To celebrate Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week 2024, NIAO Trainee Siubhán Ní Chiaráin has written a blog, talking about her experience as a Trainnee at the Northern Ireland Audit Office.
The Accounting Technician apprenticeship is a great opportunity to get an insight into accountancy and gain knowledge and skills in accounting and finance. My apprenticeship journey started when my mum came across a newspaper article about the accounting technician apprenticeship which was published during the Apprenticeship Week in 2021. I had never considered accountancy up to this point as I associated it with complex mathematics and theory however, the content covered and knowledge and skills I gained are very relevant and useful for everyday life. The apprenticeship allows you to ‘earn while you learn’ as well as gaining practical ‘on the job’ experience which is invaluable when starting your career. The Accounting Technician programme consists of working in a finance-based organisation for four days a week and attending classes one day a week. I was initially apprehensive about juggling a new job and studying but I was assigned a mentor, and I had a supportive team as well as a Learning and Development officer.
At the end of the two-year course, I gained a Level 5 Accounting Technician Diploma. This qualification has provided many opportunities for me. This has granted me the opportunity to further my qualification and I am now studying for the chartered accountancy exams.