“Don’t worry it will all add up”
Accounting
While the Junior Certificate Business Studies Course provides a foundation for Accounting, it is not essential and it is possible to take it up at senior cycle.
The Accounting course is numerically based but theory and procedures are also covered. The course offers a hard working student a real possibility of high grades.
Accounting is sometimes perceived as a difficult subject in which it may be difficult to achieve a high grade. However Accounting is a fantastic subject and the results show approximately one fifth of Higher Level students can achieve an A grade. The subject, Accounting is very precise and the answers required are clear. Preparation and practice will guarantee a satisfactory return in terms of grades.
The syllabus consists of the following sections:
Accounting Records
Sole Traders
Company Accounting
Specialised Accounts
Cash Flow Statements
Analysis and Interpretation of Financial Statements
Management Accounting
The Examination
The Leaving Certificate Accounting Examination lasts for three hours with total marks of 400. There are three sections to the paper.
Section 1
Financial Accounting (120 marks) comprises of 4 questions. Students must answer either Question 1 or two questions from Q2, Q3, and Q4. Question 1 is worth 120 marks, or two questions worth 60 marks each. This section makes up 30% of the total examination.
Question 1 is the most popular option and students perform well.
Section 2
Financial Accounting (100 marks) comprises of three questions and students are required to answer two out of three questions. This section makes up 50% of the total examination.
Section 3
Management Accounting (80 marks) comprises of two questions and students are required to answer one out of two questions. This section makes up 20% of the total examination.
Career Prospects
Accountancy and Taxation
Working mainly in business, recording details of financial transactions and providing advice on financial and tax matters.
Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations
Creating advertising, managing marketing campaigns, and ensuring that a company is always seen in the best possible light.
Financial Industry
Providing services to the public and business through banking, insurance, fund management and other forms of financial services.
Business Organisation and Business Management
Involved in the running of a business, helping it grow and develop, operate efficiently, meet business objectives and manage its workforce.
Clerical and Administration
Working in an office and being involved in the day to day running of a business.
Sales, Retail and Purchasing
All forms of work directly involved in the delivery of products and services to the marketplace.
Transport and Logistics
Transporting goods and people, the infrastructure (roads, rail etc.) that make this possible, and the services that are required to maintain operations every minute of every day.