Accountant Jobs in Ireland: Opportunities, Salaries & How to Get Hired

Overview: Accountant Job Market in Ireland

Ireland’s economy supports a broad range of accounting roles—from audit and tax in public practice to financial reporting, management accounting and FP&A in corporate settings. Dublin remains the largest centre, hosting Big Four firms, international banks, and tech headquarters, but regional cities such as Cork, Galway and Limerick also offer strong opportunities. Demand is driven by continued foreign direct investment, regulatory complexity, and digital transformation: many employers want accountants who can combine core technical skills with data analysis and systems knowledge. Roles can range from graduate trainee accountant and financial accountant to senior management and CFO positions, with many companies offering hybrid or remote work arrangements.

Qualifications, Salaries and In-Demand Skills

Typical qualifications for accountant jobs in Ireland include Chartered Accountant (ICA Ireland), ACCA, Chartered Certified Accountant, and CPA credentials—each respected by employers depending on the role. Professional tax or audit specialisms (e.g., Chartered Tax Adviser) are valuable for niche roles. Graduate or entry-level salaries commonly start around €28,000–€40,000; experienced accountants usually earn €45,000–€70,000, while senior managers and finance leads can command €70,000–€120,000+ depending on sector and company size. Note that Dublin salaries tend to be 10–20% higher to reflect living costs. Key in-demand skills include financial reporting (IFRS/GAAP), corporate tax knowledge, VAT compliance, audit procedures, advanced Excel, Power BI/Tableau, ERP experience (SAP, Oracle), and cloud accounting packages (Xero, Sage). Soft skills such as communication, commercial awareness and stakeholder management are equally important. Non-EU applicants should also consider visa and work-permit requirements; many employers will sponsor skilled hires for in-demand accounting roles.

How to Find and Land Accountant Jobs in Ireland

Use a mix of channels: job boards (IrishJobs.ie, Jobs.ie, Indeed, LinkedIn), specialist recruitment agencies (e.g., Hays, Morgan McKinley, Robert Walters), and direct company applications. For Dublin roles, target Big Four graduate programmes, corporate finance teams in multinationals, and fintechs that frequently list vacancies. Tailor your CV and LinkedIn profile to highlight measurable achievements (e.g., reconciliations completed, process improvements, systems implementations) and include keywords from job ads to pass applicant tracking systems. Networking—attending accounting events, local ICAI/ACCA meetups, and alumni gatherings—remains an effective way to uncover unadvertised roles. Prepare for interviews by practicing technical questions (financial statements, tax scenarios), case studies, and behavioural examples that show leadership and problem-solving. Consider short courses or certifications in data analytics or cloud accounting to strengthen your profile. Finally, set up job alerts and build relationships with recruiters to stay informed