Accounting Technician
As an Accounting Technician, you will learn how to practically apply skills in a wide range of finance roles, from accounts to financial controller and beyond.
| Award Name | Certificate - Irish Prof Body |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Accounting Technicians Ireland |
| NFQ Level | |
| Award Name | Diploma - Irish Prof Body |
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Accounting Technicians Ireland |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate - Irish Prof Body | Accounting Technicians Ireland | ||
| Diploma - Irish Prof Body | Accounting Technicians Ireland |
Duration
1 or 2 years full-time. 5 days per week. Morning Option Available. 25 contact hours.
Entry Requirements
• Leaving Certificate with pass grades in 5 Ordinary level subjects (including an O5 in English and either Mathematics or Accounting) OR
• Pass grades in 2 Ordinary level subjects together with 2 pass grades at Higher level (pass grades to include a minimum of an O5 in English and either Mathematics or Accounting).
• If you completed the LCA, then you will need to submit details of all credits awarded.
• If you are a mature student (aged 21 or over) and do not hold the Leaving Certificate, then you are welcome to apply. Each application will be assessed individually.
• You may be eligible for subject exemptions for previously attained relevant qualifications at the discretion of the ATI.
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
Accounting Technicians fill a wide range of positions including:
• Audit Assistant
• Credit Controller
• Payroll Administrator
• Tax Advisor
• Budgeting Analyst
• Accounts Manager
• Financial Controller
• Assistant Accountant
While the Accounting Technician qualification is in itself a passport to a rewarding career, many graduates continue their studies, to become fully qualified professional Accountants.
Progression
Graduates can progress, with exemptions, to higher professional accounting qualifications including CPA, ACCA, CIMA, ACA or gain advanced entry to other Business Degree programmes in Ireland including:
• BBS (Hons) in Accounting & Finance Technological University Dublin [Tallaght] - www.tudublin.ie (3rd year of a 4-year part-time programme or full-time programme.)
• BBS (Hons) Accounting Institute of Public Administration (3rd year of a 4-year part-time programme.)
Further information
Start Date: 14/09/2026.
Student Financial Support
The range of schemes and measures available to assist students in Further Education Colleges include the:
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)
Back To Education Allowance (BTEA)
Maintenance Grant Scheme
Fund For Students With Disabilities
Other Funding
PLC Bursary for Displaced Persons (Ukraine) Scheme 2023
www.studentfinance.ie provides comprehensive and user-friendly information on the range of financial support schemes and programmes available to full-time further and higher education students.
You can apply online. Click on the “Application Weblink” above. You will need to have your PPS number and an email address to complete the application.
At Dublin College Blackrock we offer the Year 1 Accounting Technician Certificate Course and the Year 2 Accounting Technician Diploma Course. Do you like working with numbers? Have you an eye for detail? Are you logical, methodical and a problem solver? As an Accounting Technician, you will learn how to practically apply these skills in a wide range of finance roles, from accounts to financial controller and beyond. You will be involved in the day-to-day practical work of accountancy and play a key operational role in producing reliable financial information. Opportunities exist throughout industry, commerce and in private accountancy practices for qualified Technicians.
What will I study?
• Prepare financial statements.
• Prepare financial reports and other management information.
• Compute tax liabilities for companies and individuals.
• Set up and manage systems for budgets, stock control, cost accounting, and cash reconciliations.
• Set up and manage credit control procedures.
• Use industry standard software (BrightPay and BrightBooks and Excel) to produce payroll and accounts.
Year 1: Certificate for Accounting Technicians
• Financial Accounting
• Business Law
• Business Management
• Taxation
• Microsoft Excel - Additional Certification
Year 2: Diploma for Accounting Technicians
• Advanced Financial Accounting
• Advanced Taxation
• Management Accounting
• Financial Data Management
Assessment and Certification
The Accounting Technician qualification is divided into two parts, each of which is a qualification in its own right. Students who successfully complete the four subjects in Year 1 will be awarded a Certificate for Accounting Technicians. Students who successfully complete Year 2 in addition to successfully completing experiential learning through two years full time employment (or the equivalent part-time) will be awarded a Diploma for Accounting Technicians.
• The course is certified by Accounting Technicians Ireland.
• Examinations take place in May.
• Learners who successfully complete year 1 will be awarded the Certificate for Accounting Technicians.
• To achieve the Diploma for Accounting Technicians, two years' work experience is required. Previous relevant work experience may be considered.
* Work-Practice Module Level 4 and Level 5
To obtain the Diploma for Accounting Technicians, in addition to successfully completing all Year 1 and Year 2 core study modules, learners must complete two work-practice modules and two years’ relevant work experience. This is to apply and consolidate learning within a workplace environment. If you are actively working in an accounting or finance related role you can begin engaging with the Work-Practice Module Level 4 as soon as you commence your studies. If you’re not currently in a role that would enable you to meet the work-practice requirements, this can be completed following study.
Dublin College Blackrock,
Main Street,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin,
A94 X383
t: +353 1 2889717
e: office@bfei.ie