Careers

Navigating student life in a professional body can be challenging, but Chartered Accountants Ireland Student Societies offer invaluable connections, personal growth and career-boosting opportunities to enhance your training experience, writes Meabh Cahill Navigating life as a student of a professional body offers great development opportunities, but it can also present challenges others may not fully understand.  The Chartered Accountants Ireland Student Societies (CASSI) provide a platform for students to connect with like-minded individuals who share similar experiences.  Getting involved in these societies, whether on a regional or national level, can significantly enhance your experience during your training contract, offering numerous personal and professional benefits. Making lasting connections Joining a regional student society offers the chance to meet new people and build meaningful relationships that will benefit your professional career.  CASSI brings together students from across Ireland, allowing you to bond over shared interests and experiences. The social events, wellness activities and regular gatherings foster a supportive network and instil a strong sense of belonging, which is crucial during study leave.  Participating in these activities offers a welcome escape from the pressures of exams and deadlines, serving as a healthy distraction to help relieve stress and improve mental well-being. Personal growth Being part of a student society pushes you out of your comfort zone and helps you develop essential skills like public speaking, time management and decision-making.  Taking on responsibilities such as organising an event, cultivating a social media presence, running for leadership positions or managing budgets can boost your self-confidence and prepare you for future academic and professional challenges. Career booster Involvement in a student society enhances your CV.  Employers highly value the teamwork, leadership and event planning skills developed through student society participation. These experiences demonstrate your ability to manage responsibilities, collaborate and take initiative, qualities that are highly sought after in the job market.  By collaborating with committees such as ACA Professionals and the Chartered Accountants Ireland Members’ Board, students develop extremely valuable connections and gain interpersonal skills in an era where engagement is increasingly limited due to online learning and hybrid working.  Joining a student society will serve you greatly in your career as those involved in student societies often go on to become leaders in the accountancy profession, in both practice and industry, as well as in district societies and the Members’ Board. Student community I would encourage all students to get involved in their regional societies as well as CASSI. Joining a student society offers a broad range of benefits, from improving your social life and confidence to boosting your CV and leadership skills. It’s a great way to manage stress and make a meaningful impact on the student community in Chartered Accountants Ireland. Meabh Cahill is Chair of CASSI and Tax Associate with Grant Thornton  

For newly qualified accountants, the job market is brimming with both local and international opportunities, presenting plenty of options depending on individual goals. Simon Cogan, Consultant at Barden, and Siobhán Sexton, Business Lead with Barden, look at what to expect in 2025 Since the pandemic, career opportunities for newly qualified Irish accountants have evolved dramatically. Whether looking at international roles, local positions or adapting to new work models, 2025 promises a landscape full of potential. International opportunities In the last few years, international moves for newly qualified accountants have gained significant traction.  In 2023 and 2024, an estimated 60 percent of Irish accountants ventured abroad, gravitating towards traditional destinations like Australia, London and Canada, as well as emerging markets in the Middle East.  However, as markets saturate with similar profiles, some countries have grown increasingly competitive, requiring professionals to stand out through niche skills or additional experience, making relocation a bit less straightforward.  For those open to starting with short-term or contract roles, overseas experience remains highly valuable and, when done right, can be a great step for career growth. The local market: increasing demand for talent Ireland’s accountancy market is strong, with plenty of opportunities across various industries. Salaries have risen, particularly in Dublin, Cork and Galway, where companies are competing for talent. There are also long-term prospects locally in growing fields like renewable energy, technology and FMCG. Networking remains invaluable for jobseekers. Partnering with a specialised talent advisor can open doors to roles that aren’t publicly advertised. Taking a proactive approach – whether through LinkedIn or local networking events – can make a real difference in landing the right role. Future skills in demand With the growing focus on digitalisation and sustainability, skills in data analytics, ESG, sustainability reporting and regulatory compliance can set accountants apart and this shift is broadening career paths for early-career accountants.  As companies prioritise sustainable business models, these roles are gaining traction, creating opportunities for those interested in environmental finance. Familiarity with financial software like advanced Excel, SAP or Power BI is also a big plus. Interpersonal skills, such as communication and adaptability, are more valued than ever. The ability to navigate various interpersonal relationships, collaborate effectively, and adjust to changing priorities or business environments makes a lasting impression and provides a solid base for long-term success in the field. Remote and hybrid work: adapting to a new work culture While remote work became the norm in 2020 and 2021, companies are gradually adjusting their policies as they navigate post-pandemic dynamics.  Hybrid work models are here to stay, with most organisations offering two days of remote work per week. However, there is a noticeable shift towards in-office work as businesses emphasise collaboration and mentorship, especially for those early in their careers. For newly qualified accountants, working onsite offers distinct advantages, particularly in terms of direct mentorship and hands-on experience.  Many professionals who trained during 2020/2021/2022 missed out on face-to-face learning from senior colleagues, which remains a crucial element for skill development.  In 2025, expect a blend of flexible work arrangements, albeit with a stronger in-office presence required, especially in client-facing roles or those that profit from regular team interaction. This can only benefit early-career accountants for the long term.  The return of overseas talent  An interesting trend shaping 2025’s job market will be the return of Irish accountants who have gained international experience. Many who initially moved abroad are now returning home.  This influx of internationally experienced professionals could introduce a new level of competition in senior roles. It also enhances the talent pool, fostering a vibrant, knowledge-rich environment that ultimately benefits Irish companies. Moving from practice to industry: key considerations For newly qualified accountants deciding between staying in practice or transitioning to industry, 2025 looks set to offer a variety of paths.  Staying in a Big Four firm, for example, is ideal for those aiming to become a partner or gain exposure to different client types. Moving into industry, however, typically provides broader financial experience sooner, which may be of help long term, if industry is where someone wants to progress. The demand for specialised experience is also growing; companies seek accountants with technical knowledge in areas like IFRS and financial modelling, often preferring candidates with post-qualified industry experience for more complex roles. A time of opportunity For newly qualified accountants in 2025, the career landscape is rich with opportunity. Whether pursuing roles in Ireland or exploring global markets, accountants have plenty of choice, with new sectors emerging and traditional industries expanding.  By staying adaptable, honing both technical and soft skills, and strategically planning career moves, newly qualified accountants can position themselves for rewarding paths in the evolving financial world. With the right preparation, partnering with a specialised talent advisor and taking a proactive approach, 2025 could be an excellent time to build a fulfilling career, whether at home or abroad.

The end of your training contract is a transitional period. Niall O’Keeffe, Senior Associate at Barden, outlines some key areas to focus on as the countdown towards your new career as a qualified accountant begins  For anyone approaching the end of a training contract and thinking about switching roles, there are a few things you should start to consider in these final weeks and months.  1. The CV The CV is an important document that can take you from aspiring applicant to sitting in front of the hiring manager. However, a weak CV can act as a blocker to this, so it is of the utmost importance to get it right. When creating a CV, people often just add a section to the top of their old CV from college. You’re a qualified professional now and your CV should reflect this. We usually find that it is better to start fresh rather than copy and paste some content on top of your old CV.  Your CV should be unique, detailed and specific to you. Avoid anything too generic.  For example, if you trained in audit and are looking for a financial accounting role in industry, avoid bullet points that are too audit-focused (“I was involved in audit planning, substantive procedures, controls testing, dealing with stakeholders, training my juniors….”). Instead, keep it specific and detailed. (“During this engagement, I was audit senior for a team of five and was responsible for testing the following technical areas: Revenue in line with IFRS 15, PPE, Deferred Liabilities etc.”) If you have trained in practice, we also recommend breaking your experience up by engagement. Pick three to five of your most prominent clients/projects and have four to five bullet points specific to that engagement.  If you have trained in industry, consider breaking your experience up by the various rotations or areas you got exposure to – financial reporting, tax, FP&A etc. This gives your CV a clean structure and makes it easier to digest.  2. Networking  Never underestimate the power of your network. A lot of people secure roles through the people they know, rather than agencies or LinkedIn.  But what exactly is networking and how can newly qualified accountants develop this skillset? Networking is defined, broadly speaking, as “the process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts”. A well-connected professional network can greatly benefit your career growth and aid in advancement. Networking involves forming relationships with colleagues, managers and industry peers. Your network isn’t just about long-term relationships with friends and colleagues; it also includes more distant connections with business leaders and casual acquaintances, such as those met through clients. Even though these connections might not be as close, they can be extremely valuable, often offering information or links that can broaden your reach and learning opportunities.  Anyone whom you have built up even a slight rapport with, make sure to be proactive and add them on LinkedIn – whether that person is the office intern or the Finance Director of your main audit client.  As you approach the end of your training contract, make a conscious effort to build genuine connections in every interaction you have with colleagues and clients, so that you can lean into this network when looking for your next role. 3. LinkedIn  There’s no getting away from it. If you haven’t already, it’s time to embrace, build and promote your online presence, predominantly through LinkedIn.  As a newly qualified accountant, your LinkedIn profile is your online personal brand and should be thought of as a tool to catch the eye of in-house talent acquisition teams, agency recruiters and hiring managers alike. Here are a few tips to get started. Quick impression Recruiters scan LinkedIn profiles in 30 seconds. Use your summary title (the title under your name) and profile summary to fully communicate your skillset.  For example, instead of placing "Tax Senior" in your title, write “Tax Senior, Commerce & Industry | Chartered Accountant FAE” – the more keywords, the better. You have 120 characters so use them!  Complete and accurate information  Update all academic and career information to reflect your current qualifications and stage in practice. If you don’t show you’ve passed your FAEs, a recruiter might think you’re not qualified yet.  Ensure employment dates are correct and match your CV, to avoid any discrepancies. Your LinkedIn profile should mirror your CV. Public profile and personal touch Don’t be afraid to promote yourself – but be personal – think of your LinkedIn summary as the landing page of a website: you need to give people a reason to stay and read on.  Be mindful of what you share on LinkedIn. Avoid sensitive details like client names.  Use LinkedIn Now that you are set up, don’t be afraid to use LinkedIn!  Connect with colleagues and clients, and join groups such as professional accounting organisations, your university alumni, etc., and make sure to research interviewers’ backgrounds and career paths, which will look impressive in an interview. You can also switch your profile to “#OpenToWork” which can be set to only be seen by users with specific LinkedIn licences (i.e. recruiters and in-house talent acquisition teams). Finally, don’t forget to include a (professional) picture! But not a selfie. Never a selfie.

As we embark on a new training year, success in accountancy is more than just reaching milestones — it's about celebrating small wins, embracing continuous learning and building strong networks, writes Jessica Bourke, CASSI Events Officer Success can mean many different things, especially in our industry.  As we move into a new training year, I hope to broaden my network, connect with new people and take time to deeply reflect on my journey. It's easy to get caught up in the big success stories, but what often goes unseen are the daily commitments, the countless trial-and-error moments and the long hours of hard work that we all put in when we are Chartered Accountants Ireland students. Everyone's path is unique, and each of us faces our own set of challenges. This year, I want to fully embrace this perspective and truly believe this dedication and perseverance will pay off. We should aim to take things one day at a time, one step at a time, as we work toward our goals. And when we achieve those goals, we know there will always be new ambitions to pursue, just as big and meaningful. Reflecting on my journey so far, I realise how important it is to celebrate the small wins along the way. It's easy to overlook the progress made when we are constantly looking ahead to the next big milestone. However, I understand that every small step forward, every skill mastered and every challenge overcome, is a part of the bigger picture.  This year, I want to make a conscious effort to recognise these moments and appreciate the growth they represent. It is through these small achievements that I build the resilience and confidence needed to tackle the bigger challenges ahead. Networking will also be a key focus going forward. Building strong professional relationships is essential in our field, as it opens doors to new opportunities and provides valuable support and guidance. We must actively engage with peers, mentors and industry professionals to exchange knowledge, share experiences and learn from one another.  By expanding my network, I hope to gain fresh perspectives and insights that will help me navigate my career path more effectively. Additionally, these connections can offer encouragement during challenging times and celebrate successes together, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Another important aspect of a strategy for success is dedicating time to self-reflection.  Understanding our strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement is crucial for personal and professional growth. By regularly assessing progress and setting clear, achievable goals, we can ensure that we are continuously moving forward.  This process of reflection also helps us stay aligned with our values and aspirations, ensuring that we are on the right path and making decisions that are true to ourselves. In addition to reflection and networking, another key to success is the commitment to continuous learning. The accountancy profession is constantly evolving, with new regulations, technologies and best practices emerging all the time.  To stay ahead of the curve, we must invest time in professional development, whether through courses, certifications or workshops. Keeping our skills up-to-date will not only enhance our performance but also increase our value to our organisation and clients.  As we move forward into this new training year, I am reminded that success is not a destination but a journey. It is about the continuous pursuit of growth, learning and improvement. I am prepared to face the challenges that come my way with determination and resilience, knowing that each experience contributes to my development.  By taking things one day at a time and one step at a time, I am confident that I will achieve my goals and be ready to set new ones, always striving for excellence. Ultimately, I believe that success is about finding fulfilment in what I do and making a positive impact through my work. As I continue to grow in my career, I want to remain open to new possibilities, stay curious and embrace every opportunity to learn and grow. 

When navigating the transition from trainee to qualified accountant, there are a few things you can do to make it easier for yourself. Tanya Thomas explains how In the last few years, you were accepted into a training contract and have lived an extended life as a student while also working full-time. It has been busy as you balanced study with work AND a social life.  You are almost at the finishing line—the end is in sight. The big questions are: what is next and how will you achieve it? We talk to newly qualified accountants daily, and our conversations vary dramatically. Some are 100 percent certain about what their first role will be out of contract, others are still working it out, and there is a continuum of people in the middle. One thing is for sure: while you are completing your training contract, there are things that you can do to make your transition into life as a qualified accountant easier.  Step 1: Remain aware During your time in practice, it’s crucial to stay proactive and adaptable. Keep your senses sharp – ask questions and be curious.  Initially, you might be assigned to a specific industry group, but remember, this doesn’t have to be your niche for the entire contract. If you feel another client or industry group might suit you better, don’t hesitate to discuss it with your manager. They might be open to accommodating a change.  Remember: if you don’t ask, you won’t get. Step 2: Get to know your colleagues Try to maintain a balance between work, study and getting to know colleagues and your broader circle.  Many practices treat trainees to generous nights out. Make the most of these—go out, let your hair down, and find friends. Often, these will become lifelong friendships.  Step 3: Move your body Stay active during your training contract. Make time for exercise. This could be at the gym, a team sport, or yoga. Whatever you choose, own it and enjoy it. You need to be active to remain healthy and relieve stress. Step 4: Present your best self When you begin your job search after qualification, you will be asked to demonstrate:  what types of accounting roles you want. You may not know 100 percent which direction to take, but some initial ideas will make the world of difference as you commence your search. you know what types of industries interest you. It is important to be able to talk about your preferred industries, as each industry has its own nuances.  you can build rapport with managers and partners in an authentic and honest manner. They all started in the same position you are in now and should be able to understand/empathise with your journey. Ask questions, ask for advice, ask about their weekend, and listen to their answers. you have interests and passions outside of accountancy. Chatting about these passions in your interview will bring you and your CV to life.  your awareness of what is happening in the world. Subscribe to a variety of newspapers and read them daily. your evolution and growth. Your LinkedIn profile should not be static – it should reflect you. Make it professional and warm. Make sure the photo does you justice. A smile is always important. you’re always working on your CV. Keep a file of the work that you have been doing – both everyday tasks and special projects. When it comes time to complete your CV, you may find that it is hard to remember all the elements. By keeping a continuous record, you should not have problems completing your CV with relevant and interesting content. that you can upskill. The world is changing, and with the arrival of artificial intelligence and data analysis, required skills are changing. Make sure that you are not only aware of this, but that you are also enrolling in as many relevant courses as you can. There are lots of ways to prepare for that time when you finally qualify as a Chartered Accountant, but start your preparation while you are training and not the day of your final exam. I promise this preparation will be reflected in your first salary out of contract. Tanya Thomas is a Director at A+F Recruitment

Navigating post-contract options can be overwhelming. Bernie Duffy helps Chartered Accountants explore diverse paths within the finance sector, offering insights on market segments, role titles and staying in or moving from practice For many people, coming out of contract can be daunting, with most unsure of their potential options.  The specialisation for your career should depend on your interests and, ultimately, your long-term goals. Step 1: The market Before we start thinking about the types of roles you might want to take, you first need to step back and look at the wider context of the market.  At Barden, we use what we call “The Three Pillar Model” to simplify the market.  The market can be broken down into practice (accounting firms) and non-practice. If you enjoy practice, there are a lot of options to build a great career.  Non-practice can be broken down into two separate pillars: financial services (any company with a financial product or service) and industry (companies with a non-financial product, so everything from retail to manufacturing and tech). It's easier to move within a pillar than between them, and as you gain more post-qualified experience (with a salary reflective of that specialism), that difficulty increases. Step 2: Understanding role titles The second you start to read job specs and consider different roles, you will notice that companies call similar roles by different names.  Broadly speaking, qualified accountants moving to non-practice will see three different types of roles: financial accountant, financial analyst, and internal audit.  About 75 percent of people from practice will start in some form of financial accounting. Financial accounting is the historical side of accounting; accounting for things that have already happened – looking at month-end and year-end reporting.  These roles will vary depending on the company's organisational structure, usually with roles in larger companies being more set and defined and smaller companies having broader and more undefined roles.  Financial accounting can be a great first move to learn the foundations of the finance function, and can mean pivoting easily into any of the other roles later.  Approximately 10 percent of people will make a first move into a financial analyst position.  Financial analysis is the forward-looking side of accounting, which will include activities such as budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis, usually with the goal of becoming a finance business partner.  The final 15 percent is split between internal audit (around 7.5 percent) and other areas such as tax accounting, corporate finance, and system and project accounting.  Internal audit can be a great way to pivot audit experience into industry but is very different to external audit.  Internal audit roles vary from company to company. They can be operational or finance-focused and, in many cases, used as a stepping stone to a more commercial role in the company. Step 3: Staying in or moving from practice The practice pillar is also still an option and worth considering.  Staying in practice or within audit are good options if you are enjoying it or want to develop your skill set further.  A lot of people who have been trained in audit don’t consider other options within practice. Some of these may be worth considering, particularly if you are trying to pivot your career and skillset in a different way.  Other departments include corporate finance, advisory or consulting, management consulting or financial accounting advisory services, data analytics, or environment, social or governance, to name a few.  You should think of the career path you want to follow from the department you are considering and ensure it aligns with your long-term goals and will be of benefit to you spending time there. At the end of the day, it is all trial and error, and some moves will require stepping stones, so don’t worry if your next role isn’t your forever role.  Focus on taking steps in the right direction and getting as much learning and development as possible. Bernie Duffy ACA is a Senior Associate with Barden’s Accounting, Finance and Tax Talent Advisory & Recruitment Practice, and she supports Recently Qualified Accountants. Contact Bernie at bernie.duffy@barden.ie or via LinkedIn