Accounting Technician

I have been asked many times what does an Accounting Technician do? Firstly, I have the state that the IATI qualification is very well recognised at this stage and is sought after by employers as a measurement of a potential employees skill and dedication.  The course is a two year course and we offer the course on a part-time basis from our Wexford centre. Hopefully this article will help explain the role…

Accounting technicians also known in some instances as Finance Technician, assist professional accountants by collecting, checking and analysing financial information on their behalf. They can work in either the public or private sector.

Work Activities

Accounting Technicians are involved in the day-to-day practical work of accountancy, including the preparation of information and accounts and the interpretation of computer information. Accounting Technicians are employed both by large industrial and commercial companies and firms of accountants in public practice.

The Accounting Technician works in all branches of accountancy jobs such as an audit or credit controller assistant, bookkeeper, payroll assistant, income supervisor or accounts manager. They might do financial accounting and calculate sales profits, stock value, wages and salaries. They may also carry out auditing, check financial records, examine expenses and look at tax returns.

An Accounting Technician is not a qualified accountant. Men and women who qualify as Accounting Technicians should be seen as persons who provide support services for management in their organisations. If they wish to, and have the ability to do so, they may progress to professional status and in due course become members of one of the senior accounting bodies.

Personal Qualities and Skills

As an accounting technician you must work accurately and methodically with figures. You must also be capable of compiling and analysing information. This includes writing reports.

Experienced technicians are expected to show initiative and may be in charge of a team of junior technicians and clerical staff.

Entry Routes and Training

There are many ways to qualify as an accounting technician depending on your present circumstances. For example, if you are already working you can register as a student with the Institute of Accounting Technicians in Ireland (IATI) and take your exams using the services of one of the wide-range of part-time courses available. To become a member of the IATI, you must have passed all of the institute exams; successfully completed practical computers based accounts assignment using TAS books or Sage 50 accounts and have 2 years work experience.

If you have not yet started work you can enrol on a full-time programme leading to the Institute’s exams. If you are studying full-time for a nationally recognised qualification, such as NCEA, NFQ, QCA or BTEC, you can register with the Institute as a student when you have completed your course. You may be eligible for exemption from certain examination subjects.

You can study part-time or full-time at any one of over 70 education centres around the country, or you can take the technician qualification by distance learning.

The IATI qualification has three parts:

Foundation level:
Financial Accounting 1, Taxation 1, Law & Ethics,  Management Accounting. Every foundation year student must register with IATI as well as the college they wish to attend.

Admission level:
Financial Accounting 2, Taxation 2, Law & Ethics, Integrated Accounting Systems. 

2 years relevant work experience.

Students who hold the IATI Accounting Technician qualification and who are interested in further study may avail of exemptions from the following Professional Bodies - A.C.C.A., C.I.M.A. & C.P.A.

A list of institutions offering the Accounting Technicians Programme can be obtained from IATI.

Genesis Business College has offered the IATI Accounting  Technician course for the past 6 years on a part-time basis .The course starts in September of each year and finishes in April.  In our view it is a very worthwhile qualification and the course fills very quickly every year. Genesis Business College students achieve excellent grades in the IATI examinations every year and last year 2008 was no exception with  the majority of Foundation and Admission level students earning high grades across all subjects well ahead of the National averages. In addition, Emma Murphy, awarded 2nd place overall in Ireland for the Year Two IATI Examinations while Michelle Bradshaw, achieved Highest Grade in Ireland in IATI Company Law Exam, Year 2. In addition, a number of students achieved ranking in the top 10% in the Country.  This is a fantastic achievement and well done to all concerned.. For further details on the course, checkout www.genesisbusinesscollege.net.