Accounting Technician

 

Accounting technicians are responsible for collecting, checking and analysing financial information. Their work may include:

• maintaining and checking financial records
• receiving and settling invoices from suppliers
• monitoring company expenses
• completing and submitting tax returns
• managing the staff payroll
• preparing company tax returns
• recording receipts and payments
• auditing (verifying an organisation’s accounts).

Technicians who work for a small company generally carry out a range of tasks. In a larger company they are likely to specialise in a particular area, such as audit or tax.

Accounting technicians usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. There are opportunities for part-time work and job sharing. Many organisations offer flexible working hours. Most are office based, although they may also visit clients.

Salaries range from approximately €18,000 up to €40,000 a year.

An accounting technician should:

• be good with figures
• be confident using computers
• have good communication skills, both spoken and written
• have an interest in finance
• enjoy working with people.

Accounting technicians are employed throughout Ireland in a wide variety of organisations, ranging from large multinational accountancy firms to small, local companies. The number of technicians is increasing.

School leavers in the Republic of Ireland should have a Leaving Certificate with pass grade in 5 Ordinary level subjects (including an O5 in English and either Maths or Accountancy), 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 Maths or Accountancy).

School leavers in Northern Ireland should have 1 A Level of 2 AS Levels with grades in English and at least on subject from Maths or Accountancy not lower than grade C at GCSE level.

Applicants who have successfully completed a nationally recognised qualification such as HETAC, FETAC in the Republic of Ireland or QCA, BTEC National Diploma in Northern Ireland may be eligible to enter and gain exemptions from certain exam subjects. Further information is available upon request.

On starting work, technicians are trained on the job by their employer. They may also study for an accounting technician qualification. The Association of Accounting Technicians and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants both offer technician qualifications.

Technicians may progress to positions such as finance officer, tax analyst or payroll manager. They may become self-employed and provide accountancy services to small organisations. Many accounting technicians study to become chartered accountants.

What is the work like?

Accounting technicians are responsible for collecting, checking and analysing financial information. The precise nature of their work depends on the size and type of organisation that employs them, but may include some of the following:

• maintaining and checking financial records
• receiving and settling invoices from suppliers
• monitoring company expenses
• completing and submitting tax returns
• managing the staff payroll
• preparing company tax returns
• recording receipts and payments
• auditing (verifying an organisation’s accounts)
• controlling budgets
• writing reports.

Technicians who work for a small company generally carry out a range of tasks. They may be the only employee trained and qualified to look after financial records, invoices and wages. In a larger company, they are likely to be part of a team that includes chartered accountants, other accounting technicians and general administrators. In this case they are likely to specialise in a particular area, such as audit or tax.

Accounting technicians use computers for most of their work. They work with spreadsheets, databases and word processing software. Increasingly, accounting technicians are also responsible for identifying how a company can improve its profits and reduce costs.

Hours and environment

Accounting technicians usually work from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. They may have to work beyond these hours during busy times or to meet deadlines. There are opportunities for part-time work and job sharing. Many organisations offer flexible working hours.

Most technicians are office based, although they may spend some time visiting clients.

Smart dress is usually expected.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live. Accounting technicians may have different job titles depending on the organisation they work for and their responsibilities.

• Salaries for jobs with an administrative focus, such as finance assistant or administrator are likely to range from around €18,000 to €22,000.
• Jobs with more responsibility, such as finance officer, are likely to offer a salary of between €24,000 and €32,000.
• Jobs with a management element, such as finance team leader or senior finance officer, may offer between €30,000 and €40,000.

Skills and personal qualities

An accounting technician should:

• be good with figures
• be confident using computers
• have good communication skills, both spoken and written
• be able to research and analyse information
• have good organisational skills
• be capable of working under pressure and meeting deadlines
• be trustworthy, have tact and be discreet when handling confidential information
• work well on their own and as part of a team
• be accurate and attentive to detail
• be good at solving problems.

Interests

It is important to:

• have an interest in finance
• enjoy detailed, methodical work.

Getting in

Accounting technicians are employed throughout the UK in a wide variety of organisations, ranging from large multinational accountancy firms to small, local companies. Employers include:

• commercial and industrial companies
• accountancy practices
• the Civil Service
• local government
• the HSE
• utility companies
• shops
• hotels
• charities and voluntary organisations.

Vacancies are advertised in local and national newspapers, and in the journals of the main accounting professional bodies. They are also advertised on the websites of specialist recruitment agencies.

Entry routes

School leavers in the Republic of Ireland should have a Leaving Certificate with pass grade in 5 Ordinary level subjects (including an O5 in English and either Maths or Accountancy), 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 Maths or Accountancy).

School leavers in Northern Ireland should have 1 A Level of 2 AS Levels with grades in English and at least on subject from Maths or Accountancy not lower than grade C at GCSE level.

Applicants who have successfully completed a nationally recognised qualification such as HETAC, FETAC in the Republic of Ireland or QCA, BTEC National Diploma in Northern Ireland may be eligible to enter and gain exemptions from certain exam subjects. Further information is available upon request.

Mature learners who have reached 21 years of age (by 1^st January of the year in which they wish to commence the course) but do not possess the minimum educational requirements, may still apply to do the course based on age and experience.

Training

The Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma for Accounting Technicians consists of two elements, which can be completed simultaneously or at different stages:

• Two year programme of study
• Two year work based learning

The Accounting Technicians Ireland qualification offers students a range of flexible study options. Depending on your circumstances, you can study full-time, part-time or on a correspondence basis, allowing you to work towards your professional qualification at a pace that suits your life.

 

Getting on

In smaller organisations, experienced accounting technicians may take on considerable responsibility. They may work with senior managers, reporting on how the business is performing and suggesting how to improve profits and performance.

Technicians may be able to progress to positions such as finance officer, tax analyst or payroll manager. An increasing number of technicians become self-employed, providing accountancy services to small organisations.

Many accounting technicians become chartered accountants. They do this by studying for the professional qualifications of a chartered accountancy body. The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy also offer qualifications that can help in career progression.

All the chartered bodies offer exemptions and fast-track routes for AAT and ACCA CAT qualified students.

It may be possible for qualified technicians to work abroad, as their qualifications are recognised internationally.

Further Information

www.accountingtechniciansireland.ie