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

Accountants help organisations and individuals manage their money. They examine financial records and statements and check them for accuracy. This allows them to provide their clients with a clear picture of their financial activities.  

Many limited companies are required by law to be externally audited. An external audit is a check carried out by a qualified person, who is not connected with the company. When doing an audit, the accountant has to examine accounting systems as well as check figures. Some accountants specialise in taxation.

Accountants work in various settings:

• Public sector where they may work for bodies such as the Health Boards or local councils     

• Public practice where they work for firms of accountants whose clients can vary from individuals to commercial and government organisations.

In both industry and the public sector, accountants are concerned with the day-to-day finances of their organisation. They provide analyses of costs and report on the financial implications of management decisions. 

Accountants who work for accountancy firms audit the accounts of their clients to ensure that the financial records give a true and fair view of the client's activities. Some accountancy firms also act as management consultants and advise clients on tax planning and ways to improve profits.

Accountants in Private Sector

All limited companies are required by law to be externally audited. An external audit is a check carried out by a qualified person, who is not connected with the company. When auditing, the accountant has to examine accounting systems as well as check figures. Some accountants specialise in taxation.    
   
Private sector accountants work in firms of accountants whose clients can vary from large commercial companies to self-employed people running a small business. An accountant's role is to audit accounts, making sure that records accurately show a company's activities and financial situation. Auditing is performed on the client's premises, so some travelling is necessary.    
   
When the audit is finished, an accountant presents financial statements to directors, shareholders and the Revenue Commissioners. Sometimes alternative accounting systems may be recommended. Accountants may also offer a company financial advice on taxation and investments.    
   
Large accountancy firms act as management consultants, investigating mergers and advising on ways to improve profits. Accountants doing this sort of work are less desk-bound than others because their work involves frequent visits to clients' premises.    
   
Accountants in the private sector sometimes take responsibility for executing wills and administering trusts. They also deal with the financial affairs of companies or people declared bankrupt. 

Accounts in the Public Sector (Government)

Public sector accountants (also known as public finance accountants) manage the financial records of public bodies. Although the work is similar to that of an accountant in public practice, a public sector accountant's main concern is not with raising profits. Instead, they aim to balance the cost of public services against income. Local government accountants also check and pay creditors' invoices, collect debts and charge customers for goods.

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

• Accountant - from: GradIreland
• Accountant - from: GradIreland
• Accountant - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Accountant - 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.

New entrants to Accountancy can either join following Leaving Cert or as a university graduate. The graduate route has become the most common entry route, but the alternative accounting technician route remains popular.

To become an accountant you must register as a student with either the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI), or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Once ACCA qualified you can obtain a practising certificate to be able to have auditor status. The majority of students who register with ICAI are graduates. To qualify you must pass professional examinations. Study is possible through day-release, block-release, full-time study or distance learning, depending on the professional body and your employer.

Training & Development Pathways

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

FET PLC Courses: Business, Commerce, Accounting at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

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

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Commerce, Economics, Maths & Statistics, Accounting & Finance NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional Development

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Accounting, Management, Financial advice NFQ level 9

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)

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €95k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, qualification level part or full, duties, and role.  

Data Source(s):
Brightwater / CPL / Morgan McKinley / Lincoln / Excel/ Clark / Osborne

Last Updated: June, 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 occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

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).

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

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

• Chartered Accountants Ireland

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

• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

  • 5th Floor, Block E, Iveagh Court, Harcourt Rd., Dublin 2
  • (01) 643 0400
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Certified Public Accountants Ireland (CPA)

  • 17 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2
  • (01) 425 1000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI)

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