ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the largest and fastest-growing global professional accountancy body with 571,000 students and members in 170 countries.   ACCA has over 20,000 students and members in Ireland.

Every six minutes, somewhere in the world, someone registers as an ACCA student, proving that it is a qualification that is respected and sought after globally.  The flexibility of the ACCA Qualification means that it doesn’t limit you to one particular sector.  As an ACCA member, you will have the opportunity of working in any sector you choose, be it public practice, public sector, financial services or corporate sector, giving you access to a broad range of complex and interesting roles.  Flexible study options are also available as students can study part-time, full-time or by distance learning.

In order to qualify as an ACCA accountant, you will complete:

• 14 exams (nine of which are eligible for exemption)
• Relevant practical experience, with a minimum of three years
• a Professional Ethics module

Entry Route
ACCA’s flexible entry routes mean that students may pursue the qualification straight after school (once the entry requirements have been met).  Relevant degree holders from ACCA-accredited institutions may be exempted from all nine exams within the Fundamentals level and register directly at the Professional level.  Non-relevant degrees may also qualify for some exemptions. 

As part of ACCA’s innovative partnership with Oxford Brookes University, ACCA students are able to study for a BSc (Hons) in applied Accounting, while taking their ACCA examinations.  The degree can be the stepping stone between being unqualified and having the ACCA Qualification, providing you with a valuable skill set which will help you complete the ACCA Qualification and help you excel in the workplace.  Students will be entitled to the degree (awarded by Oxford Brookes University) on completing the Fundamentals level of the ACCA Qualification, the online Professional Ethics module and by demonstrating their research, analysis, interpersonal and IT skills by completing a Research and Analysis Project.

Students can register any time of the year with ACCA but there are exam entry deadlines that are as follows:

• 8 September (early exam entry date)
• 8 October (standard exam entry date)
• 8 November (late exam entry date)
   

Students can register online on www.accaglobal.com and must allow 3 weeks for their registration to be fully completed.

Over 30+ colleges provide tuition for ACCA throughout Ireland.  Please contact ACCA for full details of part-time, full-time and distance learning options.

For further information contact:
ACCA Ireland, 9 Leeson Park, Dublin 6.
Tel: 01-4988900
Email: info@ie.accaglobal.com
Web: www.acca.ie

ACCA’s Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) qualification provides the knowledge and understanding required to work in accounting support roles and is an ideal introduction to the world of accountancy.   The CAT qualification comprises a combination of exams and practical experience.  It is designed to equip you with all the necessary technical skills and knowledge required to fulfil an accounting role to technician level.  It also provides a firm foundation of knowledge and the opportunity to fast track towards becoming a professional ACCA accountant.  Students who have completed the CAT qualification may then transfer to the ACCA qualification and claim exemptions from the first three exams in the Professional qualification.

The Diploma in Accounting and Business is awarded on the completion of the exams Financial Accounting (FFA), Management Accounting (FMA), Accounting in Business (FAB) and Foundations in Professionalism online ethics module.
The Diploma is suitable for those aspiring to work or already working in the following types of roles:

• basic bookkeeping
• trainee accountant in a commercial organisation or accounting practice
• accounts clerk in public sector.

The Diploma in Accounting and Business is broadly equivalent to HND level/equivalent to the first year of a degree.

Progression onto the ACCA Qualification

Students who successfully complete the Diploma in Accounting and Business via Foundations in Accountancy can either:

• transfer to the ACCA Qualification and commence their studies at F4 onwards of the ACCA Qualification