Organisation Profile - Certified Public Accountants Ireland

Becoming a CPA is more than being an accountant. Having the CPA qualification leads to a long rewarding career, one that allows you to simultaneously have a life outside of work. The all-important work life balance!

CPAs can be found in every sector, from healthcare, financial services, IT and education, to tech and gaming. And they are not simply crunching numbers either – holding  diverse roles including: 

€23 – €27k average salary for a Trainee Accountant

€40 – €50k average salary for a newly Qualified Accountant

€70 – €80k average salary for experienced Qualified Accountant

CPA Ireland offers a JobSearch facility, with jobs for part qualified and qualified accountants throughout Ireland.

CPA Ireland also offers an Approved Employer Directory, where you can find a complete list of over 160 Approved Employers around the country.

Typical accounting graduate career path with CPA – Industry Progression Path

• CEO
• Financial Director
• Financial Controller
• Assistant Financial Controller
• Assistant Accountant
• Accountant Assistant
• Accounts Payable/Receivable (Specialist)
• Accounts Clerk

Typical accounting graduate career path with CPA – Practice Progression Path

• Practice Partner or your own specialist practice
• Practice Account Manager
• Qualified Accountant (Practice Specialist)
• Audit Supervisor
• Audit Assistant
• Trainee Accountant

The CPA Accounts Executive Traineeship is a one-year full-time academic programme followed by a three-month training contract, in an accounting practice or an accounts department, for ambitious school leavers wishing to pursue a career as a professional accountant. On completion, students can progress to further accounting studies with CPA Ireland on a part-time basis, supplemented by three years supervised, practical training in a work environment in order to become a fully qualified accountant. The programme will be rolled out on a national scale in September 2016. Download a brochure here. 

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The CPA programme comprises 15 examinations, made up of a formation level and a professional level, and a fully integrated practical experience requirement. Your entry point into the CPA qualification will be determined by an individual assessment of your prior education.

Students must obtain 3 years relevant supervised training and complete all examinations (excluding any exemptions) to apply for CPA membership. Students are also required to submit a Training Record on an annual basis.

There are a number of different routes into the CPA qualification. Many students complete their Leaving Certificate and go on to do a degree in Accounting and Finance or Business Studies in college and then study for their professional accountancy qualification.

But what if you don’t want to go to college? You can start the CPA qualification when you complete the Leaving Certificate. Other students join us from international accountancy bodies with which we are associated, or from other professional accountancy organisations. 

You do not need any previous experience in accountancy to begin your CPA studies. 

Approximately 40% of CPA Ireland students come directly from an Accounting Technician background. ATI Graduates are exempt from all subjects at Formation 1 and are exempt from Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Taxation at Formation 2. This means ATI students are only a few steps away from their career as a qualified CPA.

Mature Students

CPA is popular with mature students due to its extremely flexible learning options. Students can complete their academic studies while working simultaneously, tailoring an education that suits them.

CPA Accounts Executive Traineeship

We now offer a fantastic alternative to the CAO for ambitious school leavers. This fully funded one academic year programme followed by a three-month training contract is ideal for ambitious school leavers wishing to pursue a career as a professional accountant. On completion, students can progress to further accounting studies with CPA Ireland on a part-time basis, supplemented by three years supervised, practical training in a work environment in order to become a fully qualified accountant. Click here to download a brochure. 

CPA graduates will gain the following skills:

CPA Certificate in Business & Accounting

• Management in Organisations
• Accounting
• Business Law & Professional Ethics
• Economics & Business Planning

Formation 2:

• Financial Accounting
• Taxation
• Information Systems
• Management Accounting

Professional 1

• Corporate Reporting
• Auditing
• Managerial Finance
• Corporate Laws and Governance

Professional 2

• Strategy Leadership (mandatory)
• Advanced Corporate Reporting (mandatory)
• Strategic Corporate Finance (elective)
• Strategic Performance Management (elective)
• Advanced Taxation (elective)
• Audit Practice & Assurance Services (elective)

CPA students train and work in various industries and practices across the country, from those in IT and media to financial institutions and family practices. 

No CAO Points Needed for a Career in Accountancy

School leavers can bypass college and the CAO points system and go directly to study CPA and begin their career as a professional accountant. Students can work and train simultaneously, allowing them to earn money and complete their training while they pursue their qualification.

Many students complete their Leaving Certificate and go on to do a degree in Accounting and Finance or Business Studies in college and then study for their professional accountancy qualification. However as CPA Ireland recognises that college is not a viable option for everyone, we provide a professional accountancy qualification that is open to school leavers once they complete their Leaving Certificate. 

CPA Accounts Executive Traineeship

We now offer a fantastic alternative to the CAO for ambitious school leavers. This fully funded one academic year programme followed by a three-month training contract is ideal for ambitious school leavers wishing to pursue a career as a professional accountant. On completion, students can progress to further accounting studies with CPA Ireland on a part-time basis, supplemented by three years supervised, practical training in a work environment in order to become a fully qualified accountant. Click here to download a brochure. 

Have you been to college and now want to make the move into the world of accountancy?

Graduates from related degrees, such as accountancy, business or finance, can avail of generous exemptions when studying CPA. Non-relevant degree holders are also eligible and depending on the degree, may be entitled to exemptions.

CPA is popular with mature students due to its extremely flexible learning options. Students can complete their academic studies while working simultaneously, tailoring an education that suits them.