Dept of Accounting & Business Computing
Accounting is the study of how organisations manage their financial strategy, including their income and expenditure, assets and liabilities, over time. Accountants are involved in a wide variety of activities and are likely to be planners and decision makers at the highest level in organisations. Their work includes preparing financial reports, developing strategies for mergers and acquisitions and implementing tax strategies, as well as general management responsibilities.
At its core, accounting is about understanding how organisations work, what drives them and what makes a profit. Such knowledge and skills can assist you in developing an enjoyable and rewarding career. Accountants typically work in public practice with accountancy firms, in private practice for themselves, in the public service and in industry.
AIT has enjoyed an excellent reputation for the quality of its accountancy programmes over many years. Several past students have obtained outstanding results in the professional accountancy examinations, including one learner who obtained a first place in the world in one of her exams! Full details of these programmes are contained in the postgraduate prospectus. Programme opportunities from accounting technician level to honours degree standard, as well as an MA in Accounting, are offered by the Business School.
Despite the global and domestic economic downturn, the demand for highly skilled financial professionals persists. That’s according to the most recent National Skills Bulletin, which highlights a skills shortage for professionals such as chartered and certified accountants with expertise in project and system accounting, compliance experts, risk experts, etc. They say that ‘changes in the regulatory environment are expected to create demand for high level, up-to-date accounting skills (compliance, financial reporting, financial management) and risk management expertise. In addition, strong demand is expected to continue for experts in actuarial science and quantitative finance. These skills are expected to be critical in driving employment growth in the financial services industry in the recovery.’
Information and communications technology (ICT) is also
a strategically important function for organisations today. The global personal
computer industry is now estimated to be worth in the region of €200 billion
annually. Current challenges for the industry include improving mobility,
maintenance, and, at a national level, increasing access to broadband
AIT’s degrees in business computing are highly regarded for their combination of business and IT modules. You learn not just about the technical aspects, such as programming and software, but also about the broader areas of business-related knowledge and skills in areas such as economics and the business environment, management and enterprise development.
According to the most recent National Skills Bulletin, there is still a strong demand for individuals who ‘not only have the advanced IT skills to install systems, but who can also customise and adapt those systems to a business’s individual needs’. In particular, they say, there is a shortage of experienced computer systems managers and IT professionals with business knowledge and managerial skills. The report also points to an increase in the demand for hybrid technologists, such as business and IT, as interdisciplinary activities expand in importance.
Why Choose Accounting and Business Computing at AIT?
- AIT accountancy graduates receive a large number of exemptions from professional examinations.
- Accountancy students at AIT consistently score top marks in international professional body examinations.
- Graduates from our honours degrees are deemed eligible by the Teaching Council to apply for a Postgraduate Diploma in Education course.
- Our business computing programmes are designed specifically for a career in business IT, where the greatest number of employment opportunities exist.
- Lecturers have extensive industry experience which enriches their teaching skills and competencies.
- Student tutors and mentors are on hand to provide extra support outside the lecture theatre.
