It all adds up for Rachel with top marks in respected accounting programme

A County Down-based former charity worker enhanced her career through obtaining one of the top exam marks on the island of Ireland.

Rachel McCoubrey completed the Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma with flying colours over two nights per-week at South Eastern Regional College, Lisburn. The accounting qualification, available locally, is recognised as the fastest pathway to a fulfilling and rewarding career in the profession.  

Over 20 years, Rachel, who lives with her family at Seaforde, near Downpatrick, rose through the ranks of Action MS to become the charity’s finance manager.  Unfortunately, the charity was forced to close due to a lack of funding brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Yorkshire native Rachel, who moved to her husband David’s native Northern Ireland in 1999, now works as Financial Controller at the company he founded, Erth Engineering Ltd.

Rachel said “Although I had been working in a finance role for some time, my experience was specific to the charity sector,

“I wanted to broaden my knowledge, as working in a not-for-profit environment is completely different to working in profit-driven, manufacturing. I needed the confidence which comes with knowing your skills are up-to-date and of industry standard. The Diploma has been ideal. The course was excellent and improved my knowledge of every area."

She added “I would certainly recommend the Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma to anyone working in a finance role. The tutors are excellent and there was great support from fellow students at SERC in Lisburn.  There was a wide variety of people on the course from complete beginners, just leaving school to older, more experienced people, like myself. It’s a well-respected qualification and can be a minimum requirement for many finance roles."

Enrolment for the next academic year, starting in September, is now open, and as well as online, it is also available at the South Eastern Regional Colleges in Lisburn and Bangor.

Accounting Technicians Ireland provides a nationally and internationally recognised accounting qualification, and graduates are employed in industry, commerce, private practice and the public sector. Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma courses are open to school and college leavers, mature students and people working in business, industry or small practice but who, as yet, have no formal training.