Failings in Ireland’s educational system and the Leaving Certificate are partly to blame for a 30% decline in the numbers entering the accountancy profession since the start of the recession, according to the president of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland.

Cormac Mohan told the CPA’s annual conference that there is now a shortage of qualified accountants. The Institute believes that failings in Ireland’s education system is contributing to the problem. He called on the Department of Education to review the syllabus urgently.

“There has been no innovation in the teaching of accountancy at second level for decades,” he said. “The learning experience needs enriching through project work and cloud based learning and assessment resources. It is unacceptable that the technology and systems used in modern accountancy practise is not reflected in the syllabus; instead students are taught about the value of spreadsheets — a technology which was introduced in the late 1980s.

“The accountancy profession is constantly evolving. The key standards to which we operate are reviewed regularly. The current standard, FRS102, was implemented in 2015, yet Leaving Certificate students are examined on the previous standard SSAP2 which was retired in 2001. 

“There is no doubt that the syllabus is now not relevant and out of date and students who wish to pursue accountancy careers are ill-equipped and let down by this failing."

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Mohan (picred) added: “The current programme is clearly not fit for purpose. Its review should be an urgent priority for the minister and the Department of Education and should be structured to allow more regular changes in future. A dynamic and modern accounting syllabus is needed if we are to ensure Irish businesses continue to be well served by the accountancy profession.”