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

Accounting Technicians are qualified accounting professionals employed throughout all levels of finance. They perform a wide range of roles including: 

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

They are involved in the day-to-day practical work of accountancy, including the preparation of information and accounts and the interpretation of computer information.

Qualified Accounting Technicians work for many types of organisation including: 

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

They may also be self-employed. 

An Accounting Technician is not a qualified accountant. Young men and women who qualify as Accounting Technicians should be seen as persons who provide support services for management in their organisations. If they wish to, and have the ability to do so, they may progress to professional status and in due course become members of one of the senior accounting bodies.

Accounts maintenance is a fundamental element of any business, from a sole trader to large multinational. An Accounting Technician can support all elements of the accounts function, including income and expenditure, balance sheet transactions, statutory returns and payroll requirements. 

The Accounting Technician is concerned with bookkeeping, including processing all accounts payable and receivable which supports the preparation of periodic accounts. This entails recording and monitoring income and expenditure including accrued and deferred income. 

Completion of regular bank reconciliations may be required with statutory returns accounted for and completed. Regular analysis and reporting is undertaken to contribute to the overall accounts production. 

The Accounting Technician may produce Management Accounts and supplies vital financial information as to the running of the Company. They have the ability to do costing and cost controls. 

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

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.

Further Information

• Accounting Technician - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Accounting Technician - from: Accounting Technicians Ireland
• Accounting Technician - from: gradireland

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.

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.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Accounting Technician is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the Accounting Technician apprenticeship

Accounting Technicians are qualified accounting professionals and as such must complete a professional qualification.

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Accounting Technician in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder

The Diploma for Accounting Technicians consists of two elements, which can be completed simultaneously or at different stages:

• Two year programme of study

• Two year work based learning

Entry requirements:

To gain entry to the qualification students who are under 21 must meet certain academic requirements in their Leaving Certificate, though these requirements are less restrictive than most third level courses. For those 21 or over, they can gain entry as a mature student and are not required to provide any academic qualifications.

Locations:

Accounting Technicians Ireland courses are available at over 70 colleges throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. These currently include ETBs and Institutes of Technology, and leading private and community colleges. Programmes are also delivered in the Republic of Ireland through SOLAS in a number of their training centres Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Work Experience:

In addition to passing exams, students must also have two years relevant work experience to complete the qualification. Work experience requirements are based on two years full-time employment (or the equivalent part-time) and can be gained at any time from before, during or after you have completed your exams.

Accreditation:

The Diploma for Accounting Technicians is fully approved as a Level 6/7 on the National Framework of Qualifications in Ireland. This equates to a Level 5 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Apprenticeship: Accounting, Financial services Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Commerce, Economics, Accounts & Finance at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

The relevant professional bodies are:

• Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI)
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants  (CIMI) 
• The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland  (CPA) 
• Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI)

To register with one of these bodies you must meet their minimum educational requirements. If you exceed the minimum entry requirements you may be exempted from certain professional accountancy exams.  

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €60k

Salaries depend on employer, role, location, duties, and experience. Trainees, accounts assistant, and technician may progress in salary as they develop in their skills and contract.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKInley / Brightwater / Azon / Sigmar/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 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).

The five-year annual average growth rate for this occupation was significantly above average, with strong growth observed between 2020 and 2021; employment grew by approximately 2,000 persons between 2021 and 2022. Employment was spread across all sectors of the economy, with the largest share, at just over a fifth, for professional activities. Employment permits, primarily in the ICT sector, spanned a number of roles, including data analysts, account strategists and logistics specialists.

While the number of online job adverts (OVATE) remained almost unchanged in 2022 for this occupational group, there was a 6% increase in adverts for financial and accounting technicians (although the numbers involved are small).

Employers (Skills for Growth & Spotlight on Skills) have signalled difficulties in recruiting data analysts. Furthermore, data analysis skills were required in other difficult-to-fill job roles such as engineers, software developers, and lab analysts. Demand for data analytics skills is evident; however, rather than existing only as standalone roles, these skills are increasingly embedded in other occupations.

• Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI)

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