When you’re researching which accountancy qualification is best for you, we know it can be difficult to get your head around the different options. Chartered Accountancy is distinctly different. So we’ve put together some of those differences in one place, to show how the Chartered qualification gives you the edge – in the short-term as a student, and in the longer-term for your whole career.

Short term differences – as a student

1. You study directly with us

Here’s the first difference: we don’t outsource our education – we provide everything directly to you. We design the syllabus, run lectures, host revision courses and mock exams, provide support, and prepare you for your exams. We are the single biggest educator of professional accountancy students in Ireland, with over 7,500 students and we draw on a pool of 100 of the best lecturers from Ireland and the UK.

You will have direct access to lecturers so you can ask questions, and join study groups with other students. Since March 2020, our lectures have been delivered online.

Our centralized approach ensures the highest levels of academic quality are maintained. This is reflected in the pass rates. Year in, year out, our students have the highest pass of all – 88% in the final year in 2021 – making sure you get qualified quickly. It also means our costs are very clear – one payment, no add-ons.

2. We’ve got training options to suit your needs

To qualify as a professional accountant, you also need to acquire professional experience. Whatever your situation, we have flexible options for you.

Flexible Route – If you are working in business or the public sector, our Flexible Route is for you. This allows you to stay in your job and study without a training contract. There is flexibility around courses and exams, and the opportunity to pace your studies and work experience in a way that suits you.

Training Contract – Chartered Accountants Ireland is the only accountancy body that gives students a supportive framework in which to train, via the unique 3.5-year Training Contract. This training contract, offered by firms and companies, gives you everything you need to qualify – a full time role as a trainee, a competitive salary, paid study leave and course fees, and access to a mentor to support their training and sign off their work experience every six months. Training contracts lead our students to qualify quicker: 83% of Chartered Accountancy students are fully qualified in four years or less, which is faster than students of other accountancy bodies.

3. We’ve got student supports at every step

Being a larger organisation means we are able to offer more support on the ground. We have a dedicated Student Service department in Dublin that handles all kinds of queries for our students around the island of Ireland. We’re only a phone call away – even if you just need some friendly advice!

We also have a Training Support Unit. This is your one-stop-shop for queries around training, work experience, and admission to membership. And if you’re looking for that all important training role, we have a Training Vacancies list, dedicated to trainee Chartered Accountancy roles from some of Ireland’s top firms and companies.

Long term differences – membership

4. Support throughout your career

We provide career supports, lifelong learning and recruitment consultancy at every career stage. We offer networking and other supports through our district and member societies in Ireland and overseas. As Ireland’s leading membership organisation, we also provide technical, representation, and information supports at every step of your journey.

5. Recognition – part of a strong network

We’re the biggest professional accountancy body in Ireland, with over 30,500 members. And we’re the longest established – since 1888 we’ve been at the forefront of Irish business. Chartered Accountants are seen as leaders in the ﬁnancial world and go further and faster in their careers than any other finance professional. Chartered Accountants work at the highest levels of Irish business – 6 out of 10 Chartered Accountants are in the role of Finance Director or more senior, and the top 10 accountancy firms in Ireland are all Chartered. You'll be joining a large and influential network of highly skilled professionals and business leaders.

6. Global opportunities

Chartered Accountancy is a truly global passport. We’re an all-island body with members in more than 90 countries. We are also founder members of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, which brings together hundreds of thousands of Chartered members and students across the globe. Through our exclusive Mutual Reciprocal Agreements, our members can travel the world and in fact we’re the only UK & Ireland body recognised in the USA (AICPA). So you’ll have great prospects wherever your career takes you.

If you’ve got more questions about becoming a Chartered Accountant, contact us today.

Six key differences

(?)

18/04/2018 09:10:37

When you’re researching which accountancy qualification is best for you, we know it can be difficult to get your head around the different options. Chartered Accountancy is distinctly different. So we’ve put together some of those differences in one place, to show how the Chartered qualification gives you the edge – in the short-term as a student, and in the longer-term for your whole career.

Short term differences – as a student

1. You study directly with us

Here’s the first difference: we don’t outsource our education – we provide everything directly to you. We design the syllabus, run lectures, host revision courses and mock exams, provide support, and prepare you for your exams. We are the single biggest educator of professional accountancy students in Ireland, with over 7,500 students and we draw on a pool of 100 of the best lecturers from Ireland and the UK.

You will have direct access to lecturers so you can ask questions, and join study groups with other students. Since March 2020, our lectures have been delivered online.

Our centralized approach ensures the highest levels of academic quality are maintained. This is reflected in the pass rates. Year in, year out, our students have the highest pass of all – 88% in the final year in 2021 – making sure you get qualified quickly. It also means our costs are very clear – one payment, no add-ons.

2. We’ve got training options to suit your needs

To qualify as a professional accountant, you also need to acquire professional experience. Whatever your situation, we have flexible options for you.

Flexible Route – If you are working in business or the public sector, our Flexible Route is for you. This allows you to stay in your job and study without a training contract. There is flexibility around courses and exams, and the opportunity to pace your studies and work experience in a way that suits you.

Training Contract – Chartered Accountants Ireland is the only accountancy body that gives students a supportive framework in which to train, via the unique 3.5-year Training Contract. This training contract, offered by firms and companies, gives you everything you need to qualify – a full time role as a trainee, a competitive salary, paid study leave and course fees, and access to a mentor to support their training and sign off their work experience every six months. Training contracts lead our students to qualify quicker: 83% of Chartered Accountancy students are fully qualified in four years or less, which is faster than students of other accountancy bodies.

3. We’ve got student supports at every step

Being a larger organisation means we are able to offer more support on the ground. We have a dedicated Student Service department in Dublin that handles all kinds of queries for our students around the island of Ireland. We’re only a phone call away – even if you just need some friendly advice!

We also have a Training Support Unit. This is your one-stop-shop for queries around training, work experience, and admission to membership. And if you’re looking for that all important training role, we have a Training Vacancies list, dedicated to trainee Chartered Accountancy roles from some of Ireland’s top firms and companies.

Long term differences – membership

4. Support throughout your career

We provide career supports, lifelong learning and recruitment consultancy at every career stage. We offer networking and other supports through our district and member societies in Ireland and overseas. As Ireland’s leading membership organisation, we also provide technical, representation, and information supports at every step of your journey.

5. Recognition – part of a strong network

We’re the biggest professional accountancy body in Ireland, with over 30,500 members. And we’re the longest established – since 1888 we’ve been at the forefront of Irish business. Chartered Accountants are seen as leaders in the ﬁnancial world and go further and faster in their careers than any other finance professional. Chartered Accountants work at the highest levels of Irish business – 6 out of 10 Chartered Accountants are in the role of Finance Director or more senior, and the top 10 accountancy firms in Ireland are all Chartered. You'll be joining a large and influential network of highly skilled professionals and business leaders.

6. Global opportunities

Chartered Accountancy is a truly global passport. We’re an all-island body with members in more than 90 countries. We are also founder members of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, which brings together hundreds of thousands of Chartered members and students across the globe. Through our exclusive Mutual Reciprocal Agreements, our members can travel the world and in fact we’re the only UK & Ireland body recognised in the USA (AICPA). So you’ll have great prospects wherever your career takes you.

If you’ve got more questions about becoming a Chartered Accountant, contact us today.

Training as a Chartered Accountant opens the door to a vast range of exciting career opportunities in every sector of business and finance, in Ireland and internationally. Irish Chartered Accountants are in constant demand, here and abroad, as their technical competence, professional standards and expertise are essential in business, public practice and government.

Training as a Chartered Accountant will give you an opportunity to join Chartered Accountants Ireland, the country’s largest and fastest-growing accountancy body. Tuition combines innovative coursework with mentored work experience. That proven approach produces accountants who have a greater ability to analyse business problems and develop dynamic solutions. Perhaps that’s why Chartered Accountants rise further and faster in a diverse range of important roles in organisations worldwide.

1. Why Chartered Accountants have the edge

What’s the difference between Chartered Accountancy and other accounting qualifications? Prospective students often ask that question. The answer is that no other professional accounting qualification gives students the same support, structure, guidance and quality of tuition in the training process. Every professional accountancy body in Ireland requires trainees to have a minimum of three years’ practical experience. We are unique because we ensure that our trainees are supported while they get their experience.

As an Irish-based organisation with headquarters in Dublin and Belfast, we are in a unique position to support and guide our students. Members of our Student Services team are available at any time to advise you or answer queries, a fantastic resource at exam time.

2. Exam success

Our purpose-built training centre in Pearse St, Dublin, with its comfortable lecture theatres and restaurant, underlines our singular commitment to students. Our investment in cutting-edge technology means lectures from our Dublin and Belfast centres are available online. Training support extends to our active student societies, which organise a full calendar of social events and give students a voice at the Institute.

Unlike other professional accountancy bodies, we don’t outsource our education; classes are run directly by Chartered Accountants Ireland. Which means that the lecturers and tutors are closer to the material and able to better prepare the students for their exams. Which ultimately means the students do better in their exams.

Our approach to exemptions is transparent and easy for our students to understand. We don’t charge fees to check exemptions, so our students can confirm their starting point before committing to the programme, giving them a clear and accurate picture of what exams they need to sit in order to qualify. We don’t try to lure students with exemptions they should not receive – we believe we must ensure each student starts at the right level. We consider each student’s prior qualification on a case-by-case basis, and where we see an overlap, we award the relevant exemptions. This means that our students ultimately perform better and qualify faster than students of other accountancy bodies. 71% of students pass their exams at the first attempt.

3. First class training

Chartered Accountant training involves a combination of academic and professional training regardless of the route you take. We offer a variety of courses, each with different structures based on local requirements.

We also have a distance programme that offers great flexibility. Students enrolling on a regular course attend lectures for the equivalent of four to five days a month, from October until May. Some venues have a mixture of evening and weekend lectures; others offer face-to-face lectures at weekends with streamed lectures and home assignments.

Students opting for the distance programme will watch content online and attend workshops approximately two days a month. This means students can study at their own pace.

Our lecturers are committed to equipping students with the kind of technical knowledge that will form the bedrock of their professional careers. Trainees are taught how to apply the technical knowledge learned in the classroom to real-life situations. Broad business skills are developed and mentors instil the values that are the foundation of our members’ reputation.

Training can be either in industry (any sector) or in traditional accountancy practices. In both, trainees can expect to learn about financial accounting and reporting, business finance, management accounting, taxation and planning, and auditing and assurance.

4. Chartered Accountancy, a global qualification

An accountancy qualification is truly global if an institute abroad recognises your education and the training you completed to qualify. Despite the claims of other accountancy bodies, Chartered Accountancy is the only Irish professional accounting qualification that has this recognition. Your pre-qualification training and the experience you gain post-qualification are necessary to qualify for auditing and practicing certificates which, in turn, allow you to sign off on audits and accounts. Without these, the ability to operate in a foreign country is severely limited.

Irish Chartered Accountants have true global mobility as their training is recognised internationally. Those looking for an Antipodean adventure will be facilitated by exclusive agreements with the Chartered Institutes in both Australia and New Zealand. Numerous others are in place with countries such as South Africa, Hong Kong, England, Scotland and Wales.

We have unique Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) that offer our members an outstanding entry point to business in any part of the world. An MRA is an agreement between professional bodies that allows membership to transfer from one jurisdiction to another.

Chartered Accountants Ireland is a member of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) and Chartered Accountants Worldwide and is part of a global network of almost 320,000 Chartered Accountants. This brings enormous benefits to our members living, or working, in foreign countries. Of the Institute’s 24,000 members, more than 3,500 are working in 90 countries.

So, the next time you hear an accountancy body is global, or has ‘links’ with other institutes, make sure to ask for some details.

5. Career paths and rewards

A Chartered Accountancy qualification offers you an exciting career path in the industry of your choice, anywhere in the world. Today’s member takes on the role of a business adviser, who makes high-level strategic decisions aimed at driving business, improving profit margins and increasing market share for their clients/employers.

Many Chartered Accountants also use their expertise to set up their own businesses, becoming highly successful entrepreneurs. Chartered Accountants generally also have a solid foundation in economics, marketing and management information systems.

As well as dominating public-accounting practices, Chartered Accountants are found at the highest level in virtually every sector, from financial services, to healthcare, and the music industry.

The rewards that go with the Chartered qualification are significant. The average starting salary for a newly qualified Chartered Accountant in is €56,800, according to a 2017 survey in Leinster.

Seven in ten people said their salary increased by at least 10 percent over the last three years. And, hopefully, that’s just one of the benefits at the start of a long and challenging career.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us via email.

5 great reasons to choose chartered accountancy

(?)

18/04/2018 09:10:49

Training as a Chartered Accountant opens the door to a vast range of exciting career opportunities in every sector of business and finance, in Ireland and internationally. Irish Chartered Accountants are in constant demand, here and abroad, as their technical competence, professional standards and expertise are essential in business, public practice and government.

Training as a Chartered Accountant will give you an opportunity to join Chartered Accountants Ireland, the country’s largest and fastest-growing accountancy body. Tuition combines innovative coursework with mentored work experience. That proven approach produces accountants who have a greater ability to analyse business problems and develop dynamic solutions. Perhaps that’s why Chartered Accountants rise further and faster in a diverse range of important roles in organisations worldwide.

1. Why Chartered Accountants have the edge

What’s the difference between Chartered Accountancy and other accounting qualifications? Prospective students often ask that question. The answer is that no other professional accounting qualification gives students the same support, structure, guidance and quality of tuition in the training process. Every professional accountancy body in Ireland requires trainees to have a minimum of three years’ practical experience. We are unique because we ensure that our trainees are supported while they get their experience.

As an Irish-based organisation with headquarters in Dublin and Belfast, we are in a unique position to support and guide our students. Members of our Student Services team are available at any time to advise you or answer queries, a fantastic resource at exam time.

2. Exam success

Our purpose-built training centre in Pearse St, Dublin, with its comfortable lecture theatres and restaurant, underlines our singular commitment to students. Our investment in cutting-edge technology means lectures from our Dublin and Belfast centres are available online. Training support extends to our active student societies, which organise a full calendar of social events and give students a voice at the Institute.

Unlike other professional accountancy bodies, we don’t outsource our education; classes are run directly by Chartered Accountants Ireland. Which means that the lecturers and tutors are closer to the material and able to better prepare the students for their exams. Which ultimately means the students do better in their exams.

Our approach to exemptions is transparent and easy for our students to understand. We don’t charge fees to check exemptions, so our students can confirm their starting point before committing to the programme, giving them a clear and accurate picture of what exams they need to sit in order to qualify. We don’t try to lure students with exemptions they should not receive – we believe we must ensure each student starts at the right level. We consider each student’s prior qualification on a case-by-case basis, and where we see an overlap, we award the relevant exemptions. This means that our students ultimately perform better and qualify faster than students of other accountancy bodies. 71% of students pass their exams at the first attempt.

3. First class training

Chartered Accountant training involves a combination of academic and professional training regardless of the route you take. We offer a variety of courses, each with different structures based on local requirements.

We also have a distance programme that offers great flexibility. Students enrolling on a regular course attend lectures for the equivalent of four to five days a month, from October until May. Some venues have a mixture of evening and weekend lectures; others offer face-to-face lectures at weekends with streamed lectures and home assignments.

Students opting for the distance programme will watch content online and attend workshops approximately two days a month. This means students can study at their own pace.

Our lecturers are committed to equipping students with the kind of technical knowledge that will form the bedrock of their professional careers. Trainees are taught how to apply the technical knowledge learned in the classroom to real-life situations. Broad business skills are developed and mentors instil the values that are the foundation of our members’ reputation.

Training can be either in industry (any sector) or in traditional accountancy practices. In both, trainees can expect to learn about financial accounting and reporting, business finance, management accounting, taxation and planning, and auditing and assurance.

4. Chartered Accountancy, a global qualification

An accountancy qualification is truly global if an institute abroad recognises your education and the training you completed to qualify. Despite the claims of other accountancy bodies, Chartered Accountancy is the only Irish professional accounting qualification that has this recognition. Your pre-qualification training and the experience you gain post-qualification are necessary to qualify for auditing and practicing certificates which, in turn, allow you to sign off on audits and accounts. Without these, the ability to operate in a foreign country is severely limited.

Irish Chartered Accountants have true global mobility as their training is recognised internationally. Those looking for an Antipodean adventure will be facilitated by exclusive agreements with the Chartered Institutes in both Australia and New Zealand. Numerous others are in place with countries such as South Africa, Hong Kong, England, Scotland and Wales.

We have unique Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA) that offer our members an outstanding entry point to business in any part of the world. An MRA is an agreement between professional bodies that allows membership to transfer from one jurisdiction to another.

Chartered Accountants Ireland is a member of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) and Chartered Accountants Worldwide and is part of a global network of almost 320,000 Chartered Accountants. This brings enormous benefits to our members living, or working, in foreign countries. Of the Institute’s 24,000 members, more than 3,500 are working in 90 countries.

So, the next time you hear an accountancy body is global, or has ‘links’ with other institutes, make sure to ask for some details.

5. Career paths and rewards

A Chartered Accountancy qualification offers you an exciting career path in the industry of your choice, anywhere in the world. Today’s member takes on the role of a business adviser, who makes high-level strategic decisions aimed at driving business, improving profit margins and increasing market share for their clients/employers.

Many Chartered Accountants also use their expertise to set up their own businesses, becoming highly successful entrepreneurs. Chartered Accountants generally also have a solid foundation in economics, marketing and management information systems.

As well as dominating public-accounting practices, Chartered Accountants are found at the highest level in virtually every sector, from financial services, to healthcare, and the music industry.

The rewards that go with the Chartered qualification are significant. The average starting salary for a newly qualified Chartered Accountant in is €56,800, according to a 2017 survey in Leinster.

Seven in ten people said their salary increased by at least 10 percent over the last three years. And, hopefully, that’s just one of the benefits at the start of a long and challenging career.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us via email.

Getting professional experience as a Chartered student

It’s the unique combination of education and practical experience that makes the Chartered qualification different. If you’re thinking about studying with us this year, but are unsure about how you’d go about getting the experience you need, we’ve put together some answers to the most frequently asked questions.

How much practical experience do I need to get to qualify as a Chartered Accountant?

This depends on your starting position. You will need three years if you are an accredited masters or postgraduate student, three-and-a-half years as a degree graduate and four years if you’re joining us from Accounting Technicians.

I’ve heard that for Chartered Accountants Ireland, you need a training contract. Do I have to enter into one?

You don’t have to enter into a training contract and there is no training contract for students under our Flexible Route. You need to get the same amount and type of experience as all Chartered Accountancy students, but you are free to choose your employer and job sector, and modify these as your circumstances change. Your experience does not have to be continuous, and you can gain your experience in more than one company. If you qualify through the Flexible Route, your Chartered qualification will be recognised the same as someone who went through a training contract – there is no distinction made.

My manager has questions about their role in helping me get my experience

You will need a mentor to supervise your experience. This can be a Chartered Accountants Ireland member or any IFAC accountant that works with you. And if you don’t have access to a mentor where you work, we can assign you someone. If your manager or HR department have questions, we’ll be happy to talk to them about any aspect of this, and we’ve also got information for employers on our website.

Can I get credit for prior work experience?

Yes, we will consider recognition of relevant prior work experience on a case-by-case basis. Naturally, certain conditions will apply and it will be necessary to detail your experience, and have it verified by your employer(s). It is important to note that prior experience must be comparable to the kind of experience that will be undertaken during your training.

You can apply to have your prior experience checked after you have enrolled on the programme.

My current role can’t provide me with any accounting experience of the kind I’ll need to generate in order to qualify – any ideas?

That’s not a problem. The Flexible Route allows you to start your professional education, and then gain your relevant accounting experience at a later date. You don’t have to be working in an accountancy environment to enrol with us and start your exams. In order to qualify, you’ll need to record the same amount of practical experience as every other Chartered student. Chances are that once you start your Chartered studies you’re going to be an attractive prospect for employers and many students quickly migrate to accounting-related roles. These roles are not restricted to the finance industry either – there are Chartered trainees in IT, telecoms, manufacturing, retail, and engineering companies.

Our Training Support Unit are on hand to assist you with any queries you have in this area, and can work with you (and your company) to find a solution to any problems you have around gaining experience.

I’ve heard that studying Chartered Accountancy is all about audit but I don’t work in audit, and I don’t see my future career involving audit.

That’s no problem. While students will need to exhibit experience across financial reporting and regular exposure to books of accounts, there is no specific requirement to generate audit experience. Chartered Business Route students may not be working in audit, and they won’t be required to do so either.

Many of our members often remark that an ability to understand audit and speak as an equal with external auditors sets them apart in the profession and has given them a real competitive edge. On that basis, you’ll have exposure to audit through your education, and you can choose the audit elective in your FAE.

Pleas get in touch by email if you have any questions.

Common FAQs about studying Chartered Accountancy

(?)

18/04/2018 09:11:11

Getting professional experience as a Chartered student

It’s the unique combination of education and practical experience that makes the Chartered qualification different. If you’re thinking about studying with us this year, but are unsure about how you’d go about getting the experience you need, we’ve put together some answers to the most frequently asked questions.

How much practical experience do I need to get to qualify as a Chartered Accountant?

This depends on your starting position. You will need three years if you are an accredited masters or postgraduate student, three-and-a-half years as a degree graduate and four years if you’re joining us from Accounting Technicians.

I’ve heard that for Chartered Accountants Ireland, you need a training contract. Do I have to enter into one?

You don’t have to enter into a training contract and there is no training contract for students under our Flexible Route. You need to get the same amount and type of experience as all Chartered Accountancy students, but you are free to choose your employer and job sector, and modify these as your circumstances change. Your experience does not have to be continuous, and you can gain your experience in more than one company. If you qualify through the Flexible Route, your Chartered qualification will be recognised the same as someone who went through a training contract – there is no distinction made.

My manager has questions about their role in helping me get my experience

You will need a mentor to supervise your experience. This can be a Chartered Accountants Ireland member or any IFAC accountant that works with you. And if you don’t have access to a mentor where you work, we can assign you someone. If your manager or HR department have questions, we’ll be happy to talk to them about any aspect of this, and we’ve also got information for employers on our website.

Can I get credit for prior work experience?

Yes, we will consider recognition of relevant prior work experience on a case-by-case basis. Naturally, certain conditions will apply and it will be necessary to detail your experience, and have it verified by your employer(s). It is important to note that prior experience must be comparable to the kind of experience that will be undertaken during your training.

You can apply to have your prior experience checked after you have enrolled on the programme.

My current role can’t provide me with any accounting experience of the kind I’ll need to generate in order to qualify – any ideas?

That’s not a problem. The Flexible Route allows you to start your professional education, and then gain your relevant accounting experience at a later date. You don’t have to be working in an accountancy environment to enrol with us and start your exams. In order to qualify, you’ll need to record the same amount of practical experience as every other Chartered student. Chances are that once you start your Chartered studies you’re going to be an attractive prospect for employers and many students quickly migrate to accounting-related roles. These roles are not restricted to the finance industry either – there are Chartered trainees in IT, telecoms, manufacturing, retail, and engineering companies.

Our Training Support Unit are on hand to assist you with any queries you have in this area, and can work with you (and your company) to find a solution to any problems you have around gaining experience.

I’ve heard that studying Chartered Accountancy is all about audit but I don’t work in audit, and I don’t see my future career involving audit.

That’s no problem. While students will need to exhibit experience across financial reporting and regular exposure to books of accounts, there is no specific requirement to generate audit experience. Chartered Business Route students may not be working in audit, and they won’t be required to do so either.

Many of our members often remark that an ability to understand audit and speak as an equal with external auditors sets them apart in the profession and has given them a real competitive edge. On that basis, you’ll have exposure to audit through your education, and you can choose the audit elective in your FAE.

Pleas get in touch by email if you have any questions.

If you like the sound of a well-rewarded, challenging career in business with an internationally recognised, premium qualification, your next question may be: am I able to start? This is one of the most common questions we’re asked, so here are some details.

Q: Who is able to start?

A: People are often surprised to learn that all graduates are eligible to start studying with Chartered Accountants Ireland, not just those with a degree with an accounting slant. All graduates, post-graduates, Accounting Technicians, and members of other accountancy bodies can start on the path to become a Chartered Accountant. The only difference between people who have an accountancy degree and those from other academic backgrounds is the number of exams you’ll be asked to sit. In this regard, the approach of Chartered Accountants Ireland is no different to other professional accountancy bodies.

Graduates and members of bodies from outside Ireland are also welcome to join the programme – once you fulfil the entry requirements. You must be based on the island of Ireland for the duration of the programme.

Q: I’ve never studied accountancy before – ever!

A: That’s ok, you don’t need any previous accountancy knowledge as we’ll start from the beginning with the basics. Each year a significant number of new students join us from a wide range of disciplines (arts, science, IT, law, engineering etc.) and consistently do very well in exams.

From our experience, employers are always keen to interview such candidates as they bring diverse skills and knowledge to their training firms and studies. The starting point for non-business grads is CAP1 (Chartered Accountants Proficiency 1 – first year exams) which provides the essential building blocks for more advanced study levels.

Q: How do students from non-accounting backgrounds tend to do in Chartered exams?

A: The results of our CAP1 exams show that trainees from non-accounting backgrounds can achieve very successful results. Over the years students have come from non-accounting degrees including engineering, arts and science. So don’t let your degree subject hold you back!

Q: How can I find out if my course is recognised?

A: All holders of degrees from recognised institutions are eligible for entry onto the CAP1 programme. To see if your course is accredited, have a look at the list of degrees here.

Q: What is the deadline for checking if I’m able to start?

A: It’s in your best interest to clear the applications process early and we’re advising that people check their status as soon as possible. This year places will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis and places are genuinely limited for this year’s Chartered intake. Courses start early October in study centres around the island or via a distance learning option.

The final date for applying to Chartered Accountants Ireland is 1 September. If you are awaiting exam results or have another reason why your application will take place after this date, please contact us and we will assist you.

Q: What about checking if I can claim exemptions from some Chartered exams?

A: It’s easy to check exemptions with Chartered Accountants Ireland and what’s more, you’re not committing to anything at this stage. No payment is required as it’s a completely free service. You can apply for exemptions online and free of charge.

A minimum of a 2.ii honours degree is required to claim exemptions. All exemptions granted from CAP1 are offered on the understanding that the students awarded them have taken the relevant options in their degree programme and have, at a minimum, met the requirements as set out on the website. Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) students can also claim exemptions.

Degrees awarded over 10 years ago will not qualify for exemptions.

Q: Where do I get proof of my college degree?

A: Contact the records office of your college/university, or Accounting Technicians Ireland directly. We’ll need written and original proof in the post, not a scan or photocopy. Your college should be able to issue this confirmation within a couple of weeks. Then you just need to send this in the post with a completed enrolment form.

Q: How do I get started?

A: Simply create an account on our website, and you’ll get access to the applications portal.

Please get in touch by email if you have any questions.

Am I able to start?

(?)

18/04/2018 09:11:26

If you like the sound of a well-rewarded, challenging career in business with an internationally recognised, premium qualification, your next question may be: am I able to start? This is one of the most common questions we’re asked, so here are some details.

Q: Who is able to start?

A: People are often surprised to learn that all graduates are eligible to start studying with Chartered Accountants Ireland, not just those with a degree with an accounting slant. All graduates, post-graduates, Accounting Technicians, and members of other accountancy bodies can start on the path to become a Chartered Accountant. The only difference between people who have an accountancy degree and those from other academic backgrounds is the number of exams you’ll be asked to sit. In this regard, the approach of Chartered Accountants Ireland is no different to other professional accountancy bodies.

Graduates and members of bodies from outside Ireland are also welcome to join the programme – once you fulfil the entry requirements. You must be based on the island of Ireland for the duration of the programme.

Q: I’ve never studied accountancy before – ever!

A: That’s ok, you don’t need any previous accountancy knowledge as we’ll start from the beginning with the basics. Each year a significant number of new students join us from a wide range of disciplines (arts, science, IT, law, engineering etc.) and consistently do very well in exams.

From our experience, employers are always keen to interview such candidates as they bring diverse skills and knowledge to their training firms and studies. The starting point for non-business grads is CAP1 (Chartered Accountants Proficiency 1 – first year exams) which provides the essential building blocks for more advanced study levels.

Q: How do students from non-accounting backgrounds tend to do in Chartered exams?

A: The results of our CAP1 exams show that trainees from non-accounting backgrounds can achieve very successful results. Over the years students have come from non-accounting degrees including engineering, arts and science. So don’t let your degree subject hold you back!

Q: How can I find out if my course is recognised?

A: All holders of degrees from recognised institutions are eligible for entry onto the CAP1 programme. To see if your course is accredited, have a look at the list of degrees here.

Q: What is the deadline for checking if I’m able to start?

A: It’s in your best interest to clear the applications process early and we’re advising that people check their status as soon as possible. This year places will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis and places are genuinely limited for this year’s Chartered intake. Courses start early October in study centres around the island or via a distance learning option.

The final date for applying to Chartered Accountants Ireland is 1 September. If you are awaiting exam results or have another reason why your application will take place after this date, please contact us and we will assist you.

Q: What about checking if I can claim exemptions from some Chartered exams?

A: It’s easy to check exemptions with Chartered Accountants Ireland and what’s more, you’re not committing to anything at this stage. No payment is required as it’s a completely free service. You can apply for exemptions online and free of charge.

A minimum of a 2.ii honours degree is required to claim exemptions. All exemptions granted from CAP1 are offered on the understanding that the students awarded them have taken the relevant options in their degree programme and have, at a minimum, met the requirements as set out on the website. Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) students can also claim exemptions.

Degrees awarded over 10 years ago will not qualify for exemptions.

Q: Where do I get proof of my college degree?

A: Contact the records office of your college/university, or Accounting Technicians Ireland directly. We’ll need written and original proof in the post, not a scan or photocopy. Your college should be able to issue this confirmation within a couple of weeks. Then you just need to send this in the post with a completed enrolment form.

Q: How do I get started?

A: Simply create an account on our website, and you’ll get access to the applications portal.

Please get in touch by email if you have any questions.

Chartered Accountants Ireland was established in 1888 as an all-island body, and has a strong presence in Northern Ireland, with 3,700 members and 1,100 students based in NI. Training is delivered from our Belfast centre on Linenhall St, with NI tax and NI Law taught to students in the area.

Here, we share some stories from students and members in Northern Ireland – their experience studying and working as Chartered Accountants.

1. Judith Shields PKF FPM Accountants LLP and formerly Chartered Accountants Ireland Student Society. Judith Shields is a trainee in the Corporate Rescue and Recovery Department of PKF FPM Accountants LLP in Belfast, and was also the 2013/14 chairperson of the Chartered Accountants Ireland Student Society (CASSI).

“I came to Chartered Accountancy from quite a different angle, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University, and only afterwards turned towards a career in business. PKF FPM is a medium size practice with 8 partners and offices in Newry, Belfast, Dungannon and Dundalk. Training in a smaller practice gives a very rounded experience – you get to deal with clients on many different kinds of projects, and interact directly with the senior partners, which is great for really understanding tax, audit and accountancy.

I’m also involved with CASSI, the student society, which represents the views of students in careers and education matters. With CASSI, we can provide practical support to students as they go through the training. Of course there’s a social aspect too, and it’s a great way to network with trainees from other firms and businesses.”

2. Read Claire Stewart’s story in the Ulster Star Online, Claire began with a degree in Business and Computing for there she qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2009, she is now running her own practice.

3. Dawn Johnston is Director at Deloitte LLP in Belfast and is heavily involved with Chartered Accountants Ireland and the Ulster Society. Dawn spoke to Spreadsheet, the magazine of the Ulster Society, about her career to date, her interest in how we develop new Chartered Accountants.

“I started in the Audit Department while working though my professional exams and I loved the work from the start. I enjoyed working in a team, going out to different offices, seeing the big picture behind each business and being given responsibility early on in my career. I felt – and I still feel – that there is a tremendous privilege in being an auditor. We get incredible access to the business and deal with all areas, whether it’s the sales director, production manager or managing director.

4. Keith Scott, Northern Ireland Water’s Business Performance Manager. Keith studied a non-business degree; he then took a conversion course at University of Ulster in Jordanstown before starting his training contract with ASM Accountancy practice in Belfast.

“I decided to train as a Chartered Accountant with ASM, a mid-sized practice in Belfast. This provided a broad exposure to the audit of private and public sector organisations, along with experience in taxation and economic appraisals” Interested in finding out more? Drop us an email today with any questions,

Northern Ireland’s best business qualification – Chartered Accountancy

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01/05/2018 13:53:48