Working abroad with accountancy

ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) advises that a degree is no longer enough, a postgraduate qualification and some experience is now the minimum demanded by most international employers.

According to Liz Hughes, Head of ACCA Ireland: 'emigration seems to have become a reality once again in Ireland. However it can be seen as a positive career enhancing and life positive move. The current recession has brought a fresh wave of emigration from these shores. Forty years ago many Irish people emigrated with only manual labour skills, twenty years ago people emigrated with a degree, now employers want potential recruits to hold a postgraduate qualification. But you need to make sure that the post graduate qualification is recognised internationally.'

Recent surveys from organisations such as the Higher Education Authority highlight the issue of graduate unemployment in Ireland. ACCA would encourage such graduates to make sure that they have the best skills to secure employment and a post graduate qualification and some international experience is now the benchmark.

Hughes went on to comment: 'a period abroad is an excellent addition to a CV, I would encourage our youngest and brightest to spend some time abroad, find out how business is done in Canada or Australia and then come back to Ireland with these skills. The last time that there was mass emigration, it was the skill and application shown by Irish people abroad that encouraged so many foreign firms to locate their new factories and facilities in Ireland. Our latest crop of graduates and more importantly post graduate qualified people, are the best ambassadors that Ireland could ever have.'

Some graduates may decide to become accountants and ACCA offers a very flexible route to an internationally recognised accounting qualification. ACCA exams may be taken in Ireland, the Bahamas, New Zealand or in over 120 countries; while HETAC has assigned the ACCA qualification to Level 9 of the Irish National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Level 9 holds Irish postgraduate qualifications, such as postgraduate diplomas and masters degrees.

Accountants will be the business leaders and drivers of tomorrow; but international experience is essential. Hughes concluded: 'I would hope that the brightest and best will return, they will bring their newly acquired skills with them to shape and drive Ireland’s economy.'

Click here to read about courses in the ACCA.