Accounting

Because all students come from similar backgrounds, it has been possible to design the MSc in Accounting so that it encompasses both professional and conceptual material.

Students are trained to prepare financial statements for a range of business entities at an advanced level in accordance with IFRSs/IASs and current professional and legal requirements in International Financial Accounting & Analysis, while interpret such financial statements and report thereon. Advanced Management Accounting seeks to integrate the study of management accounting with the study of strategy, behavioural science and organisation theory and bring students' knowledge of the principles and practice of management accounting to an advanced level. The objective of Corporate and Investment Finance is to equip the corporate manager with the tools and techniques available to create value from the firms financing and investment decisions. Special emphasis is placed on long-term managerial policies and the relevance of corporate finance to the accountant.

Auditing and Professional Ethics familiarises students with the regulatory framework of, and the principles underlying auditing and to gain an understanding of modern auditing procedures while Assurance Services: Theory and Practice furthers develop students' knowledge of current issues and recent developments in auditing and provide an extensive grounding in the contemporary issues within auditing.

Capital Taxes builds advanced knowledge of Irish capital tax law, in areas such as capital gains tax, stamp duty and capital acquisition tax. Students will be equipped to identify and apply the relevant taxation rules and regulations for companies in the Corporation Tax module. Both modules will provide a detailed understanding of the legislative framework, rules, regulations and practice of taxation in Ireland.

Current issues of concern to a range of professional accountants, business and not for profit professionals are examined in the Business & Social Environment module. Professionals from a range of disciplines and industries will give their unique perspectives on the areas above.

Finally, students will undertake a Research & Professional Portfolio. The aim of the portfolio is to give students an understanding of the processes involved in undertaking social science research with a particular emphasis on research in accounting.

Designed and continually updated in conjunction with both leading industry and academic experts.
Lectures are delivered by experienced experts from industry and practice.
DCU Business School is accredited by AACSB, a standard reached by only 5% of business schools worldwide reflecting its established international reputation for high quality graduates.
Gain generous exemptions such as CAP2 from the Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Prepare students for success in the advanced professional examinations in accounting such as the FAEs.

Subjects taught

Academic Structures
Programme Academic Structure for 2023 - 2024, MSc in Accounting
This information is provisional & subject to change.

Year 1 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
AC500 Accounting, Sustainability and Society 5 Year long 0 100 1
AC512 Auditing and Professional Ethics 5 Semester 1 80 20 1
AC515 Assurance Services:Theory and Practice 5 Semester 2 80 20 1
AC571 International Financial Accounting & Analysis 15 Year long 80 20 1
AC572 Managerial Accounting: A Strategic Emphasis 15 Year long 80 20 1
AC584 Data Analytics for Accounting and Business 5 Year long 0 100 1
AC585 Research & Professional Portfolio 25 Autumn Semester 0 100 2
AC598 Taxation I 5 Semester 1 100 0 1
AC599 Taxation II 5 Semester 2 100 0 1
EF562 Corporate and Investment Finance 5 Semester 1 80 20 1

Entry requirements

Requirements
For admission to the M.Sc. in Accounting candidates must hold –
A 2.1 Honours degree in Accounting (or in a Business degree with a significant specialism in Accounting), or international equivalent, together with full exemption from the CAP1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland;

OR

A credit award in a Professional Diploma in Accounting together with full exemption from the CAP1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Applicants who have achieved a 2.2 Honours degree in Accounting (or in a Business degree with a significant specialism in Accounting), or a Pass award in a Professional Diploma in Accounting (or equivalent), may still obtain a place. This will depend on availability of places and on obtaining high grades in core Accounting modules (Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation and Finance) in your programme.

Candidates who have not received their degree results by the application closing date will receive conditional offers.
NOTE : It is a condition of admission to this programme that applicants are fully exempt from CAP 1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland. All applicants must apply directly to Chartered Accountants Ireland for exemption and provide the University with a certificate of exemption from Chartered Accountants Ireland. A list of Chartered Accountants Ireland accredited courses is available on the Chartered Accountants Ireland website. The deadline for exemption applications to the Institute is normally the end of July (you should check this with the Institute to be sure). Failure to produce proof of CAP 1 exemptions on joining the programme may result in withdrawal of your place on the programme.

International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.

Application dates

Application Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until:
Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2024.
Closing date for EU applicants is 31st July 2024.

Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.

All applicants should apply through the college website - see Application Weblink above.

• Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.

• Exemption from CAP1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland

• If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml.

Duration

1 year full-time.

Enrolment dates

The programme commences in September 2024

Post Course Info

Careers
Graduates of the MSc in Accounting are exempt from all subjects in the CAP2 Examination of Chartered Accountants Ireland. To qualify as chartered accountants, graduates of the programme will be required to pass the Institute's Final Admitting Examination and to serve a training contract of three years.

Graduates are typically employed by the leading international accounting firms, who go on to great success in their professional examinations. Frequent employers of our graduates include Accenture, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, JP Morgan, KPMG and PwC.

More details
  • Qualification letters

    MSc

  • Qualifications

    Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ)

  • Attendance type

    Daytime,Full time

  • Apply to

    Course provider