Donegal ETB graduate Rachel Cranwell has revealed how she found success in her dream career.

Rachel Cranwell from Ballintra now works as an accounts technician in Magee Clothing in Donegal town after earning a Diploma for Accounting Technicians.

Rachel completed a funded training course with Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) provided by Donegal ETB.

Donegal Education & Training Board (ETB) in Letterkenny is one of 70 colleges in Ireland offering ATI’s flexible courses, which allow learners to obtain the Diploma for Accounting Technicians in as little as two years.

Rachel Cranwell from Ballintra now works as an accounts technician in Magee Clothing in Donegal town after taking the ATI course

Rachel describes the course as second to none:

“I studied the course between 2012 and 2014 as I had to split the second year because I was getting married. They were very flexible and accommodating,” she said.

“My previous jobs were in administration and accounts but I hadn’t any paper to back it up so I decided on the ATI course to get the qualification.

“I would definitely recommend it. It’s no walk in the park but you get huge support from the tutors and extra help if needed.

“The recognition of the course is widespread and known for quality when applying for any job.”

Accounting Technicians are qualified accounting professionals that work at all levels of finance throughout the private and public sector, industry and commerce and in accountancy practices.

ATI’s courses are open to school and college leavers, mature students and those who have been working in industry or small practice firms for years, but have no formal training.

Dozens of graduates in Donegal have completed the qualification through the ETB’s full-time, funded training programme, with many declaring that it was their best career decision.

“It is great to see our learners’ hard work being rewarded with good jobs in accounting,” said Rory Rushe, ATI course co-ordinator at Donegal ETB.

“Learners who come on this course are deeply committed to the programme and their careers – and this is evidenced by success stories like Rachel’s as well as the current crop of learners, who achieved a 100% success rate in their recent exams.”

The Diploma for Accounting Technicians is a highly sought-after qualification and the graduates are part of a “Community of Practice” who get life-long support and training opportunities as Members of ATI.

Many Accounting Technicians go on to further study, with other professional accountancy bodies or to degree level.

“This is a pan-sectoral qualification which meets the needs of industry, practice and the public sector, and graduates enjoy exemptions from the full range of professional accountancy bodies including Chartered Accountants Ireland, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, IIPA as well as Higher Education third level accounting programmes,” said Gillian Doherty, ATI’s Chief Operations Officer.

Donegal ETB will host a walk-in information session on Tuesday, July 25 at 3pm in the training centre, Ballyraine, Letterkenny.

Visit www.donegaletb.ie/accounting for more details on Accounting Technicians Ireland, including the full series of ‘Success Stories’.