An alternative to the CAO system has been announced for school leavers seeking a career in accountancy. The CPA Accounts Executive Traineeship is a one-year full time academic programme followed by a three-month training contract for school leavers who hope to become accountants.
Students can go on to pursue further training with CPA while undergoing three years of supervised, practical training in a work environment.
An initiative of the Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB), in partnership with Cenit College and CPA Ireland, the course organisers say that the CPA Accounts Executive Traineeship offers a funded route into a career in accountancy without the cost of higher education.
The programme will initially launch in Athlone. The tuition will be delivered via face to face lectures in the LWETB Athlone Training Centre by Cenit College. Cenit College is a CPA gold star approved learning provider with experienced lecturers from a range of accounting and financial backgrounds. Subsequently the programme will be rolled out on a national scale.
Work Placement
Eamonn Siggins, CPA chief executive, said: “Historically, training in accountancy was conducted through a combination of study and work placement, and we are moving back towards that model. On completion of the one year programme, and three month work placement, students can progress to further accounting studies with CPA Ireland on a part-time basis in order to complete their professional accountancy qualification. One of the great benefits of studying to become a qualified CPA accountant is that you can do so while continuing to work fulltime and earn an income.”
In Association with
The traineeship was developed to ensure that anyone with the ambition and commitment to become an accountant can do so, regardless of financial or logistical limitations. It will also serve to meet the needs of accountancy practices, SMEs and international companies wishing to base their finance teams in Ireland.
Students will be eligible if they meet specific Leaving Certificate requirements and an interview to ensure that they possess the aptitude and suitability for the CPA Accounts Executive Traineeship. It is not necessary to have studied accountancy in the Leaving Certificate.
Financial Burden
Dr Christy Duffy, Chief Executive of Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board explains: “This is not just another bookkeeping or business course, but a programme which provides suitable candidates with the first step towards becoming a fully qualified professional accountant, with an internationally renowned CPA accounting qualification.
“Many students are now acutely aware of the financial burden which attending a college course can place on both themselves and their families. We are seeking to address that need by providing committed and ambitious students with an opportunity to embark on a path to becoming a fully qualified professional accountant through a one year school leaver programme.”
The academic element of the programme incorporates CPA approved professional tuition for the first level of the CPA qualification leading to a Certificate in Business and Accounting on completion. The course will also include a comprehensive IT and data mining and modelling module.
In addition to training and accreditation for Sage Line 50, students will also cover an introduction to tax and a module on business communication skills, in order to prepare them effectively for the world of work. The training element of this programme then takes place in an accountancy practice or a business related organisation thereby giving the student an opportunity to gain applied experience in the world of accounting and business.
An information evening will be held on Tuesday 25th August from 6pm in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel. For more details, contact Jean Ryan on 01 425 1056.
