Accounting Technician Apprenticeship

Course description

WHAT IS ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN
APPRENTICESHIP?
The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship is a two-year,
work-based learning programme which leads to a Level
6 Advanced Certificate in Accounting. It is a pathway
to a career in Accounting. Unlike college courses, an
apprenticeship is an opportunity to earn money and become
qualified while you are learning on-the-job.
As an apprentice you will spend one day a week in
Dunboyne College of Further Education during the academic
year (off -the-job training) and work with an employer for
the remaining four days (on-the-job training). Outside of
term time you will be working with the employer five days a
week (Monday – Friday).
The rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer.
The employer pays you a salary while you are being
trained on-the-job and off -the-job. Accounting Technician
apprentices earn a minimum of €22,035 per annum during
their apprenticeship.
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 during the
on-the-job training period. Additional study in the evenings
or at the weekend will be needed to ensure success in this
apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship equips you with employable business
skills and a strong technical knowledge of finance and
accountancy practice. Everything you learn will support and
inform your work with your employer, providing you with
the opportunity to apply newly gained knowledge and skills
on a daily basis.

COURSE CONTENT

The programme is divided into four modules each year, in addition to four work-based tasks, which contribute to the end of year module grade.

YEAR 1 • Taxation • Business Law • Financial Accounting • Business Management

YEAR 2 • Advanced Taxation • Management Accounting • Advanced Financial Accounting • Financial Data Management

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for membership of Accounting Technicians in Ireland (ATI). As a fully qualified Accounting Technician you will have two years work experience, and access to a range of progression opportunities that offer exemptions and a pathway towards becoming a fully qualified Accountant. Accounting Technicians Ireland graduates have valuable skills to perform accounting tasks including bookkeeping, accounts preparation, expense and VAT analysis, reporting and credit control, as well as specialist tasks in areas such as tax, audit and payroll. On successful completion of your apprenticeship you may work as an accounting technician or use the qualification to progress to a full qualification in accountancy or continue with advanced entry to relevant third level colleges.

EXAMPLES OF HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRESSION:

Professional Accountancy Bodies offering progression opportunities with a range of exemptions available for Accounting Technician Apprentices after programme completion include: • Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI) • Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA) • Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Students who complete the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship programme may transfer to Year 2 or Year 3 of Bachelor’s Degrees in Business, Accounting and Finance in a number of Technological Universities. Full details of progression opportunities to further study are available from Accounting Technicians in Ireland (ATI).

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should have an interest in accounting and be able to commit to completing the apprenticeship while working in full-time employment over the two years. To become an apprentice you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.

Places are awarded via a competitive interview process, where applicants who meet the entry requirements are put forward to participating employers for consideration.

If you are successful at interview stage and accepted by an employer, your new employer will issue you with a two-year contract and you start your apprenticeship in September 2023.

• A minimum of 300 CAO points (or equivalent) within the last 5 years with a pass grade in English, and Maths or Accounting.

• If you sat the Leaving Certificate more than 5 years ago, you should have a minimum of 300 CAO points (or equivalent) with a D3 in Ordinary level English, and Maths or Accounting.

• If you do not have a pass in Leaving Certificate English or equivalent, then you must be able to supply evidence of competency in written and spoken English.

• Students who hold other qualifications at level 5 should contact the college to discuss their application.

• Individual employers reserve the right to require additional entry requirements.

For this apprenticeship you apply via Accounting Technician’s Ireland nominating Dunboyne College of Further Education as your preferred college. Please contact the college for full details on the application process.