The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has called for government to provide further commitment to accountancy skills programmes including Springboard+.

The organisation said demand within the industry is still outstripping supply of accountants available to work in the sector.

ACCA’s careers website currently has over 870 active jobs advertised and employers are citing that challenges of recruiting into the industry at both graduate and experienced levels.

Since 2018, the Springboard+ funding initiative has been responsible for recruiting over 1,200 new students into the accounting industry, affording them the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification.

Caitriona Allis, Head of ACCA Ireland, commented: “In recent years we have seen significant increases in demand from both students entering the profession, those seeking to upskill and businesses requiring accounting expertise, so it is vitally important that the funding for training matches this growth.

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“Small businesses struggle to recruit, and their lack of financial resources means they can’t offer in-house training programmes unlike larger businesses.

“That is why Springboard+ plays such a vital role in helping to bridge that gap by delivering qualified and skilled young people who can support the growth of SMEs and the wider economy.

“Initiatives like this are particularly important for those from disadvantaged backgrounds so it is crucial that we see continued funding for the Springboard+ programme and similar initiatives.”

Allis was speaking at the accountancy body’s first in-person new members celebration since the pandemic started.

Three hundred new members gathered at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dublin to mark their membership of accountancy organisation.

The Springboard+ initiative offers free and heavily subsidised courses at certificate, degree, and masters level leading to qualifications in areas where there are employment opportunities in the economy.

There are over 300 courses available for 2022-23, the majority of which are flexible and part-time, mostly operated by the tech universities. The type of education subsidised changes form year to year and accountancy has fallen down the pecking order.

Springboard+ is co-funded by the state, via the National Training Fund, and the European Union.

Photo: New members of the ACCA at their award ceremony. (Pic: Paul Kelly)