Professional qualifications in accountancy
A key advantage of a career in accountancy is the abundance of opportunities to develop your knowledge. On top of the ongoing training and progress reviews you receive when you join your first employer, you will be expected to become a qualified Chartered Accountant. This will combine work and study – and your employer may even fund it. Chartership is an internationally recognised mark of quality and professionalism, signalling to clients and the rest of the industry that your work is top notch.
Training to become chartered normally takes place via a training contract in an accountancy practice or business, and usually takes about three and a half years. There are a number professional accountancy qualifications (covering both Ireland and Northern Ireland) for you to choose from, and your employer will help select the one most suitable. Qualification processes can vary but you will need to complete examinations. Graduates of all disciplines are accepted into the profession and train to become chartered accountants; those with a finance degree are exempt from some parts of the qualification process.
You will have to carry out your full-time job as you study. While you shouldn’t underestimate how tough this can be, your employer and professional association will support you. Most employers are well aware of the demands of juggling full-time work with study, and many give study leave – some even put you in touch with a recently qualified mentor as well. Often employers will cover the costs of your study. These days professional associations provide web resources and online communities for their graduate members.
Professional bodies
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) www2.accaglobal.com
Chartered Accountants Ireland www.charteredaccountantsireland.ie
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) www.cimaglobal.com
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy www.cipfa.org.uk
Accounting Technicians Ireland www.accountingtechniciansireland.ie
Irish Taxation Institute www.taxireland.ie