Accounting Technicians Ireland: Making training add up
Accountancy remains one of the most popular careers for those looking to improve their business skills or change career.
Jason O'Connor, director of marketing with Accounting Technicians Ireland, points out that there are a number of options available to those who are either starting out in a career in accountancy or for others who want to obtain further qualifications.
"For those looking for a career in accounting or business, the Accounting Technicians Ireland qualification can be obtained in as little as two years and it enables successful candidates to work in a wide range of finance roles, from accounts staff to financial controller and more," he says.
Accounting Technicians Ireland (formerly known as the IATI) was established in 1983 and currently has over 10,000 members and students.
"The Accounting Technicians Ireland qualification is an attractive route for many people who want to fast-track a career in accounting. It's very appealing for those who want to enter the profession or simply need to formalise their workplace learning with a professional qualification," says O'Connor.
Accounting technicians can carry out financial accounting, budgeting, costing and credit control, payroll administration and tax returns. They can be found working in both the public sector and private enterprise as well as in industry and commerce. In a small company, they may be the only qualified employee looking after the finance function, while in a larger company, they may be working as part of a team alongside accountants and administrative staff.
The qualification is incredibly accessible and allows students the choice of studying full-time, part-time or through distance learning, thus affording them the opportunity to work and study at the same time.
"The attractiveness of an Accounting Technicians Ireland qualification has really hit home among employers over recent years and, so too with prospective students, as borne out by the fact that Accounting Technicians Ireland continues to experience some of its highest ever levels of student registrations," O'Connor says.
He says he is not surprised by the continued popularity of this qualification. "The qualification offers a very practical foundation in business, and covers a lot of the areas that appeal to employers. The qualification is very much geared towards working in a business environment, as all Accounting Technicians Ireland students must combine two years of study with two years relevant work experience."
O'Connor adds: "As well as being a stand-alone professional qualification, it can also act as a stepping stone into the senior accounting bodies. Accounting Technicians Ireland has exemption arrangements in place with all the other accountancy bodies, including its partner body Chartered Accountants Ireland, CPA, ACCA and CIMA.
"However, most graduates go directly into work following their Accounting Technicians Ireland exams and take up key roles across industry and in accounting practices. Self-employment is also a possibility for qualified technicians."
While most people who do the accounting technician course may already be working in an accounting-related area, O'Connor explains how Accounting Technicians Ireland has an in-house recruitment agency called Accounting Technicians Recruitment to assist people with their career options.
"We will work with our students and members if they are looking for a new job or maybe trying to get on to the career ladder," says O'Connor.
Accounting Technicians Ireland courses, both full-time and part-time, are available at over 80 colleges in practically every county throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. These include leading private and community colleges, VECs and some institutes of technology.
In addition to its network of partner colleges, Accounting Technicians Ireland also has its Accounting Technicians Professional Education programme which it launched last year.
For the first time in its history, Accounting Technicians Ireland is delivering lectures directly, and last October, admitted its first intake of first-year students. From September 2010, it will also deliver lectures for the second-year suite of subjects.
Lectures run two nights a week over two years and are delivered from the new Chartered Accountants Ireland training centre on Pearse Street, Dublin where Accounting Technicians Ireland has its head office.
"Students enjoy the full attention of the highly experienced teaching staff who are not just chosen for their academic skills but also their experience in business which they are encouraged to share with their students," says O'Connor.
He confirmed: "The vast majority of Accounting Technicians Ireland students are mature students, most of whom have been out of education for anything from five to 10 years. We take this into consideration and all students are offered individual attention and support from lecturers throughout the academic year."
Students can also embrace a virtual learning environment, as lecture notes are put up online at the end of each week. The online forum is an additional support, allowing students to communicate with their lecturers directly via email.
The new state-of-the-art training centre is located opposite the Dart station at Pearse Street in Dublin, and offers facilities such as purpose-built lecture halls, a canteen, and library.
For further information log on to www.AccountingTechniciansIreland.ie
