Accounting - Advanced

This popular vocational programme is designed to meet the needs of accounting graduates who wish to pursue a career as an Irish Chartered Accountant. It is an academically challenging programme which attracts high calibre accounting graduates. It allows students to combine a postgraduate master's qualification with study for professional examinations.



This well established and popular 'dual award' programme is designed to meet the needs of accounting graduates who wish to pursue a career as an Irish Chartered Accountant. It is an academically challenging one-year taught programme which encompasses both professional and conceptual material, enabling accounting graduates to study for a master's award and at the same time gain exemptions from professional examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland. It is one of the leading programmes of its kind in Ireland and is the result of close collaboration with Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), and the in-depth experience and expertise of the course team.

Year one

• International Corporate Reporting

• Audit, Assurance and Professional Ethics

• Strategic Financial Management

• Advanced Tax Planning

• International Group Reporting

• Advanced Taxation

• Strategic Management Accounting

• Research Methods for Accounting

• Dissertation This module is optional

• Data Analytics for Business Decisions This module is optional

Entrants will normally possess a good second class Honours degree (currently 2.1) in an accounting discipline and must also be exempt from all CAP 1 subjects of Chartered Accountants Ireland.



Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma in Accounting (currently with commendation) and gained full CAP 1 exemptions are also invited to apply. English language competence: minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent.



Prior to admission to this course, students must provide the University with a certificate of exemption from Chartered Accountants Ireland. Exemption Application Forms are available at www.charteredaccountants.ie and the deadline for applications is 31 July.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Over the course of one academic year, lectures and seminars are scheduled during the University working day, and typically spread over three/four days per week during each semester.



Typically 15-18 contact hours per week with the remainder of the time allocated to independent study.

Start Date: September 2025.

Career options

Employment prospects for students completing this programme are excellent, with most students securing training contracts with Chartered Accountancy firms. The programme is highly regarded by employers, with many of the large and medium sized chartered accountancy firms sponsoring students on the programme.



Career opportunities for Chartered Accountants have never been better. Typically, two thirds of CAI members work in industry, business or finance. Many leading companies in Ireland have a Chartered Accountant as their Financial Director or Chief Executive. A third of members typically work in practice. International recognition brings global mobility for CAI members with over 3,500 members working outside Ireland (e.g. Australia, USA, Canada, Caribbean).