting, paving the way for a host of promising career opportunities. ACCA candidates typically commence their journey by gaining experience as assistant accountants in various financial functions within an organisation which may include responsibilities like credit control, financial planning, general ledger management, and more. This practical exposure equips candidates with invaluable insights and skills, facilitating their professional growth.

To attain the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) qualification, students must successfully complete three stages of exams, plus an Ethics and Professional Skills module and a Professional Experience Requirement. The ACCA qualification is flexible with no limit on how long students can spend on the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills exams. However, once students pass their first Strategic Professional exam, they have seven years to pass their remaining exams. Similar to other routes, graduates with an accountancy background may be eligible for exemptions based on their prior studies. 

On completion of the ACCA qualification, certified accountants with these credentials often find themselves in roles such as corporate accountants, tax accountants, and auditors. 

Cost and Management Accountants (CIMA): 

Cost and management accountants play a critical role in analysing both financial and non-financial data to provide strategic advice to companies, fostering sustainable business success. The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Ireland offers the CIMA qualification, which is designed to bring together management accounting, financial accounting, and business. 

The CIMA qualification is open to individuals with varying levels of experience in finance and business and focuses on three distinct accounting levels: operational, management, and strategic. Each level consists of three exams and a case study exam. Just like with other routes, graduates may receive exemptions based on their previous coursework. 

The CIMA qualification focuses on management reporting, corporate strategy, and organisational aspects of accounting. On completion of the CIMA qualification, accounting professionals often find themselves involved in forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and strategy areas of the field. 

Job Prospects and Earning Potential as an Accountant in Ireland

In recent years, the economy of Ireland has witnessed remarkable growth, positioning the country as a hub for various industries which has come with a wealth of opportunities for accounting professionals. Ireland's strategic location and business-friendly environment have attracted numerous multinational corporations (MNC’s). In addition to these corporate giants, Ireland boasts a thriving Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) sector.

One of the key factors supporting Ireland's economic success is its robust financial services industry. Dublin, in particular, is often referred to as a major European financial centre. The city hosts the European headquarters of global banks like Citibank and JP Morgan, insurance giants such as Zurich, and fintech companies like PayPal. This concentration of financial institutions has created a heightened demand for financial experts, particularly qualified accountants, in Ireland. As a result, accounting professionals in Ireland enjoy excellent career prospects, with their expertise being high demand across various sectors. This demand is further reflected in competitive salaries, with the average annual remuneration package for a qualified chartered accountant in Leinster, which includes Dublin, is reported to exceed €118,000, making it an attractive and lucrative profession in Ireland.

January 2024 Prospectus 

The Next Steps to Becoming an Accountant in Ireland

As this guide has outlined, traditional university degrees, the Chartered Accountant (ACA) route, Accounting Technician route (ATI), the Certified Accountant (ACCA) pathway, and the Cost and Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification are all viable avenues to consider when embarking on your career as an accountant in Ireland. 

The key point to remember here is the significance of making well-informed choices regarding your education and qualifications. Whether you're a school leaver, graduate, or a seasoned professional, by carefully assessing your goals, lifestyle, and career aspirations you can find your most suitable path to become a qualified accountant in Ireland.

Thank you for reading our blog ‘How to Become an Accountant in Ireland’. We hope this has helped you decide on that first step towards your accounting career. To learn more about starting your accounting journey with Accounting Technicians Ireland, the leading professional body for Accounting Technicians in Ireland, download our course info pack here.