Accounting

The programme is designed for top graduates who have majored in business, accounting and finance and who wish to pursue a career in accounting, corporate finance, management consulting, and taxation either within the profession or with local or multinational companies. Our focus is not just on the development of technical skills but also on the development of complex problem-solving, critical thinking and softer people skills in our graduates. Attracting ambitious business graduates, the curriculum is calibrated to nurture problem-solvers required in today’s fluid global economy.



This Master's course is delivered at our dedicated Graduate Business School campus, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, located in Blackrock, 4km from the main UCD Belfield Campus.

Curriculum

This rigorous course explores a wide range of theories and concepts and develops an array of technical skills in the areas fundamental to the accounting profession, as well as providing a vital stepping stone to graduates preparing for professional examinations. Knowledge acquisition is tested not only through examinations but also via case studies, whilst IT is used extensively throughout.



Stage 1 Core Modules

ACC40070 Financial Reporting Autumn 7.5

ACC40180 Auditing and Assurance 1 Autumn 7.5

ACC40950 MAcc Management Accounting Autumn 5

ACC41200 Capital and Indirect Taxes Autumn 5

ACC41220 Accounting Analytics Autumn 5

ACC40170 Advanced Financial Accounting Spring 7.5

ACC40190 Auditing and Assurance 2 Spring 7.5

ACC40940 Business Valuation & Analysis Spring 5

ACC41080 Corporate and Personal Taxation Spring 5

ACC41230 Tax Case Study Workshops Spring 5

ACC40910 Professional Development Summer 2.5

ACC41050 Integrative Analysis in Acc Summer 5



Stage 1 Options - A)3 of:

Places will be available for registration in March. Students select 22.5 ECTS (3 modules) from the list of summer option modules

ACC40720 Taxation Summer School Summer 7.5

ACC41020 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Accounting Summer 7.5

ACC41240 Sustainability Reporting & Analysis Summer 7.5

ACC41250 Financial Data Technology Summer 7.5

BMGT46260 Managing Performance Summer 7.5

A first class or second class honours grade 1 Business degree. An overall final degree average grade of minimum 63% or minimum UCD GPA of 3.30/4.2 will be required (or equivalent), students please contact the UCD Smurfit Admissions Team for grade equivalencies.

or



An honours primary degree with a minimum of three years relevant work experience.



AND



To have achieved full exemptions from Chartered Accountants Ireland's (ICAI) CAP 1 Examinations. If you do not have full CAP 1 exemptions from your undergraduate degree you can complete your outstanding CAP 1 subjects as an external student with ICAI. All CAP 1 exemptions must be obtained before the start of term in a given academic year.



The CAP 1 entry requirement may be waived for high performing undergraduate Business students subject to appropriate CAP 1 remediation being agreed prior to admittance to the programme. High performing undergraduate Business students are Level 8 Irish honours degree level Business students (or international equivalent) with an Hons 1.1 degree result (or equivalent) with a level 8 (or international equivalent) knowledge of financial accounting and reporting, finance and managerial accounting. Non-native English speaking students must have a minimum overall IELTS score of 7.5 or or a TOEFL 105 overall (with 20 for the minimum component). Other English Language Certifications are not accepted.



For more information on CAP 1s see: https://www.charteredaccountants.ie



If English is not your first language, an English language qualification is required for admission to all of our programmes. The exception to this rule is if you have completed your primary degree or an entire third level qualification through English, in an English speaking country.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

12 months full-time.

Delivery: On Campus

Fees Full-Time EU:

€14,460 (academic year 2020/2021)


Full-Time Non-EU:

€19,900 (academic year 2020/2021)


Important Note: Tuition fees and other charges are subject to change each year.

B008 Accounting - Master of Accounting Full-Time

Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught (UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School)

Career Opportunities

The Master of Accounting qualification from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School gives you the broad-based knowledge and in-depth accounting skills you need for the long-term development of your career. You gain access to a wide range of employment opportunities, namely within Accounting, Financial Services, Industry and Commerce, and Management Consultancy, and with employers such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Deloitte, and Ernst & Young. UCD Master of Accounting graduates such as Siobhán Talbot, Chief Executive of Glanbia, and Shaun Murphy, Chief Operating Officer of the Ardagh Group, occupy some of the top positions in the business and accounting professions.



87% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in September 2024.



Potential Careers for our Graduates

Potential careers for our graduates include:

Accountant

Auditor

Tax Consultant

Management consulting

Banking and investment management