ACCOUNTANCY is been called the most adaptable of the professions Training and employment cover a choice of areas that include financial services industry, commerce, banking, education, financial and management analysis and even information technology. Few, other professions have that sorts" of flexibility not to accountancy's well grounded reputation as a primary route to upper echelon management.
There are four main accountancy bodies here the Institute Chartered Accountants Ireland, (ICAI) the Chartered, Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA) the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Each provides its own qualification.
The ICAI has about 9,400 members, of whom nearly 7,500 work here or in Northern Ireland, and the rest abroad. It has about 2,500 students, with an annual intake of 500 to 600, most of them third level honours graduates with degrees in business studies predominating. Students train in approved training organisations under contracts, in public practice, industry or commerce three, years for graduate students and four for Leaving Cert entrants. All attend the Centres of Accountancy Studies in Dublin and throughout the country.
The ACCA has over 45,000 members worldwide, examines in over 130 countries, and has 2,300 members, 1,000 graduates and about 4,000 students in Ireland. Here, prospective certified accountants must have a high level Leaving Certificate, or if over 21, can apply as mature students. Exemptions may be given from subjects in the foundation stage of training, assessed individually and based on Third Level qualifications or credit passes. The practical experience required three years in commerce or industry, the public sector or an approved training practice.
The CPA has over 1300 members, and 1600 students here. There is a small proportion of school leaving students, but most come from third level certificate, diploma and degree courses, the majority qualifying for at least one year exemptions from the four year course. The institute also gets people who have been working in accounts departments and want a change in career with an official accounts qualification.
The courses are available in private colleges in Dublin like Griffith College, Accountancy Business College, Portobello, Rapid Results College, and Dublin Business College, or in private colleges around the country and most of the RTCs. The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) has 40,000 members' and 60,000 students world wide, with almost 1800 members in Ireland and about 3,500 students between north and south. The work essentially covers the business of financial management.
Studying for the four CIMA exams can be in the RTCs, the DIT or private colleges. Traditionally, most CIMA students are already working in accounting and finance, and exemptions apply according to third level qualification and service. The number of accounting technicians continues to grow, and the job remains a popular route for those who may eventually want to go on into accountancy itself. The technicians are skilled staff who assist accountants and senior management. The work includes accounts preparation, taxation details, costing, computerised accounting and credit control procedures, and so forth.
The Institute of Accounting Technicians in Ireland (IATI) has a two year course, is sponsored by the ICAI and has 60 educational centres around the Republic and Northern Ireland. The course is available on a full time, or part time basis or by correspondence, and is open to post Leaving Certificate students at designated results levels with no Leaving Certificate requirement for, mature students/self employed people over 21. Post examination students have to gain relevant work experience and then apply for institute membership with the qualification MIATI.
