The Accounting & Finance stream allows students to specialise in Accounting and Finance in the final two years of their BBS (Hons) degree and is primarily for those students who wish to pursue a career as an accountant or in the financial services sector. This course is accredited by various professional accounting bodies and boasts maximum available exemptions for those students wishing to pursue a professional accounting qualification. Further exemptions are available with the Irish Taxation Institute allowing graduates the opportunity to pursue various roles in taxation.
Course Structure
This is a 4-year degree, consisting of 60 credits per stage and 30 credits per semester. The first two years of the course includes core foundation business modules ensuring that students acquire the necessary foundation knowledge, skills and competencies in business. A suite of mandatory and elective modules are offered to students across the first 2 years of the course.
Following successful completion of year 2 students choose a stream that they wish to specialise in. Accounting & Finance is one of these streams which specialises in core accounting and finance modules in years 3 and 4 of the course.
The final 2 years of the course is structured around four key specialisms, namely: Accounting, Finance, Taxation and Audit & Assurance, where basic accounting, analytical and problem-solving skills are developed.
Is this course for you?
Mathematics and English are good indicator subjects for a career in accounting. Mathematics is useful as Accounting is a mathematical subject. English is important as you will need to explain complex accounting concepts to non-accountants in simple language. The course will start your journey to a professional accounting qualification which will open local, national and international career opportunities.
Special Features:
Maximum available exemptions from the professional accounting bodies including Chartered Accountants Ireland (ACA), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
Further exemptions available from the Irish Taxation Institute (ITI).
Final year Chartered Accountants Ireland sponsored award and prize.
Strong practical transferrable skills developed in On-Line Accounting Software, Revenue On-Line Services (ROS) and Microsoft Office applications.
Range of graduate job opportunities in multiple sectors including professional services, accountancy practices, industry, financial services and government upon completion of the course.
Summer internship programmes available in various accounting firms at the end of year 3.
Annual networking opportunities including guest lectures, employer presentations, EY business challenge, professional accounting body presentations, interview skills workshop and CV preparation workshop.
Year 1
Semester 1
Semester 2
Business Financial Accounting 1 (M)
Business Financial Accounting 2 (M)
Microeconomics (M)
Macroeconomics (M)
Quantitative Techniques 1 (M)
Quantitative Techniques 2 (M)
IT for Business 1 (M)
Data Analysis for Business 1 (M)
An Introduction to Management Theory (M)
Management in Action (M)
Communications & Academic Writing (M)
Business Psychology (M)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Intermediate Financial Accounting 1 (M)
Intermediate Financial Accounting 2 (M)
Human Resources Management 1 (M)
Macroeconomy of Ireland (M)
Business Cost Accounting (M)
Business Management Accounting (M)
Business Law 1 (M)
Business Law 2 (M)
Introduction to Marketing (M)
Contemporary Marketing Practice (M)
Data Analysis for Business 2 (M)
Supply Chain Management (M)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 3
Semester 5
Semester 6
Financial Reporting 1 (M)
Financial Reporting 2 (M)
Cost Accounting (M)
Management Accounting 1 (M)
Income Tax (M)
Business Tax for Self Employed & VAT (M)
Commercial/Corp Law for Accountants 1 (M)
Commercial/Corp Law for Accountants 2 (M)
Information Systems 1 (M)
Information Systems 2 (M)
Operations Management for Business (E)
Corporate Finance in Accounting (M)
Managerial Economics (E)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
Year 4
Semester 7
Semester 8
Advanced Financial Reporting 1 (M)
Advanced Financial Reporting 2 (M)
Management Accounting 2 (M)
Advanced Management Accounting (M)
Corporation Tax (M)
Capital Taxes and Succession (M)
Advanced Corporate Finance 1 (M)
Advanced Corporate Finance 2 (M)
Audit and Assurance 1 (M)
Audit and Assurance 2 (M)
Strategic Analysis (M)
Strategic Positioning (M)
M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject
What are the minimum entry requirements?
2 Subjects: H5
4 Subjects: O6 / H7
English or Irish: O6 / H7
Mathematics: O6 / H7
What follow-on study opportunities are available?
Professional Accountancy Exams (see exemptions below)
Professional Taxation Exams (see exemptions below)
Master of Business or other taught or research Master's Degrees at SETU and other universities.
Professional Master's in Education (PME)
What exemptions will I receive?
Chartered Accountants Ireland (ACA)
CA Proficiency 1 (CAP 1) - all subjects
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Applied Knowledge Level - all subjects
Applied Skills Level - all subjects
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Financial Leadership Programme (FLP)
Certificate Level - all subjects
Operational Level - all subjects
Operational Case Study
Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland (CPA)
Foundation Level - all subjects
Professional Level - all subjects
Irish Tax Institute (ITI)
Chartered Tax Advisor (Part 1) - 3 subjects
Notes
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What will I be able to do when I finish the course?
Graduate opportunities exist as a trainee accountant in professional services firms such as Ernst & Young (EY), Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), Grant Thornton, Deloitte, KPMG and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).
Many graduates also find employment in accountancy practices, industry, government roles and in the financial services sectors such as banking, insurance, financial analysis and fund management.
A period of further study will allow the graduate to qualify as a professional accountant.
Completion of a Professional Master's in Education (PME) will allow the graduate to pursue a career in post-primary teaching.
