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.

Working Life

Auditors are professionally qualified specialist accountants. They examine a client's accounts to check they have been accurately prepared in accordance with the Companies Act. This covers accounts and financial reporting standards.  
 
Limited companies are required by law to have their accounts audited by a certified or chartered accountant. Auditors often conduct their work on the client's premises. They start by gaining a thorough knowledge of a client's business and continue gathering evidence until they are certain that there are no significant errors in the accounts.  
 
Auditors carry out audit tests and examine samples of documents and records to check that all transactions, assets and liabilities have been properly recorded. Techniques include inspecting assets and seeking further details from both within and outside a company. They may also compare current accounts with the previous year, or with a comparable company's accounts.  
 
Auditors complete their work by preparing a report for presentation to the company's shareholders and management.

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

• Auditor- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Auditor- 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.

A registered Auditor must first qualify as a chartered or certified accountant.  
 
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.

View the Irish Financial Services Skills Framework     for details on the technical and professional skills that support effective performance across roles and industries.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business, office admin, accounting technician.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: business, commerce, accounting.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Accounting, Financial Services.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: business, commerce, economics, maths, statistics, accounting, finance.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: sales, business, accounts, management, financial advice.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

• 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)

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €85k

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

Data Source(s):
Sigmar / Morgan McKinley/ Osborne/ Indeed/ Clark/ Brightwater

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Chartered and certified accountants and taxation experts.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Accountants and tax experts are the second largest occupation in this grouping, with above average employment growth over the five-year period; this was particularly pronounced between 2023 and 2024, with an additional 9,700 persons employed.

Employment was spread across sectors but particularly in professional activities, financial and industry. This occupation had an above average share of women employed and a below average share of non-Irish citizens.

Most of the employment permits issued related to auditors in the financial sector. Despite the strong growth in employment, the share of OJAs for accountants (for the total business and financial group) has fallen since 2023.

Difficult-to-fill mentions (RAS and Skills for Growth) related to accountants, including cost accountants, across financial, tax, insurance, practice and the manufacturing sector, with both newly and part-qualified accountants in demand. In addition to accountancy-related skills, employers were seeking candidates with experience, especially in manufacturing, as well as digital (Excel) and organisational skills.

While demand is evident at present, artificial intelligence is likely to play a transformational role in the tasks associated with this occupation with some highlighting the likely decline in employment numbers for accountants in the long term. However, given such a large occupation, job opportunities will persist.  

• Chartered Accountants Ireland

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

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

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

• Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority

  • Willow House, Millenium Park, Naas, Co. Kildare
  • (045) 983 600
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here