Which diploma in Accounting?

tywy

I am planning to do one of the PDAs next year, either the DCU Professional Diploma in Accounting or the DIT Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting.

I'm wondering which is better. I live in Dublin 6 so DCU isn't exactly convenient but I'll manage to get out there if I have to.

Have any of you done a PDA or have friends who've done a PDA and heard which one's better. Money isn't an issue. I know the DCU one is far more expensive but I'm being sponsered or whatever.

Thanks!

chump

tywy wrote: »

I am planning to do one of the PDAs next year, either the DCU Professional Diploma in Accounting or the DIT Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting.

I'm wondering which is better. I live in Dublin 6 so DCU isn't exactly convenient but I'll manage to get out there if I have to.

Have any of you done a PDA or have friends who've done a PDA and heard which one's better. Money isn't an issue. I know the DCU one is far more expensive but I'm being sponsered or whatever.

Thanks!

i know ppl who have gone to each.
it doesn't matter a damn where you do it.
all that matters is exemptions

go dit, go cheap, go convenient

tywy

great! thanks!

x keo21

see you in dit im doing that diploma too:)

u2livecd

tywy wrote: »

I am planning to do one of the PDAs next year, either the DCU Professional Diploma in Accounting or the DIT Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting.

I'm wondering which is better. I live in Dublin 6 so DCU isn't exactly convenient but I'll manage to get out there if I have to.

Have any of you done a PDA or have friends who've done a PDA and heard which one's better. Money isn't an issue. I know the DCU one is far more expensive but I'm being sponsered or whatever.

Thanks!

To me doing a PDA is pointless, just get on with the ACA /ACCA exams

tywy

Not when you're an engineering graduate who didn't do accounting for the leaving...

I've been recommended to do the PDA by most people

ladystar66

I did the PDA in DIT, it was good, I also know ppl who did both and got offers from the big 4. I would go for the one which is most convenient. Good Luck!

dudara

I was sent out on graduate recruitment this year for my firm (a Big 4). We were briefed on possible questions and answers. We were told to recommend PDAs to people in situations like the OPs, so it seems that the big firms like them.

starla_pumpkin

Hey,

I am thinking of doing an Postgrad in DIT in Sept 2009, and I was wondering if anyone has done this course who would be able to tell me about the structure and what the optional modules are like?

Thanks,

Starla.

Spinnaker

An alternative is the ACCA Dip Financial Management.

Sort of pitched as upskilling for non-accounting managers. Offered at various business schools around Dublin. Of course it can be taken independently also. Part time. Tough enough going at times but very good IMO.

PM me if you'd like to know more about my experience.

SPin

defiantshrimp

Spinnaker wrote: »

An alternative is the ACCA Dip Financial Management.

I think the OP is looking to become a Chartered Accountant (ACA). The courses in DIT and DCU (and one the the University of Ulster) offer exemptions from the first stage of the ACA exams (CAP 1) and shorten the training contract by six months to three years. The ACCA Diploma you mention doesn't do that and isn't really an alternative for anyone looking to become a Chartered Accountant.

Spinnaker

It isnt reeally clear what OP is seeking to do just an alternative diploma but you make a good assumption for sure.

I'm not interested in full blown accountancy and for all readers never looked into exemptions the DIP FM might gain.

tywy

I was looking to do the PDA to get my exemptions... almost there now in DIT!

Slippers

The DIT website says there are three core subjects and six options.

Core:

Financial Accounting
Management Accounting
Taxation

Options:

Auditing
Business Information Systems
Business Law
Economics
Financial Management
Management Science

How many options do students take? Do they all give you the same ICAI exemptions?

CAP1 includes Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Taxation but it also includes Finance and Law, so does that mean that I have to do Financial Management and Business Law as my options to get full exemption from CAP1?

Do you have an idea how many people in the class already had contracts and were encouraged to do a PDA by their employer versus how many were doing it to improve their chances of getting a training contract?

tywy

Yeah you're right, we had to do Financial Management and Law for the exemptions.

You need to do 60 credits to get your diploma. Some subjects are worth more than others.

I don't know exactly how many people had contracts... I think about 30-40% of the class going in and then I'd say another 20-30% got offers in December. I'm not very good at judging though...

If you're thinking of doing a PDA without a contract this year, I'd think very hard about it because the firms are offering people money to take a year out and start their contract in September 12 months. This means they won't be hiring that many in the milkround in November...

Slippers

I think it's most likely I'll be starting in September 2010.
Good luck with your exams.

zamur

tywy wrote: »

I was looking to do the PDA to get my exemptions... almost there now in DIT!

Tywy or anyone else!

I have been offered a place on this Diploma, starting in September - haven't decided if ill accept or not yet. I was just wondering what you thought of it in general? I haven;t teh prospectus to hand so was wondering is it just over two semesters or is there a summer term also? - How many modules do you have to do each semester? In general how difficult did you find it?

Cheers!

tywy

It's done over 2 semesters, so I had this summer off.

The content isn't too hard, I did fine with attending lectures and a few weeks study coming up to the exams.

The course is alright, it gets you your exemptions. Naturally, some lecturers are better than others. I only did it because the firm I'm joining encouraged it because I'm coming from a non-accounting background.

Are you doing it yourself with a view to doing the Milkround in October?

zamur

Cheers for the reply!

Basically Ive just finished a masters and there's no hope of getting a job - esp with my undergrad!

I did the milkrounds last year basically cos the career guidance in college sed to! - got interviews in all of them, did one, made a mess, convinced myself that the recession wasnt as bad and that I'd get a job related to my undergrad/masters so I cancelled ALL of the other interviews! Lets say I made a slight mistake!!Plus I hadn't really a clue of the whole ACC secne - I had the bean counter view!Didn't know it actually involved so many other areas!

So now that Im slightly more aware of the ACC scene and jobless the options are do the dip in ACC or waste a year doing nothing! And its not even a year! From experience Sept-May FLIES!!

I suppose the view would be to do the milkrounds again - I know there's all the stories of no one is employing etc... but I've been in touch with a few companies and they are hiring! Just I suppose the criteria for getting in will be harder and the benefits worse!

Ianmicks

hi starla pumpkin , just wondering if you went ahead with the dip in dit? if so wud u recommend? thanks

thegaffer24

I did this course last year and I would recommend it, I think it gave me a good understanding of accounting and was helpful this year. If you keep on top of the work then its an easy enough year. Also you have the summer off so you can travel before work which is cool.

I thought the lecturers were good, all were approachable if you needed them for anything. Some subjects were more useful than others but overall I enjoyed it. I thought I got a good grounding in the main subjects and that the lectuerers knew their stuff.

If you have a training contract already, then it does exactly what the firms want you to get out of it. If you don't, plenty of people found jobs last year (myself included) so it is useful from that point of view.

Thought the class was mixed and most people got to know the majority of the class. There was good interaction between the class.

Galego

Hi,

A question for those who have just done this Diplomas in Accounting.

Could you please tell me if I could do this course in part-time or full time in the evening?

I can't go to classes in the mornings due to work.

tazamia

dudara wrote: »

I was sent out on graduate recruitment this year for my firm (a Big 4). We were briefed on possible questions and answers. We were told to recommend PDAs to people in situations like the OPs, so it seems that the big firms like them.

Does any one know if this is still the case? I am thinking of doing the DCU one starting in September.

Galego

tazamia wrote: »

Does any one know if this is still the case? I am thinking of doing the DCU one starting in September.

Are these Masters/ High Diplomas in Accounting meant to be taken before or after completing your ACCA, ACA or CPA?

backtothebooks

Galego wrote: »

Are these Masters/ High Diplomas in Accounting meant to be taken before or after completing your ACCA, ACA or CPA?

I think that generally it's most advantageous to take them before the professional exams as they provide you with generous exemptions.

Galego

backtothebooks wrote: »

I think that generally it's most advantageous to take them before the professional exams as they provide you with generous exemptions.

Thanks for the advise.

Are these Masters as tough (low pass rates) as the ACCA and ACA to complete? Are they generally passed within the 1 year full time/ 2 years part-time time frame?


How dedication and work do you have to put on them?

I am looking at few of them, perhaps go for the one at Independent Colleges. Does anyone have any experience on this one?

backtothebooks

Galego wrote: »

Thanks for the advise.

Are these Masters as tough (low pass rates) as the ACCA and ACA to complete? Are they generally passed within the 1 year full time/ 2 years part-time time frame?


How dedication and work do you have to put on them?

I am looking at few of them, perhaps go for the one at Independent Colleges. Does anyone have any experience on this one?

The professional exams would be considered much tougher than the diploma or even the masters in accounting. Usually you are looking at 1 year full time and 2 years part time and as with everything, yes, they do require dedication and a lot of work.
As for the Independent Colleges one that you refer to, I don't know anything about it - is it a diploma or a masters? The important thing if you're considering the professional exams down the line is whether there are exemptions available as a result of passing the degree/diploma.

Galego

backtothebooks wrote: »

The professional exams would be considered much tougher than the diploma or even the masters in accounting. Usually you are looking at 1 year full time and 2 years part time and as with everything, yes, they do require dedication and a lot of work.
As for the Independent Colleges one that you refer to, I don't know anything about it - is it a diploma or a masters? The important thing if you're considering the professional exams down the line is whether there are exemptions available as a result of passing the degree/diploma.

Thanks again for the reply.

The course which I am look at the moment is the Masters in Accounting at the Independent College. I am thinking of doing part-time in 2 years.

I was looking at the ACCA exmpetion site but Indepedent Colleges is not listed. I will have to email and find out about exemptions.

I couldn't find any Diploma in accounting which runs part-time. Is anyone aware of any?

May11

I'm in my final year of my structural engineering degree at the moment. I'm applying to the postgrads in DIT, DCU and NUI Maynooth. Depending on my thesis result there's a chance I may come out with a 2.2
Does anyone know what my chances would be of getting the postgrad with a 2.2? It's just that I haven't had the opportunity to speak with anyone who's done the accountancy dip.

Thanks!:)

Ocean88

Just want to give a heads up to those looking towards doing the PDA in DCU. 2/3 of the class failed the exams last year (a hand full passed the repeats to gain pass diplomas, the rest failed the course). This year the number looks to be higher. There is a noticeable dropout rate during the year. At €7500 it's not cheap for what you're getting into. Intended to be a conversion course (it's pretty tough going).

Amusing accounts of students who failed their semester one exams on consultation with their examiner were: Examiner:"I'd put money on it that you've never done accounting at third level"(for a course advertised as a conversion course for non accounting graduates, bit of a funny comment). Examiner:"Under a previous standard that would have gotten you the marks but not now" to a student 2% away from passing his paper.

Put major thought in before going for this course. A good qualification if you can put your head down and pass the exams. Other than that I'd rethink your options. With training contracts thin on the ground, wages down and overtime up, you would need to know just how committed to pursuing a career in accounting you are.

May11

Just want to give a heads up to those looking towards doing the PDA in DCU. 2/3 of the class failed the exams last year (a hand full passed the repeats to gain pass diplomas, the rest failed the course). This year the number looks to be higher. There is a noticeable dropout rate during the year. At €7500 it's not cheap for what you're getting into. Intended to be a conversion course (it's pretty tough going).

Amusing accounts of students who failed their semester one exams on consultation with their examiner were: Examiner:"I'd put money on it that you've never done accounting at third level"(for a course advertised as a conversion course for non accounting graduates, bit of a funny comment). Examiner:"Under a previous standard that would have gotten you the marks but not now" to a student 2% away from passing his paper.

Put major thought in before going for this course. A good qualification if you can put your head down and pass the exams. Other than that I'd rethink your options. With training contracts thin on the ground, wages down and overtime up, you would need to know just how committed to pursuing a career in accounting you are.



Thanks so much for the reply. I'm giving it serious thought at the minute and really appreciate the practical advice. I'm pretty certain accounting is what I want to do. I considered it during school but ended up choosing engineering. I've enjoyed the degree but I've decided it's not what I want to spend my life doing, so I think now would be the time to change direction. I also looked into economics dips but I think the accounting dip is better suited to me. I'm willing to put in the hours and I've passed some pretty difficult exams, and I've no doubt this will be as demanding if not more so.

I'm concerned about the entry requirement in DCU, I was told by the course director in DIT that they had only 2 students with a 2.2 primary degree in the class. I'm fairly confident of a 2.1 but not certain as my thesis isn't exactly going to plan. Would you have any idea what the chances of gaining entry onto the course would br like with a 2.2 in DCU?

Ocean88

You should be able to get into the course with a 2.2. It's not as hard to get into as the one in DIT from what I've heard (again price and pass rate may have something to do with this but can't say for sure). There are some graduates with 2.2 degrees not sure how many though, 2-3 engineers, about the same number of arts graduates, by and large the majority are business/economics graduates. Large class of over 70 starting off.

Best of luck

Count Duckula

I spoke to the course co-ordinators today of both the DIT postgraduate diploma in accounting and the DCU professional diploma in accounting.

DCU, whilst accepting 2.2s, require a 55 point average or higher, so if you've got a low 2.2 they'll reject you.

DIT don't seem to have that same boundary, but they'll only give places to those who got 2.2s if there are spots left after all of the 2.1s have been offered and accepted. So if you got a 2.2 and are looking at doing this then you'll not know whether you've got a place or not until June when everyone else has got their results. This also explains why there's only two people with 2.2s on a course of nearly fifty; because they get offered the places only if there are spaces left.

I hope this has been useful!

SyntheticPaddy

Sorry to bring this same discussion up again but I'm trying to consider the merits of the whole DCU vs DIT PDA.

I'm trying to figure out if the extra €4k in DCU is worth it. I'm equidistant to both so travel isn't a consideration. I know the course at DIT is well regarded but I see the main advantages of the DCU PDA:

1. Higher university ranking......regarded slightly higher by employers??
2. Higher quality of lecturers (?)
3. Smaller class size
4. Better careers service (?)

Ideally I'm looking at doing ACA afterwards, however if I went down the ACCA route, and according to the website, the DIT PDA gets additional exemptions in F6 tax and F8 Audit Vs DCU F7 Financial Reporting.


Any help/suggestions appreciated!

Posy

Is it correct that the PG Dip (the one you do if you haven't a previous clue about accounting! ) in DIT leaves you with ACCA exemptions from F1 to F6 after you complete the year?

Can any past students of this give an idea of what the timetable was like for this course, like would it have been Monday-Friday 9-5 type structure or more/less?
Thanks!

dubmad23

I have been looking at doing the PG Dip in DIT and was also wondering how people who have never done Accouting before have got on with it? Is DIT really easier than DCU?

I am currently working part-time in retail so am saving up to pay for it myself and it's not easy. I want to make sure that this is the right option for me so any advice of how difficult it is or the general pass rate in the class would be greatly appreciated.?

statss

Hi,

Could someone who has done this course recently post up the timetables for both semesters please? I am trying to see if I can fit the course around my current job.

Thanks

Posy

There's a sample timetable on the dcu website here.

ffoxylady

Hi every1,

Thinking of doin this course nxt sept (2013). Anyone started it this yr? Just wonderin what the timetable is like, course content etc?

bigmc23

ffoxylady wrote: »

Hi every1,

Thinking of doin this course nxt sept (2013). Anyone started it this yr? Just wonderin what the timetable is like, course content etc?

I started the course on monday up in jordanstown. Think you'll have to put the work in if you want to get through it. I've got a fair bit to do this weekend already. Lecturers are good and seem pretty helpful. Sem A modules are: tax, financial accounting, economics, business law, cost & quantitative methods. i really do think if your coming from a totally different background the course is a good idea

ffoxylady

bigmc23 wrote: »

I started the course on monday up in jordanstown. Think you'll have to put the work in if you want to get through it. I've got a fair bit to do this weekend already. Lecturers are good and seem pretty helpful. Sem A modules are: tax, financial accounting, economics, business law, cost & quantitative methods. i really do think if your coming from a totally different background the course is a good idea

yeh I'm prepared to put in the work to do this course, coming from an arts degree there is no career prospects out there with an arts degree anyways so im determined to up skill. If you dnt mind me askin, what is ur degree in? and what kind of work have you been given, do u have to do many essays and do u have to do a dissertation? ha sorry for all the questions:)

bigmc23

ffoxylady wrote: »

bigmc23 wrote: »

I started the course on monday up in jordanstown. Think you'll have to put the work in if you want to get through it. I've got a fair bit to do this weekend already. Lecturers are good and seem pretty helpful. Sem A modules are: tax, financial accounting, economics, business law, cost & quantitative methods. i really do think if your coming from a totally different background the course is a good idea

yeh I'm prepared to put in the work to do this course, coming from an arts degree there is no career prospects out there with an arts degree anyways so im determined to up skill. If you dnt mind me askin, what is ur degree in? and what kind of work have you been given, do u have to do many essays and do u have to do a dissertation? ha sorry for all the questions:)

I've got a building - related degree. theres people in the class that have done politics and sports science. its early days yet so were doing exercises from text books which will prepare us for the class tests and examinations that are in the not so distant future and we will have to do courseworks aswell. no dissertation you'd only have to do that if you went on to do a masters.

PunkFreud

bigmc23 wrote: »

I've got a building - related degree. theres people in the class that have done politics and sports science. its early days yet so were doing exercises from text books which will prepare us for the class tests and examinations that are in the not so distant future and we will have to do courseworks aswell. no dissertation you'd only have to do that if you went on to do a masters.

Hey, thanks for all the info. Are you doing the DCU or DIT?

ffoxylady

PunkFreud wrote: »

Hey, thanks for all the info. Are you doing the DCU or DIT?

Hi, bigmc23 isnt doin the DCU or DIT. s/he is doing the course in University of Ulster in Jordanstown. Are u thinking of doin the DCU or DIT course?

PunkFreud

ffoxylady wrote: »

Hi, bigmc23 isnt doin the DCU or DIT. s/he is doing the course in University of Ulster in Jordanstown. Are u thinking of doin the DCU or DIT course?

Cool, thanks (I didn't know where Jordanstown was ).

I'm planning to do the DCU course. I haven't done accountancy since Business Studies in Junior Cert (I'm doing a non-accounting degree) and I heard that they have a good intensive course to bring you up to speed.

I've been slightly put off by the decrease in the pass rate, but I can only presume that that's because of the change in structure of the ACA exams.

ffoxylady

PunkFreud wrote: »

Cool, thanks (I didn't know where Jordanstown was ).

I'm planning to do the DCU course. I haven't done accountancy since Business Studies in Junior Cert (I'm doing a non-accounting degree) and I heard that they have a good intensive course to bring you up to speed.

I've been slightly put off by the decrease in the pass rate, but I can only presume that that's because of the change in structure of the ACA exams.

same here I haven't done accountancy since junior cert either! I'm opting for the DIT course. From what i've researched the two are just as good as eachother but the DCU course is 2 grand more expensive! I've heard alot of companies send their employees to DIT to do the course if their primary degree isnt in accountancy.

ffoxylady

hey guys, did any1 start the DIT course this yr? If so, just wondering if ya can give us a heads up on what the course is lyk? whats ur timetable like etc? thanks

Santi101

Have a friend doing it - seems to think it's fairly manageable although obviously busy recently with the milkround. He has two full days in, two half days, and one off which is dependant on what modules you choose.

ffoxylady

Santi101 wrote: »

Have a friend doing it - seems to think it's fairly manageable although obviously busy recently with the milkround. He has two full days in, two half days, and one off which is dependant on what modules you choose.

cool thanks for the info:)

ElektroToad

I'm currently doing the PDA at DIT and I'm quite happy with it so far.

Based on the modules I selected my timetable looks like this:

Monday: 12-4pm
Tuesday: 11-4pm
Wednesday: 9-6pm
Thursday: Off
Friday: 9-12pm

As you can see its a pretty nice timetable but the course itself is quite intensive as your lecturers have to cover a lot of material in the 1 year. This basically means that you should try to stay on top of everything so you don't end up feeling left behind.

But having said that, if you are fully committed to the programme you should be fine because none of the material is particularly difficult.

Also, I wouldn't worry too much if you haven't done accounting before at third level. I did a Financial Accounting module during my undergrad but now 5 weeks into the PDA and it already feels like we've covered pretty much everything that I knew previously about the subject (that's how fast-paced the course can be!)

ElektroToad

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