How to become an Accounting Technician in Waterford - Pitman Training Career Plan Q & A Series

An accounting technician is a qualified finance professional that works at all levels of finance, such as bookkeeping, taxation, payroll and accounts assistant, can work for private and public sector organisations and can very often be self-employed. Accounting technicians are often deemed part qualified accountants and many choose to continue down this career path and train to fully qualified accountancy.

In terms of professional skills needed, at a minimum you would need to qualify in Bookkeeping to an excellent proficiency, Sage 50 Accounts, Payroll Manual and Computerised and have an excellent understanding of Microsoft Excel. Familiarity of Irish Business Accounts which will help you gain an understanding of balance sheets, profit and loss accounts (P&L) including stocktaking, depreciation, capital and revenue expenditure.

Read on for some commonly asked questions and answers about this career and hopefully you will be armed with the knowledge you need to make your decision about venturing down this path!

Q Do you need a degree to be an Accounting Technician?

A While you won’t need a university degree, you will need foundation qualifications such as a Diploma to get you started. A highly regarded Accounting Diploma course in Waterford such as Accounting Technician Diploma or Advanced Accounts Diploma with Pitman Training, is widely recognised throughout industry and by finance professionals in Ireland.

Q How much salary would you expect to earn?

A The average salary in Waterford for an Accounts Technician is currently €27,771 and salary can rise up to €40,000 with years of experience. If additional study and training is undertaken to qualify as a full Accountant, salary expectations can be higher.

Q What do you do as an Accounting Technician?

A The role can be varied depending on where you are working, but in general the tasks can be preparation of accounts, dealing with basic bookkeeping, processing and paying invoices, recording receipts and payments, preparing and checking ledger balances, completing and submitting tax returns and VAT returns. Further responsibilities can include preparing financial reports, planning and budget control.

Q What is the Waterford jobs market like currently for finance and accounting jobs?

A With employment levels at their best level in years, there are several Accounting and Finance roles being advertised on a regular basis. Examples in the past week alone for jobs in the region being advertised include these Finance Assistant and Payroll Technician roles.

Q What is the opportunity for Career Progression?

A Undertaking professional training and CPD accredited accounting training will significantly benefit your CV and employment prospects. You will have proved your new level of knowledge to employers and that can be invaluable in business. Doors will open straight away to become a valued assistant at a larger firm, take on specialist roles such as Bookkeeper, Credit Controller, Finance Officer for example or provide your own accountancy services to local business. There are plenty of career progression options available and depending on your aspirations you could work towards a career as a Chartered Accountant, Finance Manager or Financial Controller.

Educational Training centres such as Pitman Training are regularly contacted by businesses looking for Pitman Training students to place in either a work experience setting or indeed with a view to interviewing for a paid position. If you are looking for career advice about jobs and training in accounts, one of the best steps you can take is to check out your local Pitman Training centre.

We offer over 400 flexible learning, full and part-time Waterford courses in a wide range of subjects from IT, Technical training courses, Programming to Web Design, Management courses, Digital Marketing, Accounting, Event Management, Secretarial, Medical and Legal Secretary training.

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