Accounting Technician Apprenticeship

What is an Accounting Technician?

An Accounting Technician is someone who executes tasks in the areas of accountancy, finance, and taxation, to help prepare the work of accountants. An Accounting Technician may work under the supervision of an accountant and is responsible for updating, checking and analysing financial records, which can then be utilised by accountants. As an accounting technician, you can also offer independent accountancy services, which can give you an opportunity to help expand your professional portfolio. An independent accounting technician can work on complex tasks, such as, consulting and advisory.

What does an Accounting Technician do?

An Accounting Technician can look after a variety of things – meaning the job will never get boring! Below are some of the main duties of an accounting technician. 

• Updating reports and records with financial data. 
• Keeping records of money received, expenses, and controlling budgets.
• Review data and ensure it is accurate.
• Working with clients to prepare budgets, accounts, and other financial statements for them. 
• Administrative tasks such as organising payroll.

Motivation 

Firstly, you should have a clear motivation to become an Accounting Technician and develop a career in accountancy. It is important to consider why you are interested in the programme, and what is it about accounting that appeals to you as a career path!

To succeed at interview stage, you must also be able to demonstrate:

• Motivation to learn and achieve.
• Dedicated class and work attendance.
• Proficient time management.
• Reliability when on the job.
• Professional etiquette.
• Ability to work as part of a team and use your own initiative.

Eligibility Criteria 

The minimum eligibility criteria are as follows:

Leaving Cert students and applicants under 23 

Leaving Certificate students should have at least 300 CAO points and an O5 grade in English and Maths or Accountancy.

If you don’t have 300 CAO points we recommend that you do a PLC course at level 5 (in any subject) and that would allow you to qualify for the apprenticeship as a Previous Qualification Holder and you won’t need the CAO points requirement anymore.

See the Previous Qualification Holder Eligibility Guide below.

The levels listed below refer to the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) in the Republic of Ireland.

 Mature learners (23 and above) with previous qualifications 

Mature learners are eligible to apply. Previous qualification holders should provide details of their qualifications during the application process.

Applicants with no previous qualifications 

Where an applicant has no (formal) qualification, eligibility will be determined through a series of questions.

Generally this will be done as you complete the online application form.

Enhanced Eligibility Criteria  

All applicants should bear in mind that individual employers have the discretion to enhance the entrance criteria beyond the minimum academic standards.

The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship programme is a practical pathway to a career in Accounting where apprentices are mentored through a two-year work-based learning education training programme.

The duration of this programme is two years from the commencement date in September 2023. You should be able to commit to completing the programme syllabus while working in full-time employment over the two years.

You will be attending off-the-job training at college one day and working with a registered Apprenticeship employer four days during college term time (on-the-job training) on a weekly basis. Outside of college term, you will be working five days a week.

For the FIRST YEAR  in college the Stage One modules an apprentice will be studying are:

• Financial Accounting
• Taxation
• Business Law
• Business Management

For the SECOND YEAR  in college the Stage Two modules an apprentice will be studying are:

• Advanced Financial Accounting
• Advanced Taxation
• Management Accounting
• Financial Data Management

For each module studied the assessment will include the combination of written examinations and the completion of four approved work-based tasks per year.

Exams will take place online in May/June each year with an option for any repeats required to be completed in August.

Throughout the two years an apprentice will be supported by a college mentor and a workplace mentor assigned by their employer to oversee and support them with their on the job training.

Additional home study in the evenings or at the weekend will be needed to ensure success for this programme.

This national programme leads to a Level 6 QQI Advanced Certificate in Accounting and provides exemptions from professional accountancy bodies and relevant third level colleges to complete further studies.

The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship provides exemptions upon programme completion from professional accountancy bodies and relevant third level colleges to complete further studies. Please click here to download the range of progression routes.

Many apprenticeship employers will aim to retain their apprentice in employment following completion of the programme. Regardless Accounting Technician apprentice’s skillsets are always required across all sectors so graduates are developing their career for the future.

What next? 

If you would like to become an Accounting Technician Apprenticeship in September 2023, please visit complete the online application here

Further information about the programme can also be found on the ATI website Information and application | Accounting Technicians Ireland

You can contact the ATI Apprenticeship Team by calling 01 6498198 or emailing [email protected] for any queries.