The Best Route to Becoming a Finance Professional

Incorporated Public Accountant

The IIPA's Flagship Qualification.

Qualifying as an Incorporated Public Accountant can be achieved faster than any other accounting body. We have carefully created a syllabus that combines the knowledge and skills needed to operate as a Professional Accountant in practice, industry or the public service. Qualified IPA's may also qualify to receive a practice certificate which will allow them to operate as "Registered Auditors.

The syllabus consists of three parts which total 14 modules. These are as follows:

Professional 1

Accounting Framework
Economics
Company and Business Law
Taxation
Management Accounting
Business Information Systems

Students who successfully complete Professional 1 will receive the award "Incorporated Public Accounting Technician" (subject to a successful application and payment of the appropriate fees) and will be entitled to use the designation letters "IPAT".

Professional 2

Auditing
Financial Accounting
Advanced Taxation
Strategic Management

Students who successfully complete Professional 2 will receive the award Certified Finance Professional and will be entitled to use the designation letters "CFP" (subject to a successful application and the payment of the appropriate fees).

Final Admitting Exam

Advanced Financial Accounting
Audit Practice
Advanced Management Accounting
Financial Management

Students who successfully complete the Final Admitting exam will receive the award Associate Incorporated Public Accountant and will be entitled to use the designation letters "AIPA" (subject to a successful application and the payment of the appropriate fees).

Post Qualification Progression

A range of options are open to an AIPA once qualified. Some may wish to practice as a Statutory Auditor, others will work as an Accountant in Practice, and others still as employees in accounting practices or in other organisations.

Download the Detailed IIPA Syllabus.

Higher Diploma in Audit and Assurance

For the Professional Accountant who wishes to qualify as a Registered Auditor

Many professional accountants do not choose to take the "Registered Auditor" route when they initially qualify. However later in their career they may find it useful to hold an Audit Practising Certificate.

The IIPA has recognised this need and offers a Higher Diploma in Audit and Assurance to meet the requirements of such accountants. The HD consists of three modules:

Introduction to Auditing
Advanced Taxation
Audit Practice

Subject to certain requirements the Higher Diploma is open to members of all Prescribed Accounting Bodies in Ireland (as designated by IAASA). Members of accounting bodies from other jurisdictions may also be granted admission to the course subject to assessment.

Why Study for an IIPA Qualification

Fastest way to a Professional Accounting Qualification
The IIPA's offers the fastest route to becoming a finance professional. You can qualify as an Incorporated Public Accounting Technician (IPAT) in 18 months to 2 years, or as an Associate Incorporated Public Accountant (AIPA) in 4 years.

Widest Range of Study Options
We aim to provide the most flexible route to your Professional Accounting Qualification. So you can choose between distance learning, accredited colleges or online. You can even blend these options over over your study.

Get Paid while you Study
There is a long tradition in the accounting and finance professions of working while you study. This means that the profession is attractive to school leavers, those who choose not to go to college, and those who wish to change careers.

Professional Accountant

Incorporated Public Accountants (AIPA or FIPA) are Professionals who provide a range of advice and services to business owners, managers, company directors, and a range of other people needing finance advice or services.

IPA's also work in public and private companies, the public sector and the financial services industry. They may operate in the finance department or in roles up to and including Chief Financial Officer and even Chief Executive Officer.

Work can include Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Corporate Finance and a wide range of advisory and consulting roles.

You can find out more about the role of the Incorporated Public Accountant here...

Certified Finance Professional

The Certified Finance Professional (CFP) plays an essential role in the provision of accounting services. They maintain financial records on behalf of businesses and other types of organisations. These records are usually provided to the professional accountant who creates the financial statements, makes tax returns etc.

The CFP will often be found working in accounting practices alongside the Accountant. They will both provide services and learn as they go, and many go on to become Incorporated Public Accountants.

You can find out more about the role of the Certified Finance Professional here...

Registered Auditor

There is a legal requirement for certain Limited Company to have a Statutory Audit undertaken. Only certain accountants can undertake a statutory auditing services. In order to undertake a Statutory Audit, an accountant must hold a current Audit Practice Certificate from a Recognised Accounting Body such as the Institute of Incorporated Public Accountants.

Usually described as Registered Auditors, they undertake their audit using a specialised methodology, and their role is to provide assurance on the "true and fair value" of the figures contained in the Companies Annual Financial Statements.

You can find out more about the role of the Registered Auditor here...

Contacting the IIPA

Head Office Address:

Institute of Incorporated Public Accountants,
Heather House,
Heather Road,
Sandyford,
Dublin 18,
Ireland

Telephone:

353 (0)1 2069000

Email:

info@iipa.ie

Institute of Incorporated Public Accountants

IIPA Syllabus

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