Becoming an accountant

reillyb74

I'm currently a student in UCD studying Engineering. I really want to become an accountant and obviously a chartered accountant would be the final goal. I'm wondering what are my options? I read on charteredaccountants.ie that there are three routes to becoming a chartered accountant:

The training requirement may be achieved in three ways:
Training in Practice
Training in Business
Elevation Programme

I am wondering which route I would be eligible for if any at all due to me never studying business, accounting etc. at Leaving Cert or college leveland how long it would take? I believe that it is a series of on the job training and evening classes. Also I am wondering would I be able to get into an accounting firm and train from there or would I even be eligible for that? Money is obviously a concern too and I'm wondering would the costs for exams and material etc. be covered or does that depend on the firm you decide to work with?

Any advice from any one who took either route would be greatly appreciated!

Daisy03

I am currently training in practice. The fact that you havent studied accounting shouldn't be a stumbling block if you have good exam results so far. The Big 4 regularly take on non business students. I think you would have a greater chance with the Big 4 than a smaller practice as they take on fewer people and generally would require a relevant background.

If you want to improve your chances you could do a course which will get you CAP 1 exemptions, for example, there is a diploma in accounting in DCU and DIT, I think. A firm may sponsor you as you do the course and pay your fees etc. You stay in college an extra year and then start the 3.5 year contract once the diploma is finished.

If you want to apply to the Big 4 they take applications in October every year (in what is known at the milkround) and its during this that you make it known that you would like to do the diploma.

As you are still in college it might help to try and organise a work placement over the summer as it would give you an insight into the job and help boost your CV with relevant experience.

If you work with one of the Big 4 your fees and books etc are all covered. If you fail and need to repeat an exam you must cover this yourself. Smaller firms will vary but I know a few people who have to pay their own fees. It can be expensive but all the info is on the chartered accountants website.

You are correct in saying that there are lectures in the evenings and weekends. The exams are CAP 1, CAP 2 and FAE.

I have no information on the elevation programme or working in industry but if you have any other questions I would be happy to help.

April O Neill

Daisy03 wrote: »

I am currently training in practice. The fact that you havent studied accounting shouldn't be a stumbling block if you have good exam results so far. The Big 4 regularly take on non business students. I think you would have a greater chance with the Big 4 than a smaller practice as they take on fewer people and generally would require a relevant background.

Yes, but be prepared to be able to explain well why you want to be an accountant but didn't study accounting or business in the LC, OP. The big 4 *will* grill you about that. And it's definitely easier for people who have at the very least relevant LC subjects than those who don't. Take it from someone who came up against this stumbling block, having not done business subjects for the LC and having done a biology degree. I'm currently doing a Pg Dip in accounting and even that didn't count for much!

*But* I think they love engineering grads.

fat and slow

hi I'm an engineer, I did the milk round, did 3 applications got 3 interviews and got offered 2 positions. prepare well for applications and interviews, go to the careers fair and meet the big 4, and go to their student presentations. Try and get good grades as well, try not to scrape a 2.1.