Markethill’s Matthew takes road less travelled to accounting career

Matthew Henry (24) from Markethill quit university after one year of a computer science degree course to explore other options.

He is now on his way to becoming a fully qualified accountant thanks to a stellar performance as an Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) Higher-Level apprentice.

The two-year programme allows students work, earn and learn and is set to create 170 jobs in Northern Ireland this year. Graduates qualify as accounting technicians.

“School leavers are often funnelled down the university route because no other option is presented,” said Matthew.

“I quickly found university was not for me, so decided to take time out to work and explore other options.”

Apprenticed to local firm Wylie Ruddell Chartered Accountants under the programme, Matthew uses exemptions gained from his Accounting Technicians Ireland Apprenticeship Diploma in his further studies to become a fully qualified accountant.

The Apprenticeship, a funded, work-based learning programme, sees locally placed apprentices earn at least the national living wage and above.

Applications are now open for the Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) Higher-Level Apprenticeship which starts in September 2024, and is delivered through regional colleges across Northern Ireland.

Matthew completed the Apprenticeship through Southern Regional College, Newry. It is open to school leavers, A-level students, career-changers and mature learners alike.

“I wanted to use my time after university to explore other options and worked at a local furniture store, Alexander’s of Markethill. Looking back, this helped me develop key skills around communication, team work and problem solving.”

Under the ATI programme, Matthew spent four days a week in the offices of Wylie Ruddell with the fifth spent studying at Southern Regional College, Newry.

“Wylie Ruddell is a small to medium sized practice which allowed me gain experience in all areas of accounting. My day to day work went hand-in-hand with the material we covered in class, which allowed me apply that knowledge straight away.

“Having first-hand experience of particular tasks helped in exams. The ATI Higher-Level Apprenticeship was fantastic for me. If I had known I could get a highly respected qualification and two years of experience, with no debt, I would have applied much sooner.

“In my studies to become a fully qualified accountant, I am now at a similar stage to someone who has been at university for three years, with two years’ work experience under my belt.

“ATI has amazing staff who are always on hand to help, and coming into exam season, Wylie Ruddell gave me three weeks’ study leave. All these aspects gave me the perfect platform to succeed.

“I have recommended the Apprenticeship to many as an alternative to university. You get a very well-regarded qualification with no debt and open the path to become a fully qualified accountant, all the while getting paid and gaining experience. It is also a great course for anyone looking to change career.”

The Accounting Technicians Ireland Higher-Level Apprenticeship provides an alternative for school leavers who prefer practical training to full-time college, or those who may have embarked on a university course and found it did not suit them.

It is also an attractive option for existing employees and mature learners who want to pursue accounting.

Large firms and smaller practices, as well as industry and the public sector, have all embraced the programme.

According to Pat Maunsell, Director of Education at Accounting Technicians Ireland, the Apprenticeship enables employers to recruit and upskill staff in a cost-effective manner as training fees are covered by the Department for the Economy.

“Accounting Technicians Ireland is pleased our apprenticeship contributes towards job creation and business growth in Northern Ireland,” he said.

“Since the programme’s foundation in 2014, the Higher-Level Apprenticeship in Accounting has been the source of almost 1,000 jobs in Northern Ireland.

“Each year, more employers sign up and we now partner with over 200 employers across 19 sectors.”

"The Accounting Technicians Ireland Apprenticeship has been a huge success for us,” said Gillian Noonan, Finance Manager at fibre broadband wholesalers, Siro.

“Apprentices gain valuable knowledge during their study, but also experience, through working at the same time.”

For more details, see accountingtechniciansireland.ie