ATI are now accepting applications for the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship Programme 2026/2027
ATI is the leading professional body for Accounting Technicians on the Island of Ireland. With offices in Dublin and Belfast, and strong links with other professional bodies such as Chartered Accountants Ireland, the organisation supplies high-calibre Accounting Technician graduates to industry, practice and the public sector. Many progress to the highest levels in their field.
The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship aims to provide school-leavers and employees with a fast-track path to a career in accounting, which blends solid work experience with quality academic tuition.
Apprentices graduate as fully qualified Accounting Technicians, with the opportunity to progress to Level 9 studies with Chartered Accountants Ireland after just two years.
Key Facts
The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship is a two-year, work-based programme that enables the participant to earn while they learn.
- It is a new route to a career in professional accountancy for those who prefer practical training to a full-time college course.
- It also provides new options for employees who wish to work in a finance role.
- Apprentices graduate with the Diploma for Accounting Technicians, a nationally and internationally recognised qualification.
- Apprentices get paid at least €€27,593 a year and pay no tuition or exam fees.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age on or before 31st October in the year of entry.
- Applicants must have an O5 grade in Leaving Certificate English and Maths or Accounting at Ordinary Level to be considered for the apprenticeship. Leaving Certificate Accountancy is not a requirement.
- Apprentices commence with a two-year work contract, with salary paid by the employer. It is at the employer’s discretion to enhance the entry criteria for selection.
- Apprentices work at their employer’s office four days a week and attend classes at Blackrock on Tuesdays for the duration of studies
- Progress is monitored by mentors in both the workplace and the college.
- The apprenticeship caters to a growing trend among businesses looking to school-leavers to meet an increase in activity.
- Apprentices who successfully complete the programme may be eligible to progress to Chartered Accountants Ireland.
For further details of the Programme, please see the Apprenticeship Application Guide.
Apply on-line and nominate Dublin College Blackrock as your tuition Centre.
Is this course for you?
Do you like working with numbers? Have you an eye for detail? Are you logical, methodical and a problem solver? Why not earn while you learn with the Accounting Technician Apprenticeship programme?
On this programme, you will work with a local business or accounting practice four days a week, and engage in intensive study at Blackrock for one day a week. You will be trained ‘on-the-job’, in every aspect of the qualification, and will be closely mentored by a qualified Accounting Technician or Accountant. You will emerge from the programme after two years with a nationally and internationally recognised qualification, solid work experience and the opportunity to become a fully qualified Chartered Accountant within five years.
What will I study?
- Prepare financial statements.
- Prepare financial reports and other management information.
- Compute tax liabilities for companies and individuals.
- Set up and manage systems for budgets, stock control, cost accounting, and cash reconciliations.
- Set up and manage credit control procedures.
- Use industry standard software Brightbooks Accounts nd Payroll and Exel to prepare and manage accounts
Entry Requirements
- A minimum of 300 CAO points (or equivalent) with a pass grade in English, and Maths or Accounting.
- If you sat the Leaving Certificate more than 5 years ago, you should have a minimum of 300 CAO points (or equivalent) with a D3 in Ordinary Level and Maths or Accounting.
- If you do not have a pass in Leaving Certificate English or equivalent, then you must be able to supply evidence of competency in written and spoken English.
- PLC students or other previous qualification holders are eligible to apply if the qualification is in a different discipline and is an NFQ Level 5 or above.
- Applicants should have a flair for accounting and be able to commit to completing the programme syllabus while working in full-time employment over the two years.
Guidance and Support
On commencement, an induction programme will be hosted by the ATI Apprenticeship Team. You will be welcomed into the ATI student community and brought through the programme information.
Assessment and Certification
Examinations
For each module, exams will be conducted online. Training on the use of the exam platform will be delivered by ATI.
Appprentices will be entitled to a maximum of three weeks paid study leave, to include exam days.
All tuition and first attempt at exams is funded by SOLAS, the national agency for further education and training.
For any repeat exams, fees will be payable by the apprentice.
Work Based Assessments
Apprentices are required to submit work-based assessments in a number of modules as described in the ATI prospectus. Further information will be presented at induction.
Mentoring
Apprentices will be supported by a college based and workplace mentor for the two years of their studies.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this programme, you can pursue careers in a range of areas across the public sector, industry, private accountancy practices and self-employment. Accounting Technicians perform a wide range of roles including:
- Bookkeeping
- Financial Accounting & Budgeting
- Costing & Credit Control
- Payroll Administration
- Tax Returns
Course Structure
Apprentices will work at their employer’s office four days a week and attend classes at Dublin College Blacrock on Tuesdays during term time. They are also given three weeks’ study leave each year. The Diploma for Accounting Technicians is awarded upon successful completion of the programme.
The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship course incorporates:
- On-the-job’ training combined with college tuition.
- Students ‘earn as they learn’, taking home the full-time industry salary for an incoming trainee Accounting Technician.
- Large and small accountancy practices, service firms and industry employers are taking on school leavers as apprentices.
Download a guide to the ATI Apprenticeship here.
Progression
Graduates of the Accounting Techncian award are eligible for progression to the ATI Technologist degree, a blended learning programme delivered in partnership with Technological University of the Shannon [Athlone Campus].
Graduates from the Apprenticeship Programme can progress to higher professional accounting qualifications including ACA, ACCA, CIMA, and CPA.
Successful graduates will receive generous exemptions on Chartered Accountants Ireland’s study programmes so that they can continue to progress their career within the profession. So by choosing the on-the-job apprenticeship route, they have the opportunity to become fully qualified Chartered Accountants in just five years.
