LIKE MANY PEOPLE, Lucy Maher did not study business at university and her career started out in IT. She later went on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant through the Flexible Route. Lucy is now working as a Senior Financial Accountant at Google.

The Flexible Route with Chartered Accountants Ireland offers an accessible way in to an amazing career.

Do I need to have an accounting background?

With the chance to study and qualify while you work, people from all types of career backgrounds are availing of this open opportunity.

Engineers, public servants, parents with busy lives and people from diverse backgrounds, have discovered that they can maintain an income while securing a successful future that is filled with benefits.

What kind of money could I earn when I qualify?

According to the latest Chartered Accountants Leinster Society Salary Survey, average salary packages for a Chartered Accountant top €112K.

The rewards are not purely financial either: there’s work/life balance, job satisfaction, and the chance to gain transferable skills that are in demand across practice, business and the public sector. Indeed many Chartered Accountants go on to pursue business ventures of their own.

Will my qualification be recognised abroad?

The Irish Chartered Accountancy qualification with the ACA & FCA designation is highly recognised internationally, in places like the US, UK, Europe, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Zimbabwe, New Zealand and South Africa.

Enrolment for the Flexible Route is now open and you can you can check your eligibility and exemptions online. The deadline for enrolment is September 15. To find out more on how other members secured their success through the Flexible Route, visit our website and hear from our members. You can reach the Chartered Accountants Ireland team by calling 1890, 28 29 28, via live chat online or by email (info@charteredaccountants.ie).