PROSPECTUS 2017/ 2018 Your Accounting Career Starts Here
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PROSPECTUS 2017/ 2018 Your accounting career starts here We have NUMBERS in our DNA www.accountingtechniciansireland.ie CONTENTS About Accounting Technicians Ireland ................................ 04 Careers in accountancy........................................................ 07 Programme delivery............................................................ 13 Student support, exams and exemptions........................... 19 Entry requirements and registration.................................... 23 Fees and financial assistance............................................... 26 Membership, recruitment and career services.................... 29 List of partner colleges.......................................................... 36 How to register...................................................................... 38 DIPLOMA ATI x 2 years = The possibilities are infinite. About us Accounting Technicians Ireland is the leading professional Accounting Technicians body, with more than 10,000 members and students across the Island of Ireland. We promote the highest standards of excellence in education and training to our students and our members. Founded in 1983, Accounting Technicians Many employers see this as essential Ireland provides a nationally and when hiring. internationally recognised accounting qualification. Accounting Technicians Ireland is a partner body with Chartered Accountants Ireland and Over the last 34 years, it has confirmed an associate member of the International its position as the leading qualification for Federation of Accountants. Accounting Technicians on the Island of Ireland. Graduates can further progress their career in accounting by going on to study with Our graduates are employed in industry, Chartered Accountants Ireland, or a range commerce, private practice and the public of other professional accounting bodies and sector, at all levels of finance. higher education institutes. Our innovative qualification combines We provide our members with life-long professional examinations with practical support throughout their career as an work experience, to ensure our graduates accounting technician. bring real value to the jobs market. We welcome students and members Students develop skills in cutting-edge into a strong, island-wide Community of accounting software used by business today. Practice and provide them with CPD and strong networking opportunities via well- As qualified members of Accounting established District Societies. Technicians Ireland, graduates are entitled to use the respected and valued MIATI We have offices located in Dublin and Belfast designation after their name. and we have strong links with local college networks throughout the Island of Ireland. PAGE 4 | STUDENT PROSPECTUS Seven great reasons to choose Accounting Technicians Ireland Leading professional body for Accounting 1 Technicians on the Island of Ireland Leading provider of professional accounting 2 technician education Island-wide Community of Practice focused on career development through cutting 3 edge activities Wide range of Membership Services to 4 help develop your career Excellent Recruitment and Careers Services focused on expanding Accounting Technicians 5 jobs market Extensive network of college partners 6 throughout the Island of Ireland Strong links with professional accounting 7 bodies and higher education institutes The Accounting Technicians Ireland qualification gives a very strong foundation in accounting. It equips you for business life, allowing you to manage and run a business at national and international level. Mark Fagan, Head of Operations at Topcon Ireland & Northern Ireland PAGE 5 | STUDENT PROSPECTUS Our Numbers Speak for Themselves 1 Full-time 1983 We have more than 2 Part-time 70 COLLEGE 3 Online LOCATIONS in Ireland 4 Apprenticeship We were ESTABLISHED in 1983 over 70 95% 1 Full-time of our members are employed 2 Part-time We have more than 3 Online 10,000 MEMBERS and STUDENTS 4 Apprenticeship across the Island of Ireland over 70 We have 4 DISTRICT SOCIETIES 1 Full-timeThere was an 11% INCREASE in demand nationwide 2 Part-timefor Accounting Technicians last year 3 Online 4 Apprenticeship Our students can choose from 4 STUDY OPTIONS over 70 1 Full-time 1 Full-time 2 Part-time 3 Online 2 OurPart-time graduates enter the jobs market with 2 YEARS’ experience under their belt 4 Apprenticeship 3 Online PAGE 6 | STUDENT PROSPECTUS 4 Apprenticeship over 70 over 70 1 Full-time 2 Part-time 3 Online 4 Apprenticeship over 70 Careers in Divideraccountancy PAGE 7 | STUDENT PROSPECTUS What is an Accounting Technician? Accounting Technicians are qualified accounting professionals employed throughout all levels of finance across the public sector, industry, commerce and private accountancy practices. n Accounting Technicians are involved in the day- to-day practical work of accountancy and play a key operational role in producing reliable financial information. They can perform a wide range of finance roles, from accounts staff to financial controller and beyond. n They can work on their own or alongside professional accountants. 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. Accounting Technicians can perform Accounting Technicians can be employed financial roles associated with fully in a wide variety of sectors and industries trained accountants including: including: Financial Accounting and Budgeting Manufacturing Costing and Credit Control Local and central government Payroll Administration and Tax Returns The health service Senior Managerial Tasks Financial services including banking and insurance Auditing and Assurance Work Shared services provision Consulting All sectors of commercial industry Corporate Finance Private accountancy firms Tax Planning Leasing Insolvency Real estate Self-employment is another career option for qualified Accounting Technicians, and many of our members run their own successful accountancy practice. Many Accounting Technician graduates enrol in further study, using the qualification and the exemptions it brings as a stepping stone as they work towards becoming a fully qualified accountant. PAGE 8 | STUDENT PROSPECTUS Pathway to Success FULL MEMBERSHIP SECOND YEAR WORK EXPERIENCE DIPLOMA FOR (2 YEARS) ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS PRIOR LEARNING (WITHIN LAST 6 YEARS) FIRST YEAR CERTIFICATE FOR ACCOUNTING TECHNICIANS A-LEVELS LEAVING CERTIFICATE MATURE STUDENT The Qualification Whether you choose to study the Certificate or the Diploma for Accounting Technicians, our qualification will put you on thepathway to success in your accounting career. Both qualifications are designed to meet the strong and specific demand for qualified Accounting Technician professionals in all Irish sectors, and to support the continuing development of those already in employment. The syllabus Work-based learning Our syllabus has been carefully designed to equip Work-based learning outcomes are achieved via the graduates with an array of transferable business workplace. skills and a technical knowledge of finance and accountancy practice. Experience can also be gained at any time – before, during or after formal studies. Students must achieve Our student supports are updated every year to the learning outcomes of six mandatory and three reflect legislative and taxation change in both the elective units. Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This real and relevant experience adds to the strength You will develop a comprehensive understanding of of our qualification over other ‘class-only’ accounting the theory and techniques used by today’s accounting courses. technicians. All of your experience has to be signed off by a mentor If you progress to our Diploma, you’ll put that theory who can verify that you have achieved all of the into practice through work experience. associated learning outcomes. Who it’s for n Leaving Certificate or A-Level graduates who now wish to complete a professional qualification n Those who have completed Leaving Certificate/A-Levels in recent years but have not yet pursued a professional qualification n Mature students who would like to go on to further study but who don’t know how to take that first step n Students of Further Education courses in business or accounting who wish to progress to a professional qualification n Those who currently work or have previously worked in a finance role such as bookkeeping, general administration, payroll, accounting assistance etc., but have not received any formal training to date n Staff who hold a senior management or general management position and would like to gain a greater understanding of the accountancy process n The self-employed who would like to improve their business and financial management skills Ultimately the qualification increases employment opportunities for a broad range of accounting and finance roles and will enable progressive opportunities to senior financial management at a later stage of an Accounting Technician’s career. Moreover, it opens doors to further accounting studies via exemptions with professional bodies and higher education institutes. I’d recommend the Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma programme as it gives people a sense of what working in accounting and finance is like. It was really positive for me and gave me a self-confidence and inner pride that is one of the most valuable things I’ve taken into my career.