Please note: Mature students and candidates with no previous qualification may be eligible for this apprenticeship.  A candidate may be interviewed by phone or in person to determine appropriate alternative eligibility.  

Before starting your online application on the Accounting Technician’s Ireland website, please check that you meet the minimum academic requirements and other applicable entry criteria as outlined below. 

• CAO Points: 300 CAO points (or equivalent) with a pass (O6) in Leaving Certificate English, and either Leaving Certificate Mathematics or Accounting (within the last 5 years).
  A pass in Accounting is not a requirement.
  or
  300 CAO points (or equivalent) with a D3 in Ordinary Level English and Maths or Accountancy (for those who sat the Leaving Certificate in the past five years). 
  
  
• English language Proficiency: If an applicant does not have a pass in Leaving Certificate English or equivalent, they must have evidence of competency in written and spoken English. 
  
  
• PLC students or other previous qualification holders: PLC students or other previous qualification holders are also eligible if the qualification is in a different discipline and is a NFQ Level 5 or above. Alternatively, the CAO points and subjects requirements noted above will apply
  
  
• Mature students: Candidates (23 years of age or older) are eligible to apply if they meet the academic or alternative qualification requirements noted. Evidence of this will be required. 
  
  
• Accounting Technicians pre-apprenticeship graduates eligibility: Applicants who have completed the Accounting Technician pre-apprenticeship programme in Colaiste Ide (or other similar pre-apprenticeship programmes developed under the PLC Pathways to Apprenticeship) can access the apprenticeship provided they receive an offer of employment from a registered employer.  
  
  
• Applicants with no previous qualification eligibility: Where an applicant has no (formal) qualification, eligibility will be determined through a series of questions. Generally, these will be carried out by phone, but it can be done in person where appropriate. 
  
  
• Applicants with previous qualification eligibility: Eligibility is determined based on previous qualifications attained by the applicant in the last 5 years. The Levels listed below refer to the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in the Republic of Ireland.
• 

View the full range of entry requirements in the Applicant Guide here.    

The duration of this programme is two years from the programme's commencement date. You should be able to commit to completing the programme syllabus while working in full-time employment over the two years.

Every week during the academic term, you will attend college (off-the-job training) one day per week and work with an employer (on-the-job training) for four days. 

Outside of college term, an apprentice will attend work five days a week. 

The off-the-job training day is set by the college and will be on a Monday or Tuesday, typically from 9:00am to 6.00pm. An employer will allocate appropriate work hours for the four days on-the-job training.  The training (on-the-job and off-the-job) will not exceed the 37.5 hours per week required to be completed by the apprentice for the programme and their employment contract. 

FIRST YEAR (Stage one), an apprentice will study:

• Financial Accounting
• Taxation
• Business Law
• Business Management

SECOND YEAR (Stage Two), an apprentice will study:

• Advanced Financial Accounting
• Advanced Taxation
• Management Accounting
• Financial Data Management

Assessment in each module will include a combination of written examinations and the completion of four approved work-based tasks per year. 

Throughout the two years, an apprentice will be supported by a college mentor and a workplace mentor assigned by their employer to oversee and support them with their on-the-job training.

Institutes that provide off-the-job training include: 

• Blackrock Further Education Institute    
• Celbridge Further Education and Training Centre    
• Cork College of Further Education and Training - Morrison's Island    
• Dunboyne College of Further Education    
• Griffith College Dublin     
• Southern Regional College Portadown    
• Northern Regional College Ballymena    
• Northern Regional College Newtonabbey    
• Mayo College of Further Education and Training - Castlebar Campus    
  

See a full list of off-the-job training providers here        

An Accounting Technician is expected to have the following qualities:

• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Professional competence and due care
• Confidentiality
• Professional behaviour
• Confidence
• Attention to detail
• Strong communication
• Ability to multi task
• Ability to cope under pressure
• Strong numeracy skills

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, the Accounting Technician will have: 

• 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 

Core Skills

• Process Accounts Receivable and Payable, Sales, Purchases and nominal ledger administration
• Maintenance of bookkeeping records
• Account for Accruals and Prepayments
• Support the budget preparation process
• Support the preparation of accounts
• Analysis of monthly expenses, credit cards, VAT analysis
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of statutory obligations
• Complete bank reconciliations
• Analyse and interrogate data and provide a high-level overview 
• Produce reports
• Credit control
• Responsibility for petty cash

Technical Skills

• Tax - Complete & file VAT Returns. Deal with Revenue queries 
• Payroll - Setup new staff, Issue P45s, Complete Social Welfare Forms, Process monthly payroll, Prepare payroll Journals
• Audit - Support the preparation for the annual audit
• Computer skills - Including MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint Knowledge of accounting software including Sage/Relate Accounts Production

Soft Skills

• Operates with a high level of integrity, diplomacy, tact, and professionalism
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and orally
• Report Writing
• Customer Service Skills, helpful and approachable
• Strong organisational skills, with ability to manage multiple tasks and resources
• Time management including prioritising schedules and timelines
• Attention to detail and problem-solving
• Ability to work as part of a team and on their own initiative

Transversal Skills 

• Maths, Accounting, English, Computer skills 

View the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship Occupational Profile  here    

What does an Accounting Technician do?

• Maintains a set of accounts. 
• Supports all elements of accounts function, including income and expenditure, balance sheet transactions, statutory returns, and payroll requirements.
• Bookkeeping, and processes all accounts payable and receivable in order to prepare, or support the preparation of, periodic accounts.
• Records and monitors income and expenditure, including accrued and deferred income.
• Completes regular bank reconciliations and accounts for/completes statutory returns.
• Analysis and reports are undertaken regularly to contribute to producing accounts. 
• Produces management accounts and supplies vital financial information as to the running of the Company.
• Costing and cost controls.
• Prepares company annual budgets and monitors the progress of this throughout the year.
• 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

The ATI Accounting Technician programme     is a new national apprenticeship which puts school-leavers on the path to a rewarding career in accountancy.

As a qualified Accounting Technician, you will be able to work for many types of organisations including:

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

Qualified Accounting Technicians may also be self-employed.

The Accounting Technician qualification can also potentially be used as a stepping stone to becoming a professional accountant.

Successful graduates of the Accountancy Technician Apprenticeship will receive generous exemptions on Chartered Accountants Ireland’s study programmes so that they can continue to progress their career within the profession.

Accounting Technicians will be qualified accounting professionals employed throughout all levels of finance across the public sector, industry, private accountancy practices, and self-employment. They will perform a wide range of roles including:

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

 Professional Career Pathway 

• Work in industry, practice, or private sector as a fully qualified Member of Accounting Technicians Ireland (MIATI).
• Progress to further study - pathway to full qualification in accountancy by exemptions from a range of accountancy bodies. 
• Advance entry to relevant third-level colleges. 

This apprenticeship is managed by Accounting Technicians Ireland - the leading professional body for accounting technicians. 

Leaving Certificate students, school leavers, graduates, mature learners, and existing employees looking to start a career in accounting may consider this programme.

Applications open twice yearly in January and September. 

New applicants interested in applying for the next intake can register interest here.     

Employment

To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer.  SOLAS     formally approves employers in advance of employing apprentices. A contract of employment is given to an apprentice as part of their apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship, search the apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on Generation Apprenticeship    . You can search vacancies by location and employer in each apprenticeship. 

View a list of Approved Employers by County/Region and by Apprenticeship type here.    

Your local Education and Training Board     may also hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

Full eligibility criteria are available in the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship brochure    .

 

Further information is also available at the contact details below. 

Accounting Technicians Ireland
47-49 Pearse Street
Dublin 2
Tel: + 353 (0)1 649 8126
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.accountingtechnicianapprenticeship.ie

Finding an Employer

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

To find an apprenticeship and secure an apprenticeship work contract you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs Portal . You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship type.

Your local Education and Training Board may also hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.

You should also directly connect with local employers who might be interested in taking on an apprentice. It is a great idea to get a part time job with a local employer who might be more inclined to take you on as an apprentice following a successful work experience placement or a part time job contract.

Further information about this apprenticeship may be available from the following organisations on this website:

---

Organisations supporting this apprenticeship

Where we know of supporting organisations we list these below:

---

Online Job Sites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.

For the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship:

• Apprentices college tuition is fully funded by SOLAS.
• Apprentices get paid minimum wage of at least €26,325 per annum by the employer.
• Apprentices also get three weeks’ paid study leave a year, in addition to their annual leave.

Note:  A Student Contribution fee is not payable for this apprenticeship.
For any repeat exams, appropriate fees need to be paid by the apprentice.