Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Working Life

As an extremely complex organisation, the EU has demanding requirements in financial, performance and internal auditing.

EU institutions put in place the policies that affect the lives of 500 million people in 28 EU countries.

The European Court of Auditors is the external auditor of the European Union Finances and, as such, one of the EU institutions. It is based in Luxembourg.

EU Auditors travel across the world to check if the collection and spending of EU money is legal and regular and if EU policies provide value for money.

The work of EU auditors, relating to internal and external audits, involves:

• Examining financial management processes

• Conducting inspections

• Improving control systems

• Advising on methodologies

• Closely supporting senior decision-makers

• Training non-specialist personnel

• Supervising and mentoring colleagues

Contract staff may also be employed to carry out auditing tasks.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
• Report to management about asset utilisation and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
• Collect and analyse data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
• Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
• Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
• Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.
• Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
• Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.
• Examine records and interview workers to ensure recording of transactions and compliance with laws and regulations.
• Prepare, examine, or analyse accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

You can develop in your steps towards readiness for a career as an auditor in the EU via several paths.

EU Audit role you must have:

• A good command of at least 2 European languages (one of which must be English, French or German)

• An appropriate degree or professional qualification (or be graduating this year) for entry at Grade AD 5

• Several years’ relevant experience, to join us at a more senior level (Grade AD 7).

In general, to apply for an EU Administrator competition, you must have completed (at least) three years of university.

Beginning Your Career with The European Court of Auditors - Traineeships

The Court of Auditors organises traineeship periods throughout the year in areas of interest to its work. The training periods are granted for a maximum period of five months.

To apply, applicants must fill out an application form which can be accessed via the European Court of Auditors website.

More information on traineeship in the EU and application forms can be found here.

Job vacancies within the European Court of Auditors can be found here.

Visit the European Court of Auditors here.

Contract Staff

Contract Staff (CAST) are hired for specific manual or administrative tasks. Contracts are generally for a limited period – usually starting with 6-12 months.

Requirements may vary for contract staff, especially for those employed as assistant auditors.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: accounts.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: accounting, business administration.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Accounting Technician, International Financial Services, International Financial Services Associate, International Financial Services Specialist.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: accounting, finance, law, accounts.

Search for CAO Courses

Study In Europe Eunicas accounting, finance, law, accounts [equiv NFQ/ EQF levels] search Eunicas courses.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €57k - €100k

Monthly salaries in the EU Institutions range from around €3,000 per month for a newly recruited AST/SC 1 official to around €19,000 per month for a top level AD 16 official with over four years of seniority.

Data Source(s):
EU Salary Scales

Last Updated: August, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Accountants; Tax Experts.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment in this occupation has been growing annually since 2019, resulting in an above average annual employment growth rate. The professional activities sector accounted for the largest share of employment at 46%, with industry and the financial activities sectors combined accounting for a further 26%. There was a 4% increase in the number of online job adverts for this occupation in 2022 and a sharp rise in the number of employment permits issued from 336 in 2021 to almost 1,000 in 2022 (this was in line with a significant increase in total permits issued in this timeframe); most permits issued were for the financial sector in auditing roles.

The Recruitment Agency Survey identified issues with recruiting various accountancy roles (e.g. financial, tax, practice, insurance) in the financial sector. With such a large occupation, demand is likely to be strong for this role due to replacement demand alone. Upskilling/reskilling will be required for many of those currently employed to adapt to changing skills profiles as a result of digitalisation/AI, climate change (e.g. understanding environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices/criteria), and changing regulation (e.g. Brexit).

• EU Careers - European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)

  • Candidate Contact Service, Office C-80 00/40, B1049 Brussels
  • 00800 6789 1011
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• European Movement Ireland

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• European Parliament Information Office in Ireland

  • 43, Molesworth Street, Dublin, 2
  • 01 - 605 7900
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