How to Become a Financial Accountant

Financial accounting remains a vital and respected profession in Ireland’s business landscape. With increasing demand for skilled professionals across corporate, public, and non-profit sectors, financial accountants play a key role in managing and reporting a company’s finances accurately. This blog will explore how to become a financial accountant in Ireland, including necessary qualifications, career progression paths, salary expectations, and key responsibilities.

With that in mind, let’s look at how you can begin a career as a financial accountant in Ireland.

How to Become a Financial Accountant

To become a financial accountant in Ireland, you’ll typically need a relevant degree, professional certification, practical experience, and a comprehensive understanding of accounting principles. Entry level financial accountant roles often serve as a launchpad, leading to rewarding career growth. Whether you’re starting out or considering a switch from a related field, understanding the financial accountant career path is essential to make informed decisions about your future.

Understanding the Financial Accounting Industry

Financial accounting is the field responsible for recording, summarising, and reporting an organisation’s financial transactions. In Ireland, this is a highly regulated sector crucial to strategic decision-making and compliance with legal obligations. A financial accountant ensures transparency, supports auditing processes, and delivers financial statements used by stakeholders such as investors, directors, and Revenue Commissioners.

Many businesses—from SMEs to multinational firms—rely on financial accountants to uphold financial integrity. As Ireland continues to attract international companies and lead in sectors such as tech, life sciences, and finance, financial accounting jobs in Ireland remain steadily in demand.

Core Responsibilities of a Financial Accountant

The day-to-day financial accountant responsibilities in Ireland may vary slightly by employer or industry, but they generally include the following:

Preparing monthly and annual financial statements in line with Irish and international accounting standards
Ensuring tax compliance and preparing Revenue filings (e.g., VAT, PAYE, Corporation Tax)
Maintaining general ledgers and managing balance sheet reconciliations
Assisting with budgeting and forecasting processes
Coordinating with external auditors and internal finance teams
Improving internal financial controls and reporting processes
Keeping up to date with developments in IFRS and Irish GAAP

Essential Soft Skills

Beyond technical proficiency, the most effective financial accountants share a range of soft skills that help them collaborate, communicate, and adapt effectively in the workplace. These include:

Attention to detail: Accuracy is critical when dealing with financial data
Analytical thinking: Identifying financial trends and forecasting
Problem-solving: Resolving discrepancies and advising on financial impacts
Communication: Presenting financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders
Organisation: Managing deadlines, audits and multiple reporting tasks
Ethical integrity: Ensuring compliance and transparency at all stages

Steps to Becoming a Financial Accountant in Ireland

Step 1: Obtain a relevant third-level qualification (Level 7 or 8). Degrees in accounting, finance, business, or economics are commonly required.

Step 2: Gain entry-level experience. Entry level financial accountant roles such as finance assistant or accounts technician help build hands-on experience in a professional setting.

Step 3: Work towards a recognised professional qualification, such as ACCA, CPA Ireland, or ACA (Chartered Accountants Ireland). These qualifications are essential for long-term financial accounting career progression and add significant value to your CV.

Step 4: Develop key financial accounting skills through work placements, internships or graduate programmes. Employers value proficiency in tools like Sage, QuickBooks, and Excel, and experience with Irish tax systems.

Step 5: Stay current with Irish accounting regulations and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) requirements, often mandatory for maintaining membership in professional bodies.

Salaries and Career Growth

Financial accountant salary Ireland figures depend on location, experience, and employer size:

Entry-level: €32,000–€42,000
Mid-level (3–5 years’ experience): €45,000–€60,000
Senior financial accountant/manager: €65,000–€80,000+

Financial accounting career progression may involve moving into roles such as finance manager, financial controller, or chief financial officer (CFO). Other professionals pursue specialisms like taxation, forensic accounting, or auditing.

The difference between chartered accountant vs financial accountant lies in scope and qualification. Chartered accountants generally hold a broader qualification (e.g. ACA) and may work across audit, tax, or advisory areas. However, many financial accountants are also chartered, particularly in larger organisations and senior roles.

Courses and Certifications

When considering how to become a financial accountant in Ireland, recognised certifications can play a pivotal role. The main Irish-recognised options include:

ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants): Internationally recognised and focused on financial management and reporting
CPA Ireland (Certified Public Accountants): Flexible structure with accountancy focus suitable for SMEs and Irish businesses
ACA (Chartered Accountants Ireland): Highly regarded in both public practice and commerce roles
Accounting Technician (ATI): Ideal for those entering the profession or seeking an entry-level credential
QQI-accredited qualifications: Level 5 or 6 modules can provide a foundation for further study or practical skills

These certifications support both entry into and upward mobility within the financial accountant career path. Many employers require or strongly prefer candidates who are part-qualified or fully qualified for mid to senior-level roles.

If you would like to find out more about certification and the courses available to you, just get in touch or complete the form below.

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visual_subject: A high-resolution DSLR-style photograph of a male, 40-year-old Irish financial accountant with fair skin, wavy black hair, and brown eyes, seated at a tidy modern desk in a contemporary Irish office. Wearing a light blue dress shirt with rolled sleeves and tailored dark trousers, with a closed notebook visible nearby. Bright lighting, soft neutral background, clean and professional atmosphere. Shot with a Canon EOS R5, 50mm lens, f/2.0, ISO 100, shutter speed 1/250s. Stock photography style.

How to Become a Financial Accountant