Before starting your online application on the Accounting Technician’s Ireland website please check that you meet the minimum academic requirements and other applicable entry criteria as outlined below:

• CAO POINTS - The main entry criteria are 300 CAO (or equivalent) points with a pass (O6) in Leaving Certificate English and either Leaving Certificate Mathematics or Accounting (within the last 5 years). A pass in Accounting is not a requirement. For those who sat the Leaving Certificate in the past five years, the main entry criteria are 300 CAO (or equivalent) points with a D3 in Ordinary Level English and Maths or Accountancy.
• ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY - If an applicant does not have a pass in Leaving Certificate English or equivalent they must have evidence of competency in written and spoken English
• PLC STUDENTS OR OTHER PREVIOUS QUALIFICATION HOLDERS - PLC students or other previous qualification holders are also eligible if the qualification is in a different discipline and is a NFQ Level 5 or above. Alternatively the CAO points and subjects requirements noted above will apply
• MATURE STUDENTS - Mature candidates (23 years of age or older) are eligible to apply if they meet the academic or alternative qualification requirements noted. Evidence of this will be required
• ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN PRE-APPRENTICESHIP GRADUATES – ELIGIBILITY: Applicants who have completed the Accounting Technician Pre-apprenticeship programme in Colaiste Ide or other similar pre-apprenticeship programmes developed under the PLC Pathways to Apprenticeship can access the apprenticeship provided they receive an offer of employment from a registered employer
• APPLICANTS WITH NO PREVIOUS QUALIFICATION – ELIGIBILITY: Where an applicant has no (formal) qualification, eligibility will be determined through a series of questions. Generally, these will be carried out by phone, but it can be done in person where appropriate
• APPLICANTS WITH PREVIOUS QUALIFICATION - ELIGIBILITY GRID: Eligibility is determined based on previous qualifications attained by the applicant in the last 5 years. The Levels listed below refer to the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in the Republic of Ireland.
  

You can see the full range of entry requirements in the application guide here

The duration of this programme is two years from the programme commencement date. You should be able to commit to completing the programme syllabus while working in full-time employment over the two years.

The programme structure necessitates an apprentice attending (off-the-job training) at college one day and working with an employer four days during academic college term time (on the job training) on a weekly basis.

Outside of college term an apprentice will attend work five days a week.

The (off-the-job training) day is set by the college and will be a Monday/Tuesday typically from 9:00am to 6.00pm and an employer will allocate appropriate work hours for the four days (on-the-job training) not exceeding the 37.5 hours per week (on and off the job training) required to be completed by the apprentice for the programme and their employment contract.

 

For the FIRST YEAR  in college the Stage One modules an apprentice will be studying are:

• Financial Accounting
• Taxation
• Business Law
• Business Management

 

For the SECOND YEAR  in college the Stage Two modules an apprentice will be studying are:

• Advanced Financial Accounting
• Advanced Taxation
• Management Accounting
• Financial Data Management

For each module studied the assessment will include the combination of written examinations and the completion of four approved work-based tasks per year.

Throughout the two years an apprentice will be supported by a college mentor and a workplace mentor assigned by their employer to oversee and support them with their on the job training.

Institutes which provide off the job training include:

• Blackrock Further Education Institute
• Bray Institute of Further Education
• Cork College of Commerce
• Coláiste Íde College of Further Education (Finglas, Dublin)
• Monaghan Institute
• Rathmines College of Further Education
• Waterford College of Further Education

See a full list of off the job training providers here

An Accounting Technician is expected to have the following qualities:

• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Professional competence and due care
• Confidentiality
• Professional behaviour
• Confidence
• Attention to detail
• Strong communication
• Ability to multi task
• Ability to cope under pressure
• Strong numeracy skills

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, the Accounting Technician will have: 

• Financial Accounting Fundamentals
• Double-Entry Bookkeeping and Accounting Systems
• Regulatory Requirements
• Financial Statements preparation
• Annual Budgets
• Cost control
• Costings across a range of goods and services
• Business Functions & Context
• Business Ethics
• Legal Requirements
• Company Law
• Data Protection
• Corporate Governance
• Company Tax Administration and Procedures
• Personal Taxation
• Accounting Systems
• Payroll
• Budgeting 

Core Skills

• Process Accounts Receivable and Payable, Sales, Purchases and nominal ledger administration
• Maintenance of bookkeeping records
• Account for Accruals and Prepayments
• Support the budget preparation process
• Support the preparation of accounts
• Analysis of monthly expenses, credit cards, VAT analysis
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of statutory obligations
• Complete bank reconciliations
• Analyse and interrogate data and provide a high-level overview 
• Produce reports
• Credit control
• Responsibility for petty cash

Technical Skills

• Tax - Complete & file VAT Returns. Deal with Revenue queries 
• Payroll - Setup new staff, Issue P45s, Complete Social Welfare Forms, Process monthly payroll, Prepare payroll Journals
• Audit - Support the preparation for the annual audit
• Computer skills - Including MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint Knowledge of accounting software including Sage/Relate Accounts Production

Soft Skills

• Operates with a high level of integrity, diplomacy, tact and professionalism
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and orally
• Report Writing
• Customer Service Skills, helpful and approachable
• Strong organisational skills, with ability to manage multiple tasks and resources
• Time management including prioritising schedules and timelines
• Attention to detail and problem-solving
• Ability to work as part of a team and on their own initiative

Transversal Skills 

• Maths, Accounting, English, Computer skills 

What does an Accounting Technician do?

• Maintains a set of accounts is a fundamental element of any business from a sole trader to large multinationals.
• Supports all elements of accounts function, including income and expenditure, balance sheet transactions, statutory returns and payroll requirements.
• Bookkeeping, and processes all accounts payable and receivable in order to prepare, or support the preparation of, periodic accounts. They record and monitor income and expenditure including accrued and deferred income.
• Completes regular bank reconciliations and accounts for/completes statutory returns. Regular analysis and reports are undertaken to contribute to producing accounts.
• Produces management accounts and supplies vital financial information as to the running of the Company. They have the ability to do costing and cost controls.
• Prepares company annual budgets and monitors the progress of this throughout the year. They prepare, or assist in the preparation of, company year-end financial statements.

The Accounting Technician may prepare Company annual budgets and monitor the progress of this throughout the year. They may prepare or assist in the preparation of Company year-end financial statements.
On successful completion, the Accounting Technician will perform:

• Financial Accounting Fundamentals
• Double-Entry Bookkeeping and Accounting Systems
• Regulatory Requirements
• Financial Statements preparation
• Annual Budgets
• Cost control
• Costings across a range of goods and services
• Business Functions & Context
• Business Ethics
• Legal Requirements
• Company Law
• Data Protection
• Corporate Governance
• Company Tax Administration and Procedures
• Personal Taxation
• Accounting Systems
• Payroll
• Budgeting

The ATI Accounting Technician programme is a new national apprenticeship which puts school-leavers on the path to a rewarding career in accountancy.

As a qualified Accounting Technician, you will be able to work for many types of organisations including:

• Accounting Practice Firms
• Financial Services and Broader Industry
• Accounts function in SME and large organisations
• The Public Sector 
• Sole Traders

Qualified Accounting Technicians may also be self-employed.

The Accounting Technician qualification can also potentially be used as a stepping stone to becoming a professional accountant.

Successful graduates of the Accountancy Technician Apprenticeship will receive generous exemptions on Chartered Accountants Ireland’s study programmes so that they can continue to progress their career within the profession.

Accounting Technicians will be qualified accounting professionals employed throughout all levels of finance across the public sector, industry, private accountancy practices and self-employment. They will perform a wide range of roles including:

• Bookkeeping
• Financial Accounting & Budgeting
• Costing & Credit Control
• Payroll Administration
• Tax Returns

 

Professional Career Pathway - Work in industry, practice or private sector as fully qualified Member of Accounting Technicians Ireland (MIATI) - Progress to further study - Pathway to full qualification in accountancy by exemptions from a range of accountancy bodies - Advance entry to relevant third-level colleges.

This apprenticeship is managed by Accounting Technicians Ireland which is the leading professional body for accounting technicians. If you are interested in an accounting technician apprenticeship you should make contact with Accounting Technicians Ireland via the contact details in the below.

Interested leaving cert students, school leavers, graduates, mature learners and existing employees looking to start a career in accounting should consider this programme.

New applicants interested in applying for the next intake can register interest here.

Applications open twice yearly in January and September.

To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal. You can search for vacancies by location, and employers in each apprenticeship.

Use this link to explore a list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship type.

Your local Education and Training Board may hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

This apprenticeship is managed by Accounting Technicians Ireland which is the leading professional body for accounting technicians. If you are interested in an accounting technician apprenticeship you should make contact with Accounting Technicians Ireland via the contact details in the below.

Full eligibility criteria are available in the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship brochure.

Locations for future intakes will include Dublin, Dundalk, Cork, Limerick, Monaghan, Galway, Wicklow, Waterford and others.

Interested leaving cert students, school leavers, graduates, mature learners and existing employees looking to start a career in accounting should consider this programme.

New applicants interested in applying for the next intake can register interest here.

Applications open twice yearly in January and September.

Further information is also available from the industry lead for this apprenticeship:

Accounting Technicians Ireland
47-49 Pearse Street
Dublin 2
Tel: + 353 (0)1 649 8126
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.accountingtechnicianapprenticeship.ie

Finding an employer and securing your apprenticeship

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

Opportunities for this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations:

• Accounting Technicians Ireland
• Certified Public Accountants Ireland
• Chartered Accountants Ireland

Online Jobsites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.

For the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship:

• Apprentices college tuition is fully funded by SOLAS.
• Apprentices get paid minimum wage of at least €24,765 per annum by the employer.
• Apprentices also get three weeks’ paid study leave a year, in addition to their annual leave.

Note:  A Student Contribution fee is not payable for this apprenticeship.
For any repeat exams appropriate fees need to be paid by the apprentice