Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos & Interviews
Bria Murphy, Equity Analyst
Hear from Bria Murphy, Equity Analyst with Davy Private Clients. As a result of becoming a Chartered Accountant, Bria has been able to enjoy one of her passions; travel as she took part in PwC’s international secondment programme to Philadelphia during her training. UCC graduate Bria explains how there is no typical day in her current role with Davy.
Deborah Somorin, Accountant
Deborah completed an Accounting and Finance degree in DCU and then went on to complete a Masters in Accounting. Deborah founded the charity 'Empower the Family' to support young disadvantaged people to complete university after she overcame her own struggles with homelessness and teen pregnancy.
Videos on the Web
- Accountant- from: Youtube Search
- Assistant Management Accountant- from: icould [UK] Video
- Management Accountant- from: icould [UK] Video
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
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
- Chartered accountant- from: GradIreland
- Financial accountant- from: GradIreland
- Management Accountant- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Management accountant- from: GradIreland
Qualities - Accountant
To be an accountant you need to be capable of analysing and interpreting figures. As many accounting systems are computerised, you should also feel comfortable using computers. You'll need good written and spoken communication skills when communicating with clients. You also need to be numerate and analytical with an ability to handle complex information and pay attention to detail.
In some areas of accountancy, you will need to develop a thorough understanding of tax law.
View the Irish Financial Services Skills Framework for details on the technical and professional skills that support effective performance across roles and industries.
Interests - Accountant
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.
Entry / Progression - Accountant
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.
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, accounting, 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.
Pay & Salary - Accountant
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
Labour Market Updates - Accountant
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 (2024)
Employment growth was below average for this occupation over the five-year period, with employment declining by 2,200 between 2022 and 2023. The professional activities sector accounted for the largest share of employment at 44%, with industry and the financial activities sectors combined accounting for a further 28%. Over half (54%) of those employed were female with most working full-time.
The number of employment permits issued fell by 320 between 2022 and 2023 but remained higher than previous years; half of the permits issued related to auditing roles, with the remainder for other accountants (financial, tax, fund) and tax consultants. This occupation accounted for 2.5% of all online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) in 2023. The Recruitment Agency Survey and Skills for Growth data identified difficult-to-fill vacancies for part- or newly-qualified accountants and qualified financial accountants (including those with management experience, communication skills, IT skills and those with experience (5 years+).
Demand is likely to be strong due to replacement demand alone for such a large occupation. 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), corporate sustainability reporting (under CSRD), and changing regulation (e.g. Brexit).
Useful Contacts - Accountant
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Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
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Chartered Accountants Ireland
- Chartered Accountants House, 47 - 49 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
- (01) 637 7200
- Click Here
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Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- 5th Floor, Block E, Iveagh Court, Harcourt Rd., Dublin 2
- (01) 643 0400
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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Certified Public Accountants Ireland (CPA)
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Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI)
