Accounting & Finance
NCI’s BA (Honours) in Accounting and Finance features a blend of specialised accounting and finance subjects together with general business subjects, giving you an excellent foundation in leadership and management as well as a critical and methodical approach to problem-solving and decision-making in a financial context.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
Three Years - Full-Time (Four Years with work placement).
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Minimum entry requirements are a grade H5 and above in two higher level subjects together with a minimum of 06/H7 in four other subjects.
A minimum of grade 06/ H7 must be obtained in English.
A grade 05/H6 must be obtained in Mathematics.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
NCI operates the bonus scheme for Higher level Leaving Certificate Mathematics. 25 points will be added to an applicant’s points score for Higher level Mathematics for grades H6 and above.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
NCI recognises the LCVP for admission purposes, and results in the Link Modules element of the programme will be considered as follows:
Grade Points
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
This is automatically computed by CAO. The Link Modules may be used as one of the six subjects for overall points calculation but will not be considered as a subject for the purposes of minimum entry requirements.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
NCI welcomes applications from students who are presenting QQI (formerly FET/FETAC) Level 5 and Level 6 awards.
For information on how to apply and minimum entry requirements go to the QQI Students link below.
Careers / Further progression
Career Prospects
Recent graduates are employed as trainee accountants and tax advisors within the Big 4 and Top 10 accountancy firms together with industry and financial services. Many are undertaking the professional accountancy exams. Specific employers include EY, Deloitte, BDO, Grant Thornton, JPA Brenson Lawlor, JP Morgan, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Citi, BNY Mellon, Moore Stephens, Cornmarket, PwC and Daiwa.
Further Study Options
Upon successful completion of the BA (Honours) in Accounting and Finance, graduates can progress to postgraduate courses at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications such as the MSc in Finance and MSc in Accounting at NCI or pursue a professional accountancy qualification such as ACA, CPA, ACCA or CIMA.
Further information
National College of Ireland is committed to providing equal access to education and equal opportunities for mature students. Students who are 23 years of age or older on 1st January can apply directly to NCI for entry to full-time education the following autumn. Applications will be accepted until 31st July. However, this closing date is subject to demand and therefore may change. For this reason and to avoid disappointment, it is advised that applications are submitted as early as possible. Further details can be obtained from the Admissions Office at admissions@ncirl.ie.
NCI also welcomes applicants for advanced entry into the second or third year of our full-time programmes. To be eligible for advanced entry, applicants must have undertaken specific courses and obtained certain results. Applicants should check with their individual institution or College of Further Education to find out to which courses this option is available. To find out more information regarding our advanced entry links, please contact Admissions at admissions@ncirl.ie. You can also contact Karen Campbell, School Liaison Officer at karen.campbell@ncirl.ie.
This course qualifies under the Free Fees Initiative and Student Grant Scheme.
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
About the Course
NCI’s BA (Honours) in Accounting and Finance features a blend of specialised accounting and finance subjects together with general business subjects, giving you an excellent foundation in leadership and management as well as a critical and methodical approach to problem-solving and decision-making in a financial context. You may also be able to take advantage of an opportunity to engage in a year-long, accredited work placement between years two and three. This placement is credit-bearing and comprises an extra year in the degree. Access to such placements is limited and highly competitive.
Graduates of this course understand the theory and practice of accounting and finance, have skills and knowledge in all areas of business, and can pursue a career in general management, accountancy or related fields. Graduates are also eligible for professional accountancy body exemptions.
Who is the course for?
This course is ideal for students who have an interest in the business world and who are looking to move into the international world of accounting and finance. The course is for school leavers, mature students and graduates of QQI level 5/6 programmes who wish to embark on a course of full-time study.
Course Structure and Award
This undergraduate course is a three-year honours degree (four years with the option of a placement*). The course is run over six semesters with continuous assessment held throughout the course and examinations at the end of each semester. In each year of the degree any student with an overall average of 70+ will win a Dean’s Award. On completion you will receive a QQI BA (Honours) Degree in Accounting and Finance at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
*Students who complete the Career Management Skills module and meet set grade criteria are eligible (subject to availability) to complete a work placement on year three of the programme and graduate after four years with 240 ECTS credits.
Professional Recognition
Graduates who meet the criteria decided by the professional accounting bodies may apply for generous exemptions from the examinations of professional accountancy bodies on completion of the course. These include Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Management Accounts (CIMA) and Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Ireland.
Year 1
• Financial Accounting
• Fundamentals of Management
• Economics in the World
• Managing Your Learning
• Business Law for Accounting and Finance
• Mathematics for Business and Finance
• Financial Accounting
• Economics in the World
• Introduction to Financial Markets
• Quantitative Methods
• Information and Communications Technology in Accounting and Finance
• Marketing for Accounting and Finance
Year 2
• Financial Accounting
• Management Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Taxation
• Quantitative Methods in Finance
• Company Law for Accounting and Finance
• Financial Accounting
• Management Accounting
• Corporate Finance
• Business Economics
• Corporate Governance and Ethics
• Collective Investments
Year 3
• Management Accounting
• Financial Reporting
• Law and Regulation
• Portfolio Analysis
• Derivatives and Risk Management
• Management Accounting
• Financial Reporting
• Contemporary Issues in Accounting and Finance
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Plus, a 5-credit elective in Semester 1 and a 10-credit elective in Semester 2
Electives
• Taxation
• International Financial Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Research project
• Auditing and Assurance
Elective Modules
Electives may include prerequisites, are subject to change, and availability is subject to class sizes.
Work Placement
Work placements are highly regarded by graduate recruiters and offer many advantages to students. Advantages include the opportunity to make contact in industry, networking experience, work-based practical skills and experience, assisting in developing personal and professional confidence, and an opportunity to boost your employability prospects when you graduate. On-the-job experience before you graduate will give you the edge in today’s job market.
This programme offers high-achieving students the option to complete an eightmonth paid work placement after successful completion of second year. This option is subject to strict requirements and will be discussed with students on entry to the course.
National College of Ireland
Mayor Street, IFSC, Dublin 1
Tel: Reception (01) 4498500
Course/College Info: 1800 221 721
Email: info@ncirl.ie
Web: www.ncirl.ie