Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• 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.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

The Work

Accounts/finance clerks work in offices. They calculate the total cost of products or services ordered by customers, taking into account the costs of time, labour, overheads and materials. For each set of costs, they prepare an analysis, statement and report for supervisory staff. They keep an accurate record of invoices (a list of services or goods with their prices and charges).   
  
Clerks keep records of the financial transactions performed each day. Before independent accountants check the company's accounts, clerks prepare a trial balance (the agreement or difference between credit and debit in an account).   
  
Some clerks work out wages based on the number of hours worked (including overtime), rates of pay and deductions such as PRSI, tax payments and pension contributions. They prepare wage packets and pay-slips and keep a record of all wages paid. They use calculators and computers to help them with their work.   
  
Contact with the public is usually limited to discussion of charges, orders and costs.   
  
Some accounts or finance clerks specialise in one or two of these duties, usually if they work in large organisations.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Operate computers programmed with accounting software to record, store, and analyse information.
• Check figures, postings, and documents for correct entry, mathematical accuracy, and proper codes.
• Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Operate 10-key calculators, typewriters, and copy machines to perform calculations and produce documents.
• Receive, record, and bank cash, checks, and vouchers.
• Code documents according to company procedures.
• Perform financial calculations, such as amounts due, interest charges, balances, discounts, equity, and principal.
• Reconcile or note and report discrepancies found in records.
• Perform general office duties, such as filing, answering telephones, and handling routine correspondence.
• Access computerised financial information to answer general questions as well as those related to specific accounts.

Further Information

• Bookkeeper / Financial Administrator - from: N.C.S. [UK]

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.

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship:  Business admin, Accounts technician NFQ level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder. 

FET Centre PLC Courses: Accounting Technician & Bookeeping NFQ level 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

FET Courses are available all around ireland, full and part time at no or low cost Search our FET Coursefinder. 

Apprenticeship Accounting Technician, Financial services, Insurance NFQ Level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

• A knowlege of various software packages: quickbooks, TAS, Sage, among tothers will be part of your skils set. 
• A strong knowldge of Office 365 Excel will be important. 
• GDPR Awareness due to handling sensitive client information.

Higher Education CAO Entry: Accounting Degree NFQ Level 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder 

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €50k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, and experience

Data Source(s):
Lincoln / Morgan McKinley / Indeed/ Excel Recruitment

Last Updated: February, 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).

Financial administration roles accounted for the largest occupation in this group. Employment declined marginally between 2021 and 2022, although the annual average employment growth rate over the five-year period was slightly above the national average. Despite the fall in employment, there was a high volume of recent job hires indicating that job churn is a feature of this occupation. Almost three quarters of those employed in these roles were female, and 62% held third-level qualifications.

Approximately two-fifths of persons employed were in the financial sector, with the remainder spread across most other sectors. The number of online job adverts grew strongly (nearly 12%) in 2022 driven entirely by increases for book-keepers/payroll managers etc. Difficult-to-fill vacancies (noted in the Recruitment Agency Survey and the Skills for Growth data) related to accounts administration (payable/receivable) staff, fund accountants, and credit controllers (some with languages) and payroll administration; skills in particular demand included digital skills and knowledge of accounting systems. For such a large occupation, and with a high level of job churn, demand for these roles is likely to continue in the short to medium term.

• Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI)

  • 47 - 49 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 649 8100
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