Accounting & FinanceCuntasaíocht ┐Airgeadas

This is an excellent Accounting and Finance course which offers maximum exemptions available to a Level 8 graduate from the examinations of professional accountancy bodies including Chartered Accountants Ireland and ACCA as well as exemptions from CIMA, Irish Institute of Tax and CPA. 

No Leaving Certificate Accounting, Business or Economics subjects are required.  We start at an introductory level and we prepare you for the more complex concepts you will meet at a later stage.  As you progress through the course you build up credits and exemptions which are recognised nationally and internationally.

Work Placement Preparation

The department of Accountancy, Finance and Professional Studies prides itself on its industry links and its approach to supporting our students in the preparation and securing of employment.  Our students are supported in semester 6 of year 3 of the course, through a formal module, 'Professional Communication and Work Preparation', to develop their CV's, enhance their linked in profiles and perfect their interviewing skills with the aim of securing a summer internship in advance of commencing year 4.  Many students secure a Graduate Trainee Accounting Contracts through their summer internships, meaning they secure their role in advance of commencing year 4 of their studies, leaving them free to concentrate solely on their academics in their final year.

Professional Accreditation

Graduates of the Level 8 Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Accounting and Finance obtain full exemption from CA Proficiency 1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland; 9  exemptions from ACCA; 9 exemptions  from  CIMA; 10  exemptions  from CPA; and Group 2 exemption for Part 1 of the Irish Taxation Institute. All exemptions are subject to performance in specific modules.

This course is designed in pillars with the core disciplinary pillars being: 'Financial Accounting and Reporting' which commences with Financial Accounting and builds to Advanced International Financial Reporting; 'Decision Making and Risk Analysis' consists of modules around Maths, Management Accounting and Auditing and Assurance; 'Economics and Finance’ commences with Economics and goes on to includes Investment and Financial Management and International Corporate Finance; and the final core disciplinary pillar is in ‘Law and Tax’. The quality of these pillars are proven through the course's impressive exemptions received from professional bodies. 

These pillars are complimented by two further pillars in 'IT and Data Management' and  'Business Management & Communications'. Along with obtaining skills on accounting packages students have the opportunity to obtain Microsoft Professional Accreditation.  The course is complimented with a Professional Communication & Work Place Preparation module. This provides the students with broader professional communication skills through detailed CV and ‘linked in’ preparation and simulated professional mock interviews. 

This module is also supported by a series of guest speakers from the Professional bodies, firms and Industry including: CAI; ACCA; Grant Thornton; Crowe Horwath; BDO; Barden Recruitment; AccountancySchool.ie; Hayden Brown Chartered Accountants; Cooney Carey; ITI; CIMA; & CPA. The opportunities afforded to the students in meeting these guest speakers is very valuable in building their professional network and career opportunities.

Year 2

Applicants who wish to apply for advanced entry to Year 2 must provide evidence that they have met the learning outcomes for Year 1 through previous study at level 6, 7, 8 or equivalent. In certain cases, those who hold a QQI FET/FETAC level 6 qualification, or who have other relevant educational and/or work experience equivalent to Year 1 of an undergraduate course, maybe considered for advanced entry. 

Year 3

Applicants who wish to apply for advanced entry to Year 3 must provide evidence that they have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2 through previous study at level 6, 7, 8 or equivalent. 

Specifically applications are welcomed from those who have studied ATI Diploma or ACCA qualification where the qualification is an NFQ Level 6 Higher Certificate equivalent.

A career in Accounting & Finance can offer you a strategic role in the management and development of an organisation. The career opportunities are broad ranging, interesting and dynamic. A career in Accounting and Finance is considered financially attractive, recession proof and a passport to travel globally. 

While many go on to work in practice or in core financial reporting roles, the majority of accountants work in industry, many as auditors, tax consultants and management consultants.  Graduates of this course also enjoy rewarding careers in teaching, banking, finance and charities as well as public sector roles.  Other graduates have pursued further post graduate education before taking up employment.

Advanced Entry applications are accepted to this course. For further information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. A full list of courses open for Advanced Entry are listed on the CAO website.

Small classes, excellent lecturers and a well-balanced course structure combine to create a high-quality learning environment delivering content relevant to professional employer demands. Lecturers are extremely approachable and supportive, which fosters an environment in which students can reach their full potential and accelerate their professional career. I would highly recommend the course to all those who are interested in accounting and aiming to undertake professional accounting exams.

This course prepares each individual student for the workplace, by giving particular attention to the skills that they would need to become a successful accountant. The lecturers are approachable and take time out of their day to help any students with any queries they may have. The content of the course aligns with the professional accounting bodies and in turn this gives a greater degree of preparation than most other accounting courses.

At final year level, the lecturers are involved in preparing every student for the workplace before they complete the course in May, and are always on hand to offer advice when needed.

On successful completion you may progress to the professional examinations of ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA and ITI. Alternatively you may progress to a masters course in Accounting and Finance.