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Work Experience

Why is work practice important?

The Work Practice Programme builds on the core Diploma academic modules, equipping you with transferable business skills and a technical knowledge of finance and accounting practice. The programme:

  • Enables you to apply your learning within a workplace environment
  • Safeguards the professional currency of the Diploma and MIATI designation
  • Provides you with capabilities and skillsets recognised by employers
  • Enhances progression routes to further studies with professional accounting bodies

Achieving the Diploma

To achieve the ATI Diploma for Accounting Technicians Ireland and become a Full Member of the Institute (MIATI), you will need to:

  • Successfully complete all 8 academic modules: 4 for Year 1 (Certificate) and 4 for Year 2 (Diploma)
  • Complete 2 years (totalling 3,360 hours) of relevant work experience within an accounting or finance environment which can be obtained before, during, or after study
  • Undertake 2 Work Practice Modules, each consisting of 4 Work-Based Tasks which must be completed within a workplace environment
  • Be employed in a relevant accounts or finance-based role
  • The Work Practice Module and the Advanced Work Practice Module replace the previous Record of Work Experience which will no longer be offered after December 2024.

The Work Practice Programme

You can commence the Work Practice Programme when you are ready and in a role that enables you to do so. The Work Practice Programme takes place under the supervision of a Workplace Mentor, appointed by your employer, and approved by Accounting Technicians Ireland.

The 2 Work Practice Modules each contain 4 tasks which complement the learning outcomes of the Year 1 and Year 2 academic modules.

This enables you to apply practical experience to concepts and theory acquired in class, and in turn provides employers with reassurance that ATI graduates have on-the-job skills suited to the workplace.

More information (including submission dates) can be found in our Work Practice Programme Handbook and Guide:

Programme cost

The Work Practice Modules are available in the online store in TouchPoint and can be purchased when you are ready to start. You have 10 years from your registration date to complete the work-based learning and training aspect of your Diploma qualification.

Work Practice Programme Fees
Fee type  Euro (€) Pound (£)
Work Practice Module 120 100
Advanced Work Practice Module  120 100

The above fees include:

  • Your application to Membership of Accounting Technicians Ireland
  • A mentor handbook and guide
  • Correction of the completed work
  • Training plans which align with the syllabi
  • View our full programme fees. 

Membership

Once you have successfully completed both the 8 academic modules and the 2 years of work experience (including the 2 Work Practice Modules), you will be invited to our annual Conferring Ceremony to become a Full Member of the Institute and receive your qualification parchment.

The Conferring Ceremony is a highlight in the academic calendar and through Membership, you are eligible to use the professional letters, MIATI, after your name.

Students who started studying in the academic year 2021/22 and prior

For students who registered for the September 2021/22 / January 2022 academic year or prior and Affiliate Members who have yet to complete the work practice aspect of the Diploma, you can choose to gain the required work experience by completing either the new Work Practice Programme or previous ‘Record of Work Experience’.

Record of Work Experience Fees
Fee type Euro (€) Pound (£)
Record of Work Experience 200 170

If you wish to complete the Record of Work Experience & Application to Member, please click HERE for full information, and navigate to Completing the Record of Work Experience.

What is the same between the two?

  • For both the existing ‘Record of Work Experience’ and the new Work Practice Programme, you are required to complete the equivalent of 2 years (or 3,360 hours) of work experience in an accounting or finance-related role
  • You will need a Workplace Mentor for both to sign off on your experience
  • You can complete the work experience either while you are studying or after you have completed your studies, once you have gained employment in an accounting or finance-related role
  • You can also put relevant experience gained prior to study, and across multiple roles, towards the 2-year requirement

What is the difference between the two?

  • The ‘Record of Work Experience’ is one large document that you need to complete to support your 2 years of work experience.
  • The Work Practice Programme instead is composed of 2 Work Practice Modules – the Work Practice Module (Level 4) and Advanced Work Practice Module (Level 5) - each of which have 4 tasks corresponding to each of the core academic modules
  • The Work Practice Programme provides you with set training plans aligned to the learning outcomes of your Year 1 and Year 2 modules which you can work through with the support of your Workplace Mentor

How long do I have to complete the Record of Work Experience?

  • The final submission date for the ‘Record of Work Experience’ is October 2025 after which it will no longer be offered
  • You must successfully complete all exams before you are eligible to submit your work experience and apply for Full Membership
  • Once submitted, you will be invited to attend our annual Conferring Ceremony where you will be conferred with Full Membership of the Institute, can use the MIATI professional designation, and will be awarded your Diploma qualification parchment
  • After October 2025, you will be required to complete the Work Practice Programme

Want to know more?

When can I start the Work Practice Programme?

If you are actively working in an accounting or finance related role, you can begin engaging with the Work Practice Programme as soon as you commence your studies. The Work Practice Modules are available to purchase in the online store in your TouchPoint account. Your student registration fee/affiliate fee must be fully paid before signing up.

Does my previous work experience count towards my hours?

If you are currently employed in an accounting or finance related role, the work experience you have gained to-date will count towards the overall two-years (or 3,360 hours) of work experience requirement. You are still required to complete the two Work Practice Modules, however.

What if I am not currently employed or working in a relevant role?

Many of our students are in the process of changing career and may not be currently employed in an accounting or finance-related role. If you are not yet in relevant employment, you can focus on completing your core academic modules and then start to complete the Work Practice Modules when you start a new role.

Can I complete the Work Practice Programme if I am employed part-time?

If you are working in an accounting or finance related role, you can start to complete the Work Practice Modules. The two-year requirement is based on a 35-hour week or a 48-week year in a full-time role, or the equivalent in a part-time role. If your work experience is based on part-time employment, you are required to detail this on your record.

How do I find a workplace mentor?

Your mentor can be an existing line manager, employer or the company qualified accountancy who is able to oversee your work and can assist with the review of activities and sign off on work experience. Your Mentor must be a fully qualified accountant or have a minimum of 5 years’ experience as an Accounting Technician. You must be currently working in a relevant finance / accounts-based role. Please refer to the mentor handbook in Moodle.

What if I change job whilst completing the Work Practice Programme?

If you change employer or have multiple employers across the two years’ work experience, then you must notify ATI by updating your ‘Employer Details’ in your student TouchPoint account.

I am self-employed, how do I secure a workplace mentor?

If you are self-employed, your work-based tasks and training plans will need to be signed off by an independent accountant / auditor who is familiar with your work.

How is the Work Practice Programme different to the Record of Work Experience?

Work experience has always been a requirement of the Diploma qualification, and both require you to complete the equivalent of two-years (or 3,360 hours) of full-time work in an accounts or finance role. Both require a mentor to sign off on your work and can be commenced at the time of study, or later when you have gained employment in a new role.

The difference is the Record of Work Experience is one large document that is completed to support your two years' experience in the workplace. It has been replaced by the Work Practice Programme which comprises of training plans aligned to the learning outcome achieved across your Year 1 and Year 2 studies.

Can I receive my Diploma by completing the core 8 modules only?

The Diploma is only conferred on the completion of both two years of study and two years of work experience which is assessed by the Work Practice Programme (or previous Record of Work Experience).

If you are not able to start your work experience at the time of study, you will receive your academic transcript and become an Affiliate Member. As an Affiliate Member you can still attend our calendar of Member events and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) webinars.

Once you complete your Work Practice Programme, you will then be invited to attend the annual Conferring Ceremony and become a Full Member of the Institute and be awarded your Diploma qualification.

Is the Work Practice Programme required to gain exemptions for further study?

You are not required to complete the work experience element of the Diploma to gain exemptions for further study. You may however use the work training aspect of the professional accountancy programme to complete the Work Practice Programme. This will enable you to benefit from multiple professional designations upon completing your further studies and you can enjoy joint membership.

How long do I have to complete the Work Practice Programme?

You have 10 years from when you first registered with Accounting Technicians Ireland to complete the programme. For example, if you registered as a student in 2022, then you have until 2032 to complete the Work Practice Programme and become a fully qualified Accounting Technicians Ireland.

Most students do not require this time and choose to complete their work experience either at the time of study or soon after once they have secured a relevant accounts or finance-related role in their desired field.

Can you submit the work-based task as you go or altogether at the end?

You can submit the tasks together at the end, or as you complete each one. It is advisable to meet with your workplace mentor and agree an appropriate training schedule to ensure you have the right support structure in place. All tasks and documentation will need to be signed and approved by your employer mentor.

The Training Plan that accompanies the Work Practice Module and Advanced Work Practice Module respectively will support you and your mentor in creating a workflow and timeline that suits you both.

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