Are CAP1/ CAP2/ Final Exam mandatory to become an Accountant

DS86

I'm just wondering if these 3 exams are mandatory to become an Accountant in Ireland, or are there other ways to become an Accountant in Ireland such as,

(a) Doing free intern work and getting work experience as well as a reference for future. And if it's possible to start out in Accountancy this way, can you work your way up regardless of the 3 exams?

(b) Can better paid jobs such as in the Big 4 be reached through work experience, or would one need to sit and pass all 3 exams - and if failed a job within those 4 exams would never be possible? Or can any job in Accounting be reached through work experience and working up, or are the 3 exams an absolute must?

myshirt

You can be an accountant in the morning if you want. With no exams. The term is not regulated.

If you want to work in the big four, or any reputable practice you need to do those 3 exams and become a Chartered Accountant, yes.

But you can also do ACCA, CPA, IIPA, ATI or bookkeeping courses. There are many areas of accounting.

DS86

myshirt wrote: »

You can be an accountant in the morning if you want. With no exams. The term is not regulated.

If you want to work in the big four, or any reputable practice you need to do those 3 exams and become a Chartered Accountant, yes.

But you can also do ACCA, CPA, IIPA, ATI or bookkeeping courses. There are many areas of accounting.

Are there other routes into the "Big 4" such as work experience and building up a profile within accounting?

Chattastrophe!

DS86 wrote: »

Are there other routes into the "Big 4" such as work experience and building up a profile within accounting?

You don't need those exams to get into the Big 4, however you're generally expected to do the exams while training there.

To have a chance at getting a position as a trainee there, you will need a good third-level qualification (not necessarily in a related field.) A good Leaving Cert (or equivalent) is usually important. Any relevant experience is a bonus.

smcgiff

DS86 wrote: »

Are there other routes into the "Big 4" such as work experience and building up a profile within accounting?

There's probably exceptions to most rules, but effectively no.

You'd need a good degree to get in the door.

DS86

smcgiff wrote: »

There's probably exceptions to most rules, but effectively no.

You'd need a good degree to get in the door.

By exceptions I meant (a) doing free intern work for a local accounting company and getting references/ referees for a future date and (b) having a Masters degree, even if it is not within accounting. Would that make a difference and allow me a good future career in accountancy?

smcgiff

Not in a big 4. The exception I can think of is if you are family.

Sorry, just noticed. Yes a masters in a non accounting area could get you in to big 4.

iwishihadaname

I work in advisory in the Big 4 and you have a choice of ACA, ACCA or CFA. But you have to do some qualification with them.

DS86

smcgiff wrote: »

Not in a big 4. The exception I can think of is if you are family.

Sorry, just noticed. Yes a masters in a non accounting area could get you in to big 4.

If I had say a HDip in Accounting and a Masters degree in a field which is not very vocational, say History - would I still be ok for an accountancy job?

Also does work experience ever make up for not having done the three exams, especially when it comes to the Big 4. Example, if you can show you're a good Accountant, and yet never sat the 3 exams, could you still make a good living?

Just one other question, should the profession be referred to as Accountancy or Accounting, or does it matter? I'm seeing the two terms spring up, and without consistency in many different places.

smcgiff

DS86 wrote: »

If I had say a HDip in Accounting and a Masters degree in a field which is not very vocational, say History - would I still be ok for an accountancy job?

Also does work experience ever make up for not having done the three exams, especially when it comes to the Big 4. Example, if you can show you're a good Accountant, and yet never sat the 3 exams, could you still make a good living?

Just one other question, should the profession be referred to as Accountancy or Accounting, or does it matter? I'm seeing the two terms spring up, and without consistency in many different places.

Hi,

Can I ask why you are asking? Is this just a general interest or are you doing some academic research?

I would say History would be one of the less useful masters when applying for Big 4.

Accounting and accountancy is a bit like Legal and Law.

DS86

smcgiff wrote: »

I would say History would be one of the less useful masters when applying for Big 4.

But would a HDip in Accounting make a difference, even if a Masters was in another subject?

I'm not sure why you would do an unrelated masters and an accounting h.dip after - why not do the h.dip now and get to work a year or more earlier?