Accounting Technicians Ireland are now accepting applications for the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship Programme 2024/2025.
Accounting Technicians Ireland is the leading professional body for Accounting Technicians on the Island of Ireland. With offices in Dublin and Belfast, and strong links with other professional bodies such as Chartered Accountants Ireland, the organisation supplies high-calibre Accounting Technician graduates to industry, practice and the public sector. Many progress to the highest levels in their field.
Accounting Technicians Ireland launched the first Apprenticeship Council-approved Accountancy Apprenticeship in the Republic of Ireland in September 2016. The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship aims to provide young school-leavers and employees with a fast-track path to a career in accounting, which blends solid work experience with quality academic tuition.
Apprentices graduate as fully qualified Accounting Technicians, with the opportunity to progress to Level 9 studies with Chartered Accountants Ireland after just two years.
Key Facts
The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship is a two-year, work-based programme that enables the participant to earn while they learn.
- It is a new route to a career in professional accountancy for those who prefer practical training to a full-time college course.
- It also provides new options for employees who wish to work in a finance role.
- Apprentices graduate with the Diploma for Accounting Technicians, a nationally and internationally recognised qualification.
- Apprentices get paid at least €22,035 a year and pay no tuition or exam fees.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age on or before 31st October in the year of entry.
- Applicants must have an O5 grade in Leaving Certificate English and Maths or Accounting at Ordinary Level to be considered for the apprenticeship. Leaving Certificate Accountancy is not a requirement.
- Apprentices commence with a two-year work contract, with salary paid by the employer. It is at the employer’s discretion to enhance the entry criteria for selection.
- Apprentices work at their employer’s office four days a week and attend classes at BFEI one day a week.
- Apprentices earn the standard industry salary for an incoming trainee Accounting Technician.
- Progress is monitored by mentors in both the workplace and the college.
- The apprenticeship caters to a growing trend among businesses looking to school-leavers to meet an increase in activity.
- Apprentices who successfully complete the programme may be eligible to progress to Chartered Accountants Ireland.
For further details please see the 2024 Applicant Guide Accounting Technician Prospectus.
Apply on-line and nominate BFEI as your college-based Tuition Centre.
Is this course for you?
Do you like working with numbers? Have you an eye for detail? Are you logical, methodical and a problem solver? Why not earn while you learn with the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship programme? On this programme, you will work with a local business or accounting practice four days a week, and engage in intensive study at BFEI for one day a week. You will be trained ‘on-the-job’, in every aspect of the qualification, and will be closely mentored by a qualified Accounting Technician or Accountant. You will emerge from the programme after two years with a nationally and internationally recognised qualification, solid work experience and the opportunity to become a fully qualified Chartered Accountant within five years.
What will I study?
- Prepare financial statements.
- Prepare financial reports and other management information.
- Compute tax liabilities for companies and individuals.
- Set up and manage systems for budgets, stock control, cost accounting, and cash reconciliations.
- Set up and manage credit control procedures.
- Use industry standard software Surf Accounts and Exel to prepare and manage accounts
Entry Requirements
- Leaving Certificate holders from 2017 or later: A minimum of 310 CAO points and at least an O5 in Ordinary Level English and either Mathematics or Accounting is required.
- Leaving Certificate holders prior to 2017: A minimum of 300 CAO points and at least a D3 in Ordinary Level English and either Mathematics or Accounting is required.
- You must be at least 18 years of age on or before 1st July in the year of entry.
- You may be eligible for subject exemptions for previously attained relevant qualifications at the discretion of the ATI.
- See full eligibility requirements at www.accountingtechnicianapprenticeship.ie.
Assessment and Certification
Examinations take place in May.
On successful completion of the Apprenticeship programme, trainees with be awarded a Diploma for Accounting Technicians certified by Accounting Technicians Ireland.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this programme, you can pursue careers in a range of areas across the public sector, industry, private accountancy practices and self-employment. Accounting Technicians perform a wide range of roles including:
- Bookkeeping
- Financial Accounting & Budgeting
- Costing & Credit Control
- Payroll Administration
- Tax Returns
Progression
Graduates from the Apprenticeship Programme can progress to higher professional accounting qualifications including ACA, ACCA, CIMA, and CPA.
Successful graduates will receive generous exemptions on Chartered Accountants Ireland’s study programmes so that they can continue to progress their career within the profession. So by choosing the on-the-job apprenticeship route, they have the opportunity to become fully qualified Chartered Accountants in just five years.
