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.

The Work

Forensic accounting is a specialised area of accountancy. The forensic accountant provides accounting skills in civil and criminal cases but also non-legal related investigations. They use their professional expertise in assignments involving, but not limited to:

• Fraud
• Calculation of loss of economic benefit
• Financial investigations
• Asset tracing
• Valuations, and
• Dispute resolution

Forensic Accountants can be engaged in public practice or employed by insurance companies, banks, police forces, government agencies and other organisations. They are commonly retained to analyse, interpret, summarise and present complex financial and business related issues in a manner which is both understandable and properly supported.

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:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

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.

The shifting dynamic of forensics means that being a specialist accountant may not be enough.

raining & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Business & Office Admin, Accountin Technician in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Business Management, Sales, Marketing, Commerce, and Accounting at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Accounting, Finance Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Commerce, Economics, Maths & Statistics, Accounts & Finance NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Accounts, Management, Financial advice NFQ level 9

Some Independent Financial Advisers are qualified accountants & financial services.

-Transition from NFQ level 6-8 program with level 2.2, entry based on interview

-Mature applicants considered on application 

To qualify as an accountant, you need to register with one of the appropriate professional bodies. You then combine on-the-job training with part-time study and written examinations.  

The relevant bodies are:  

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants  
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants  
• Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland  
• Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland  

If you want to register with one of these bodies you must meet their minimum educational requirements. If you exceed the minimum entry requirements you may be exempt from some written examinations.  

Professional Development 

A professional qualification in Accounting, together with experience and specialist profressional training, is the minimum required for entry to this field of accountancy. The Diploma in Forensic Accounting from Chartered Accountants Ireland is designed to provide participants with the core skills and knowledge required to undertake forensic accounting assignments.

The top Irish accountancy firms have teams of forensic experts ranging from accountants, lawyers, criminologists, and forensic computing experts, to financial investigators, researchers, linguists, compliance and regulatory specialists.

International Financial Services Skillnet Network 

Irish Banking & Payments federation 

Financial Services Union

The 30% club: Growth Through Diversity 

A professional qualification in Accounting, together with experience and specialist profressional training, is the minimum required for entry to this field of accountancy. The Diploma in Forensic Accounting from Chartered Accountants Ireland is designed to provide participants with the core skills and knowledge required to undertake forensic accounting assignments.

The top Irish accountancy firms have teams of forensic experts ranging from accountants, lawyers, criminologists, and forensic computing experts, to financial investigators, researchers, linguists, compliance and regulatory specialists.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €60k - €90k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ CPL/ Morgan McKinley / Brightwater/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

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).

• Chartered Accountants Ireland

  • Chartered Accountants House, 47 - 49 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 637 7200
  • Click Here

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

  • 9 Leeson Park, Dublin 6
  • (01) 447 5678
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI)

  • 47 - 49 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 649 8100
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Chartered Accountants Ireland

  • Chartered Accountants House, 47 - 49 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 637 7200
  • Click Here