CPA Ireland has launched a new syllabus, Ready to Face the Future of Accounting, which will be rolled out to all students in September 2020.
While developing the syllabus, CPA Ireland undertook research to gain insight into the future of finance and to understand the future needs of businesses and employers.
CPA Ireland acknowledged that as automation and technology continue to drive changing business models, the role of accountants and auditors needs to rapidly evolve and adapt.
To reflect this, the syllabus addresses the impact of emerging and disruptive technologies, including AI, blockchain, Fintech among others, through the introduction of these topics across various subjects on the syllabus and through the introduction of an elective subject at the final level – Data Analytics for Finance.
Sustainability Reporting has also been introduced to both of CPA Ireland’s final level compulsory subjects, Advanced Financial Reporting and Strategy and Leadership, with the aim of increasing increase sustainability reporting among corporates.
The syllabus still retains at its centre the core accounting skills however, CPA students may specialise at their final level in a combination of finance, audit, tax or data analytics.
