Course Summary
The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PDA), which has been running in ATU since 2010, is designed to fast-track graduates who wish to pursue careers in Accountancy or Taxation.
It is a one-year “conversion programme” aimed at non-accounting graduates from disciplines such as Arts, Computers, Education, Engineering, and Science. Business or Commerce graduates, who have not majored in Accountancy, may also find the programme beneficial. The PDA is a dedicated postgraduate course.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of a 2.2 in a Level 8 degree of any denomination.
Application Details
Fees
EU: €4,800
Non-EU: €14,000
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
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.
Career Progression
Accountancy professionals are consistently in demand in private and public organisations. Training as an Accountant offers increasingly varied roles within organisations at the heart of business development.
The main types of accountants are Professional Accountants (who work in private practice) or Management Accountants (who work in companies), but there are many specialist roles such as Auditors and Taxation Consultants.