Accounting & Financial Services

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Financial Service is a multi-purpose level 9 programme designed to equip learners with advanced knowledge of accounting, financial services and related business sub-disciplines (data analytics), as well as offering opportunities for the development of a unique blend of specialised professional and research skills for employability, life-long learning, professional formation, and postgraduate study.



The programme includes a Work Experience module, the student will be placed in a Financial Services company (ICD Business School employs the services of a professional Financial Services recruitment company to place students in the workplace)



The overall aim of the programme is to upskill and reskill learners for positions in the expanding Financial Services industry.



The Government of Ireland as part of its ‘ Ireland for Finance – The strategy for the development of Ireland’s International Financial Services Sector to 2025’

requires graduates to be suitably qualified to be employed in the Financial Services Sector in Ireland. This has been further compounded by Brexit and the moving of employment in the Financial Services sector from the UK.



The modules in the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Financial Services have been selected specifically to give the student the skills, knowledge and know how that are required in todays’ Financial Services Industry.



When creating the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting & Financial Services, ICD Business School collaborated with individuals and Financial Services firms in and outside of Ireland. The six class based modules have been selected for their specific content that allows the student to specialise in an area of Financial Services (Taxation, Portfolio Management, Insurance) after graduating, along with core Accounting & Financial Services topics such as Corporate Governance, Strategic Financial Management. The Work Experience allows the student to experience in real terms, the Financial Services world, with the prospect of full-time employment with the employer.

Phase I (All 6):

Term 1 October - January:

• Corporate Governance

• Advanced Taxation (Irish)

• Business Policy with Data Analytics



Term 2 February - June:

• Strategic Financial Management

• Investment & Portfolio Management

• Risk Management & Insurance



Phase II:

Term 2 February - June:

• Work Placement



Term 3 June - September:

• Work Placement

Candidates must have a minimum Primary Degree at level 8 (NQF) in Accounting and Finance Candidates have completed all 9 papers in the fundamental stage of ACCA (F1 to F9 inclusive) and have a Primary Degree at level 8 (NQF) in Business area Or equivalent Accredited Prior Learning (APL).



The college may admit candidates who do not meet its basic entry requirements for individual stages (outline above) on the basis of demonstrated RPL/APL/APEL.

1 year full-time.

Entry Date: September.

Career and Academic Progression

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and Financial Services is a Level 9 programme on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, validated by QQI. It may be used for entry onto various Masters’ programmes in similar disciplines in Ireland and outside of Ireland.



The Financial Services industry has been expanding globally over the past number of years. The Government of Ireland has specifically targeted the sector for Direct Investment in Ireland, in particular with its strategy, ‘Ireland for Finance – The strategy for the development of Ireland’s International Financial Services Sector to 2025’



The following is from the Ireland’s National Skills Strategy 2025 ‘CURRENT TRENDS IN SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR SKILLS IN THE ECONOMY’ The National Skills Strategy highlights current skills demand by occupation, Financial Services skills are one of these and are identified as being critical to the success of Ireland and its growing Financial Services sector This programme will produce Graduates who are competent professionals in the field of Accounting and Financial Services, but also due to the emphasis that ICD Business School has on integrating Work Experience into the programme, these graduates should be able to help in the skills shortages that the report highlights.



The National Skills Strategy referenced above highlights the shortages in the Financial Services Sector that Ireland is facing through to 2025.