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

The Accounts Team Leader is responsible for ensuring that the day to day operational team duties are processed in a timely manner and that all accounts receivable invoices are raised and sent out as required and any outstanding accounts are followed up. 

Work as an Accounts Team Leader will involve mentoring, coaching and developing team members including supporting them in workplace learning. 

The Accounts Team Leader develops and maintains relationships with internal and external stakeholders including branch staff and suppliers. Work will involve overseeing maintenance of asset register in collaboration with corporate services to achieve asset management objectives, verifying complex transactions and auditing income reports.

The Team Leader assists in systems testing for upgrades and future mergers and in compiling information for the annual budget. 

The Accounts Team Leader will identify and implement improvement of accounting processes. Employment opportunites can be found within the accounts department of companies and organisations as well as accounting firms and financial institutions.

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.

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.

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.

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Accounting Technician, Supervisory management in centres around Ireland NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses Accounting & Business, Accounting Technicians Ireland courses at NFQ levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

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

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

Professional Development

• 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.  

Professional Development

• 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.  

Accountancy courses are available at universities and through a range of other centers throughout Ireland.

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €50k - €75k

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

Data Source(s):
CPL/. Morgan McKinley/ Sigmar/ Lincoln/ Azon/ Talent.com

Last Updated: April, 2023

* 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
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Chartered Accountants Ireland

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

• Irish Management Institute

  • Clonard, Sandyford Road, Dublin 16
  • 1800 22 33 88
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here