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International Accounting and Analytics (MSc)
Exemptions
 
SAP Certified
 
ACCA Accelerate
 
Course Overview
Advance your accounting career with the MSc in International Accounting and Analytics. Develop insights, and technical knowledge of tools and techniques for driving organisational performance, and understanding of corporate finance theory and practice. Participate in SAP certification courses through our strategic alliance with SAP. Gain an understanding of and expertise in accounting and business analytics through taught modules and our practitioner led Summer School.
Pathway A: Business Graduates who have not Specialised in Accountancy
*September Intake
This is an intensive 10-11 month degree programme for high calibre business related/ commerce graduates who have not specialised in accounting and who now wish to pursue a professional career in Accounting.
Our team of academics and practitioners provide in-depth practical and research grounded knowledge of key areas in today’s business environment. This post-graduate programme is taught over two semesters and is followed by two summer schools in May/June. This final element of the programme provides an important capstone to the technical skills you will have developed over the course of the first two semesters.
It is expected that students taking the year-long programme starting in September will secure substantial exemption from the examinations of the ACCA. As a graduate of this MSc in International Accounting and Analytics you will be exempt from papers F1, F2, F3, F5, F7, F8 and F9 of the ACCA. Click here for the CPA Exemptions.
Pathway B: Early - Mid Career Accountants
*January Intake
Reflecting the increased importance of analytics for many different accounting careers, this programme is designed to provide early and mid-career accountants with the skills and knowledge needed to engage with big data in a variety of roles in practice and industry.
This is an ideal master’s programme if you are already qualified with an IFAC member professional accountancy body (e.g. ICAI, ACCA, CPA Ireland, CIMA, Institute of Chartered Accountants India (ICA India), CPA Australia (Certified Practising Accountants Australia), the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMA Pakistan), CIPFA) and looking to build your professional qualifications. This unique programme offers, through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), 50% (45 credits) of the 90 credits for a taught master's course to fully exam-qualified professional accountants.
Our team of academics and practitioners provide in-depth practical and research grounded knowledge of key areas in today’s business environment. This post-graduate programme is taught over one semester and is followed by two summer schools in May/June. This final element of the programme provides an important capstone to the technical skills you will have developed over the course of the first two semesters.
- Programme, Exemptions and modular details are subject to ratification.
The MSc (International Accounting & Analytics) class are pictured with Laurence May (KPMG Director), Darina Barrett (KPMG Financial Services Partner) and Prof Breeda Sweeney at a 30% Club event that took place on campus which was sponsored by KPMG.
Mr. Damien Flanagan, Director R&D Incentives and Capital Allowances Practice KPMG delivering seminar to Masters of Accounting students “Research in Practice: The KPMG Innovation Monitor”
Non EU Students: 24 Month Stay Back Option
Applications and Selections
Who Teaches this Course
Summer School (i) International Academic
Summer School (ii) Big 4 Practitioner Focussed
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
A first class or second class honours grade 1 in a commerce/business degree or a GPA of 3.5 (out of 4) will be required, which must have included the study of Financial Accounting and Management Accounting and Business Finance to intermediate level.
Find out more about Pathway APathway A
Pathway A
Full professional exam qualification from a recognised professional accountancy body: ACCA, ICAI, CPA, ICAS, ICAEW, CIPFA and CIMA or other IFAC member body assessed as equivalent by the Programme Director.
All applicants, whose first language is not English, must present one of the following qualifications in the English language: IELTS (6.5 overall), TOEFL (88), or PTE (61).
Find out more about Pathway B.
Additional Requirements
Duration
Pathway A: 10 / 11months
Pathway B: 7 months
Next start date
Pathway A: September 2018 Pathway B: January 2019
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
18
Closing Date
Next start date
Pathway A: September 2018 Pathway B: January 2019
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
Award
CAO
PAC code
Pathway A: GYC40
Pathway B: GYC41
Course Outline
Semester 1 (Pathway A)
- Accounting for Management
- Intermediate Corporate Finance
- Auditing & Assurance 1
- International & Cross Cultural Management
- Intermediate International Financial Reporting
Semester 2 (Pathways A & B)
- Accounting for Management Control
- Advanced Corporate Finance
- Auditing & Assurance 2
- Data Science and Big Data Analytics
- Business Intelligence with SAP
- Advanced International Financial Reporting
Summer School (Pathways A & B)
- Audit and Accounting in the 21st Century: Data & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Related Technological Tools
- Management of Organizational Performance
Module Details for Pathway A
Module Details for Pathway B
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Recognising the importance of analytics skills for accountants, the recent ICAS and FRC report on Auditor skills in a changing business world (2016) called for educators to include practical courses on data interrogation and analytics. Our new MSc is the first programme of its kind in UK and Irish Universities to offer practical hands-on modules in SAP and audit analytics tools for accountants.
Our professional development programme which runs throughout the programme is designed to provide support for career development and offers a suite of events including an advisory panel of qualified accountants to discuss careers in accounting, one-to-one career support, guest lectures from practice and industry visits to global leaders in high tech industries such as medical technologies and IT.
As a graduate of the MSc. in International Accounting and Analytics you will have access to a wide range of employment opportunities in: Accounting, Industry, Management Consultancy and Financial Services.
You will have developed an understanding of cutting edge design and use of systems and processes to leverage best use of organisational data to facilitate performance management of business organisations. Coupled with your technical accounting skills you will be well positioned to work within the accounting function and management team to lead and manage organisations to achieve their strategic objectives.
Key Feature of the Programme
Key features of the programme include an internationally recognised and valued SAP Certification, KPMG led Summer School on Audit and Accounting Analytics using KPMG analytics software, the development of professional skills for the workplace, and membership of the coveted ACCA Accelerate Programme which offers specialist networking advice, CV workshops and professional profile guides, and access to the global ACCA community.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
Find out More
T +353 91 492 308
E emma.brinton@nuigalway.ie
What Our Students Say

Zhang Xiaolin | Master of Accounting
The subjects in this Master of Accounting programme are very appropriate for your future career. You get to develop and practice your presentation and research skills through various assignments. From the programme, you will not only acquire knowledge but you will also develop an ability to solve real world problems. There is a good mix of international and national students in the class. The group work on various courses allowed me to experience working on problems with students from different cultural backgrounds. Staff are all very professional and friendly. The staff know that as an international student you live far away from your family and friends and they try to help and encourage you.

Alphonsa Cherukodath | Master of Accounting
This programme has helped me to gain practical knowledge through problem solving in the various accounting and finance modules. It has made me more professionally competent as a result of the presentations, case study analysis and debates that are all part of the programme. The teaching faculty of the programme are very professional and all have industry experience which helps me to understand the topics more easily. Galway is a diversified city with very good infrastructural facilities and people are very friendly. The weather in the city was a completely new experience, but I have adjusted!"

Hanhuz Wang | Current Master of Accounting Student
Courses arranged in this programme are essential and helpful for my future career in accountancy. I like that this study year is a challenge for me. I believe the year will help me develop my professional knowledge and skills and will greatly improve my job prospects. All staff teaching on this programme have excellent professional knowledge and teaching skills. They are nice, enthusiastic and helpful to me. I enjoy being here and am having a really good time in Galway. I regard Galway as my second hometown.
What Employers Say

Laurence May | Principal, KPMG
We are in an age where more data is being created faster than ever before, with less than 1% of data ever being used or analysed. Therefore, the ability to analyse and use this data is a key challenge for all professions, including audit and accounting. The summer school is a mix of lectures and practical breakout sessions where participants will see how KPMG uses its Data & Analytics tools to harness the power of technology and bring greater vigour, precision and meaningful insights to the increasing age of data

Liz Hughes | Head Association of Chartered Certified Accountants ACCA
The good news is that when you join the new MSc (International Accounting & Analytics) at NUIG you automatically become part of the ACCA Accelerate programme, ACCA’s early entry programme to becoming a chartered certified finance professional. Accelerate allows you to leap ahead on your journey to becoming qualified, and provides additional benefits such as discounted exemptions and access to ACCA’s professional network, supplying you with invaluable career advice and support before you even graduate.

Conor Clifford | Director of Finance Medtronic
"Analytics is the key skill that differentiates an accountant from a true business partner, and can ultimately define the career of an accountant as analytics brings more meaning, life and understanding into accounting information".

Marie Joyce | Chief Financial Officer, NTR plc
The finance function is a key driver of analytics and plays a leadership role rather than a supporting role.

Brian Healy | Director, Traded Markets, Development, Operations Irish Stoc
The well established and proven advantages which a strong finance function brings to a business will need to be reimagined and adapted to the requirements of big data, the burgeoning of digital channel transactions and the increased demand for real-time and predictive analytics. This must complement more traditional financial and management accounting reporting. The accountant of the future can play as vital a role in high performing business as he/she does today but that will involve a transformed relationship with analytics and key aspects of "Platform 4.0" such as adaptive technology and artificial intelligence