MSc in Accounting
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The DCU MSc in Accounting is the leading graduate accounting programme of its kind in Ireland, an innovative partnership of learning which is informed and shaped by the needs of the accounting and taxation professionals of tomorrow.
The programme is designed for accounting graduates to combine study for a Master’s degree while gaining exemptions from professional examinations at the same time.
The one-year full-time Masters programme encourages critical and creative thinking, teamwork and communication, and develops a diverse range of professional attributes which equip graduates to excel in the accounting profession and to adopt leadership positions in their professional lives.
The MSc in Accounting at DCU not only provides students with generous CAP 2 exemptions but goes above and beyond to equip students with a varied skill set; including the ability to think outside the box, how to analyse situations from many different perspectives, communicate effectively and play an influential role in a team based environment.
While the material and work load is both challenging and intense, the DCU MSc in Accounting for me, proved to be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable of my years at college. The small class sizes enabled greater class interaction and communication on a one to one basis.
The teaching staff are excellent and are always available to support students throughout the year. Overall, the programme provides students with a great platform to learn from and a superb foundation for their future careers.
Because all students come from similar backgrounds, it has been possible to design the MSc in Accounting so that it encompasses both professional and conceptual material.
Students are trained to prepare financial statements for a range of business entities at an advanced level in accordance with IFRSs/IASs and current professional and legal requirements in International Financial Accounting & Analysis, while interpret such financial statements and report thereon. Advanced Management Accounting seeks to integrate the study of management accounting with the study of strategy, behavioural science and organisation theory and bring students' knowledge of the principles and practice of management accounting to an advanced level. The objective of Corporate and Investment Finance is to equip the corporate manager with the tools and techniques available to create value from the firms financing and investment decisions. Special emphasis is placed on long-term managerial policies and the relevance of corporate finance to the accountant.
Auditing and Professional Ethics familiarises students with the regulatory framework of, and the principles underlying auditing and to gain an understanding of modern auditing procedures while Assurance Services: Theory and Practice furthers develop students' knowledge of current issues and recent developments in auditing and provide an extensive grounding in the contemporary issues within auditing.
Capital Taxes builds advanced knowledge of Irish capital tax law, in areas such as capital gains tax, stamp duty and capital acquisition tax. Students will be equipped to identify and apply the relevant taxation rules and regulations for companies in the Corporation Tax module. Both modules will provide a detailed understanding of the legislative framework, rules, regulations and practice of taxation in Ireland.
Current issues of concern to a range of professional accountants, business and not for profit professionals are examined in the Business & Social Environment module. Professionals from a range of disciplines and industries will give their unique perspectives on the areas above.
Finally, students will undertake a Research & Professional Portfolio. The aim of the portfolio is to give students an understanding of the processes involved in undertaking social science research with a particular emphasis on research in accounting.
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Dublin City University has forged a reputation as Ireland's University of Enterprise, through its strong, active links with academic, research and industry partners both at home and overseas.
Our solid industry relationships have allowed us to instil an enterprising culture into our postgraduate courses which has resulted in DCU Business School’s reputation as being Ireland’s most innovative business school.
We provide a unique learning environment where students are encouraged to develop their creativity and skills as innovators.
The quality of our teaching, our small class sizes, our high levels of industry engagement make us stand out, and have been recognised by AACSB, the oldest and most prestigious global accrediting body for business schools.
DCU graduates are highly sought after in the job market, with many going on to pursue management and leadership roles in organisations both at home and abroad.
The MSc in Accounting at DCU not only provides students with generous CAP 2 exemptions but goes above and beyond to equip students with a varied skill set; including the ability to think outside the box, how to analyse situations from many different perspectives, communicate effectively and play an influential role in a team based environment.
While the material and work load is both challenging and intense, the DCU MSc in Accounting for me, proved to be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable of my years at college. The small class sizes enabled greater class interaction and communication on a one to one basis.
The teaching staff are excellent and are always available to support students throughout the year. Overall, the programme provides students with a great platform to learn from and a superb foundation for their future careers.
Graduates of the MSc in Accounting are exempt from all subjects in the CAP2 Examination of Chartered Accountants Ireland. To qualify as chartered accountants, graduates of the programme will be required to pass the Institute's Final Admitting Examination and to serve a training contract of three years.
Graduates are typically employed by the leading international accounting firms, who go on to great success in their professional examinations. Frequent employers of our graduates include Accenture, Deloitte, EY, Grant Thornton, JP Morgan, KPMG and PwC.
Requirements
For admission to the M.Sc. in Accounting candidates must hold –
- A 2.1 Honours degree in Accounting (or in a Business degree with a significant specialism in Accounting), or international equivalent, together with full exemption from the CAP1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland;
OR
- A credit award in a Professional Diploma in Accounting together with full exemption from the CAP1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
- Applicants who have achieved a 2.2 Honours degree in Accounting (or in a Business degree with a significant specialism in Accounting), or a Pass award in a Professional Diploma in Accounting (or equivalent), may still obtain a place. This will depend on availability of places and on obtaining high grades in core Accounting modules (Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation and Finance) in your programme.
- Candidates who have not received their degree results by the application closing date will receive conditional offers.
NOTE : It is a condition of admission to this programme that applicants are fully exempt from CAP 1 examinations of Chartered Accountants Ireland. All applicants must apply directly to Chartered Accountants Ireland for exemption and provide the University with a certificate of exemption from Chartered Accountants Ireland. A list of Chartered Accountants Ireland accredited courses is available on the Chartered Accountants Ireland website. The deadline for exemption applications to the Institute is normally the end of July (you should check this with the Institute to be sure). Failure to produce proof of CAP 1 exemptions on joining the programme may result in withdrawal of your place on the programme.
International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. More information about English language requirements for DCU Business School can be found here.