Accounting technicians 2017/18

jkbah

How did you find FA? Didn't think it was so bad. Managed to avoid most theory. Hate BM with a passion, spent most of my time concentrating on FA so very little time for the rest.

Maz2016

I found it just ok. It’ll be a borderline pass if I do pass. I’m here studying BM and it’s stressful. When you break it down there is actually doycj to learn in it. I’ve 2 sample papers done though.

Cats26

Hoping I passed, found question 2 difficult but trying not to dwell on it. I hate bm with a passion, there's soooo much in it and it's mostly bs!!

bridalmum

Anyone sitting year 2 management next Monday?

Cats26

Nearly there!!! After yesterdays disaster I hope tomorrow will go better...fingers crossed!

han2000

Cannot wait to have a day off! Best of luck tomorrow everyone :-)

Maz2016

Oh that taxation was a horrible paper. Nearly cried when I saw question 3. It’s hard to know what way law will go. We can get our lives back at 12:30 tomorrow. Best of luck

ash23

Results today! Hope everyone got on ok.
I got a merit in all four subjects so was pretty happy.

Cats26

Barely scrapped through tax.... 50%, tho tbh after that paper I'm overjoyed to have passed!! Got distinction in fa and merits in other 2. So happy not to have to study for the rest of the summer!!! Enjoy the celebrations!!

han2000

Two distinctions and two merits. Happy out! Now for another two months of relaxation Well done everyone!

Madio Sane

Hi all. Just wondering if anyone on here is doing the August repeats this week and next week? Hopefully I will pass the dreaded Business Management on Thursday and progress to second year (won't be sad to see the back of it).

Just on a side note, what is the best approach when looking for work experience? I do some payroll, ROS and keep track of the receipts and payments journals where I am at the moment. However I need more areas to cover to fulfill the experience criteria of the qualification.

What approach worked for those of you out there? Is it best to send cover letters to various accountants' practices looking for work experience even if they are not actively hiring? Any guidance you can give would be appreciated.

farawaygrass

Hi all,
I’ve applied for this course in the previous week. Have any of you got a job from doing this course, or is it mostly a stepping stone to further education?

Maz2016

Is everybody ready for year 2? The summer flew. Looking at the May 2018 papers for year 2, they don’t seem too hard

farawaygrass

I started year one last week. Loved the taxation module but the business management was a bit of a bore. What do you all hope to achieve after this, especially If not working in an accounting related role already?

Maz2016

Now that we are 4 months in , how are people finding year 2?

Madio Sane

Maz2016 wrote: »

Now that we are 4 months in , how are people finding year 2?

I find the course a fair step up in terms of what's expected myself. I find the tax and financial accounting more manageable than the management accounting which I'm struggling with. The IAS module is fairly step by step from the book and it's just a question of doing the case studies until you get the hang of the software. The Sage Payroll is fairly new to me (even though I've experience in a different payroll package) and is quite a learning experience.

How are you finding it Maz2016?

Maz2016

Madio Sane wrote: »

I find the course a fair step up in terms of what's expected myself. I find the tax and financial accounting more manageable than the management accounting which I'm struggling with. The IAS module is fairly step by step from the book and it's just a question of doing the case studies until you get the hang of the software. The Sage Payroll is fairly new to me (even though I've experience in a different payroll package) and is quite a learning experience.

How are you finding it Maz2016?

Yeah I find year 2 a bit easier in the sense that I can follow it easier and know what is expected of you. Saying that, I find it needs more time than year 1. I find business management tough going. On the book it looks doable but when we are doing it in class, she makes it look harder. IAS is grand. I think I’m ok with the payroll, we only had 2 classes of the sage 50 so far and I missed one of those. I think that may be tough

Madio Sane

Maz2016 wrote: »

Yeah I find year 2 a bit easier in the sense that I can follow it easier and know what is expected of you. Saying that, I find it needs more time than year 1. I find business management tough going. On the book it looks doable but when we are doing it in class, she makes it look harder. IAS is grand. I think I’m ok with the payroll, we only had 2 classes of the sage 50 so far and I missed one of those. I think that may be tough

+1 on the management accounting. Good to get your opinion on it that it's not just me finding it a challenge. The only saving grace is much like business management last year the exam questions are reasonably straightforward in that they are usually not trying to catch you out like Tax & AFA do.

The book is good for Sage 50. It slows it down and gives a step by step guide especially the early case studies. I had a bit of a leg up in the fact that I had done a Level 5 short course in Sage 50 a few years ago. Though that doesn't stop me making silly mistakes with it all the time.

It's only this year I've got my act together for study. It was my first time in a good while back in a learning environment last year and I am the better for that experience (fingers crossed).

Did you have much exposure to the subjects through work or previous study before Maz?

Maz2016

Madio Sane wrote: »

+1 on the management accounting. Good to get your opinion on it that it's not just me finding it a challenge. The only saving grace is much like business management last year the exam questions are reasonably straightforward in that they are usually not trying to catch you out like Tax & AFA do.

The book is good for Sage 50. It slows it down and gives a step by step guide especially the early case studies. I had a bit of a leg up in the fact that I had done a Level 5 short course in Sage 50 a few years ago. Though that doesn't stop me making silly mistakes with it all the time.

It's only this year I've got my act together for study. It was my first time in a good while back in a learning environment last year and I am the better for that experience (fingers crossed).

Did you have much exposure to the subjects through work or previous study before Maz?

YES!! I noticed that the exam questions for BM are not out to trick you as well. I think all we can do is practice practice practice with these.

I agree with the study, I left it very late last year to begin - and being out of the habit for a good 15 years did not help either. I did sage payroll a number of years ago so find that part ok. I work in the accounts department of a food distributor so deal with invoices and credit notes on a daily basis but it is not sage. I suppose with more practice it will come in time.

Did you notice the there is no sample papers for tax? and also do you know when the revision courses will be? I found them to be a great help last year.

jkbah

Hi there. Haven't done much at home myself. Starting in New year. A lot to do but hoping all will go Grand like last year. Will be great to have one less exam in May to contend with though

Maz2016

jkbah wrote: »

Hi there. Haven't done much at home myself. Starting in New year. A lot to do but hoping all will go Grand like last year. Will be great to have one less exam in May to contend with though

It really is. We got the date for our one think it’s the 8th April. How are you finding it jkbah?

jkbah

Maz2016 wrote: »

It really is. We got the date for our one think it’s the 8th April. How are you finding it jkbah?

Think it's going ok. Just need to do lots of practice. I found doing past papers and questions from tenjin repeatedly was the only way for me. The revision workshops were well worth it too. I only bought them after. Didn't travel to Dublin

Maz2016

Yeah I travelled to Dublin for some but might do them online this time. I agree about tenjin. AND err is a Amy Revision app aswell , I find that great. I don’t really do the questions at the end of the chapters

Madio Sane

Can you watch the revision tutorials afterwards on Touchpoint if you can't make it up to Dublin?

Maz2016

Madio Sane wrote: »

Can you watch the revision tutorials afterwards on Touchpoint if you can't make it up to Dublin?

They charge 30 euro for the full day course or 15 for the half day courses. It’s free to watch back if you paid to go to the course in Dublin

Madio Sane

Maz2016 wrote: »

They charge 30 euro for the full day course or 15 for the half day courses. It’s free to watch back if you paid to go to the course in Dublin

Thanks for the heads up on that. I'll probably need AFA and MA tutorials the way things are going.

On another point what do people doing this course intend on doing afterwards re changing job, further study, etc?

Maz2016

They have put the dates up for the revision courses. There doesn’t appear to be any for IAS, our tutor told us on Thursday that there is a high fail rate in that first time round. The other 3 subjects are like last year 60 euro per subject.

I would like to go on and do the ACCA exams afterwards. It’s tough to commit though. How about yourself?

Has anybody got a list of topics and what years they come up? Last year our law guy was able to say sych a topic came up in 2014,2016 etc. Made studying much easier

jkbah

Maz2016 wrote: »

Yeah I travelled to Dublin for some but might do them online this time. I agree about tenjin. AND err is a Amy Revision app aswell , I find that great. I don’t really do the questions at the end of the chapters

Hi maz2016, just wondering what AND err is an Amy revision app means? I'm sure auto correct helped you out.
How are ye finding new touchpoint?

Maz2016

jkbah wrote: »

Hi maz2016, just wondering what AND err is an Amy revision app means? I'm sure auto correct helped you out.
How are ye finding new touchpoint?

Oh God, I don't even know what I was saying there. :pac: I think I was trying to say that there is a revision app as well. I am not liking the new touchpoint. It is crashing a lot.

Can I ask, with the IAS sample papers, is there anywhere that explains how to do them step by step. I am trying to do a bad debt in Sage 50 and just cant figure it out

jkbah

Just the book as far as I'm aware. I remember doing a bad debt in it. Had to find amount owed on invoice less vat. Then journal it if I remember correctly.
We're not at the sample papers yet

Maz2016

Thanks, I will have to pull out the book. We are but have skipped loads of things. Havent done excel or finished payroll/sage 50.

I did a few hours of tax today. Am happy with that module

HeinekenTicket

Maz2016 wrote: »

Oh God, I don't even know what I was saying there. :pac: I think I was trying to say that there is a revision app as well. I am not liking the new touchpoint. It is crashing a lot.

Can I ask, with the IAS sample papers, is there anywhere that explains how to do them step by step. I am trying to do a bad debt in Sage 50 and just cant figure it out

I'd say you were referring to the MyRevision mobile app and it got 'auto-corrected' !

Maz2016

HeinekenTicket wrote: »

I'd say you were referring to the MyRevision mobile app and it got 'auto-corrected' !

Yeah I think so , never even looked before I posted

Maz2016

How do others remember all the formulas for management accounting? We have a mock exam next week on chapters 1-29 - I tried doing the sample papers but just can not remember the formulas. I have to look up the book all the time

ZeroCool17

Hi. I'm thinking of doing this is September and I've really enjoyed this thread. Although it has slightly terrified me too 😊 Well done to you all.

I was just wondering what the work experience requirement is like? Is it a certain amount of hours a week or what way does that work?

Maz2016

Hi ZeroCool17. It is a good course. The work experience is based on a 35 hour week for 48 weeks a year for 2 years. But it takes past experience into account. I don’t see how they can prove your hours though. Have a read of this http://www.accountingtechniciansireland.ie/Affiliates/Becoming_a_member/Guidance_Notes_.pdf

ZeroCool17

Maz2016 wrote: »

Hi ZeroCool17. It is a good course. The work experience is based on a 35 hour week for 48 weeks a year for 2 years. But it takes past experience into account. I don’t see how they can prove your hours though. Have a read of this http://www.accountingtechniciansireland.ie/Affiliates/Becoming_a_member/Guidance_Notes_.pdf

Thanks very much Maz2016. I suppose I had it in my head that I'd keep working where I am for 2 years and then get a job in this field. Maybe now looking at it I need to maybe do 1 year and get the cert and then move into this field and try and get the work experience requirement done. Thanks again for your help.

august12

ZeroCool17 wrote:

Thanks very much Maz2016. I suppose I had it in my head that I'd keep working where I am for 2 years and then get a job in this field. Maybe now looking at it I need to maybe do 1 year and get the cert and then move into this field and try and get the work experience requirement done. Thanks again for your help.

Have a look at Springboard, there is an ACCA diploma in accounting and business run over 1 year, it's a FETAC level 6, this might suit you better, there are different study options including an online, application is still open and start date is next week. I've just filled an application, I was late for the last one and they placed me on a waiting list. No guarantee I will be accepted to this as there are limited places , it's open to social welfare, home makers and employed but a fee for employed.

MartyMcFly84

The ACCA diploma in Accountancy and Business qualifies as the first 3 exams towards the ACCA qualification and being a qualified Accountant. Its a handy option if you choose to continue with your studies.

I did the Diploma and then the Advance Diploma and am working on the professional level exams now.

adrian32

Hey there,

As an ATI Year One learner (online programme) I found it very interesting going through this thread, so thanks everyone for your contributions. I have SO many questions!
I don't have any work experience whatsoever in the field but I do have some background in CS and common sense, and my understanding has been that most of the tedious aspects of accounting have been eliminated due to man's (new) best friend - the computer...
This is why I was shocked to find out a few months ago that not only are the exams pen-and-paper (I mean, just make us use inkwells and candles, why don't you) but also A LOT of the material learned and examined is all about tedious data-entry and simple numerical error detection that anyone with half a brain could do (rather than just focusing on smart problem-solving, analytical logic etc.)...and in fact, we don't need humans to do anymore. It is just a pure time-wasting element of the ATI course and something irrelevant to modern accounting, where these processes are automated.

In light of this, I find the exam both unfair and incompatible with the modern work environment and would like to get your thoughts, as experienced individuals in the field. What is it like working in Accounting (I'm particularly interested in Tax Advisory)? Are you using mostly Excel or an Accounting Software? What aspects of the ATI course did you find useful in your daily work?

And...is there a technology-hating group of 70-year-old in charge of the ATI exams? What is going on here? LOL...

Cheer and thanks in advance for your time

august12

MartyMcFly84 wrote: »

The ACCA diploma in Accountancy and Business qualifies as the first 3 exams towards the ACCA qualification and being a qualified Accountant. Its a handy option if you choose to continue with your studies.

I did the Diploma and then the Advance Diploma and am working on the professional level exams now.

Can one complete the advanced diploma through Springboard, I don't see it available there but the ACCA diploma is on the site. Would be a much cheaper alternative.

jkbah

How did the ias exam go for you guys? Think it went ok here. On the final countdown now. Not doing well with financial at the moment. Really worried about that

Maz2016

jkbah wrote: »

How did the ias exam go for you guys? Think it went ok here. On the final countdown now. Not doing well with financial at the moment. Really worried about that

Yeah I found the IAS grand too. If you needed 50 to pass I’d be very confident that I passed. The fact you need 70, I’m very hopeful I passed. I’m struggling with financial as well. If you weren’t at the workshop , it’s avsilsble in knowledge point and it’s free (which is a mistake) but it’s very good

jkbah

I'm watching it as we speak. I didn't know it was free! That's deffo a mistake. My books were really late so I'm getting the workshops on KP for free anyway. We just finished tuition on Wednesday so not much time for studying compared to last year but one less exam I'm May.

Maz2016

jkbah wrote: »

I'm watching it as we speak. I didn't know it was free! That's deffo a mistake. My books were really late so I'm getting the workshops on KP for free anyway. We just finished tuition on Wednesday so not much time for studying compared to last year but one less exam I'm May.

The one less exam is great. It really makes a difference. We don’t finish tuition until the week after next. Are you concentrating on past papers or the text books?

jkbah

I'm doing past exam questions. If I don't know where they got any part of solution I'll go back to book for that. It's really daunting to have to pick up whole book and try and work way through that. My method is to watch revision workshop and then try and do questions on each party covered. Thought the workshops better last year, they seemed to cover more topics. Haven't watched tax yet. Any tips for financial accounting?

Maz2016

jkbah wrote: »

I'm doing past exam questions. If I don't know where they got any part of solution I'll go back to book for that. It's really daunting to have to pick up whole book and try and work way through that. My method is to watch revision workshop and then try and do questions on each party covered. Thought the workshops better last year, they seemed to cover more topics. Haven't watched tax yet. Any tips for financial accounting?

I completely agree. A lot more topics covered last year. For financial I’m studying the theory more this year. Don’t have any study plan. I seem to be all over the place with that and management. Have you any?

jkbah

Maz2016 wrote: »

I completely agree. A lot more topics covered last year. For financial I’m studying the theory more this year. Don’t have any study plan. I seem to be all over the place with that and management. Have you any?

No plan really, just trying to do most I can. Concentrating mostly in financial and tax for next 2 weeks. Really busy at home with kids though.

Cats26

Finding this yr much more difficult, think a lot in my class is the same. I'm going to park management now and concentrate on financial and tax. I'm thinking I'll have 3 days leading up to ma just to concentrate on that! Can't believe exams are so close, I felt much better prepared last yr

Maz2016

Cats26 wrote: »

Finding this yr much more difficult, think a lot in my class is the same. I'm going to park management now and concentrate on financial and tax. I'm thinking I'll have 3 days leading up to ma just to concentrate on that! Can't believe exams are so close, I felt much better prepared last yr

I think every one is in the same boat. I was a lot better prepared last year. MA is so hard for me. I am oarking it too. The pass rate last year was extremely high so hopefully we will be ok