Save up to 30% on our Bookkeeping & Payroll course
Save up to 30% on our Bookkeeping & Payroll course
Choose Your Start Date
Browse our live classes, delivered online or on campus
Secure your place by paying in full or availing of our payment plan. For Part-time, on demand and on campus courses, pay in three equal interest-free instalments. For full-time Bootcamps enrol with a 50% deposit and the rest at the course start date. T&C's apply.
Why UCD Professional Academy?
- Valuable, trusted certification
- Industry expert lecturers
- Flexible learning options
Bookkeeping & Payroll Course Modules
Discover the vital financial tasks that support every business: bookkeeping and payroll. Master essential bookkeeping practices, understand & create financial statements, and payroll management.
To survive and thrive, a business requires accurate financial records and compliant employee remuneration. You will discover how these two elements are managed within the relevant Irish legal and tax frameworks. On the bookkeeping side, you will understand how to manage ledgers, balances, and statements (for example, financial and cash flow statements). On the payroll side, you will learn about PAYE, calculating tax credits, and setting up new employees.
Or browse our wide range of expert-led online courses and grow your career potential today.
1. Bookkeeping: Introduction
Discover the world of bookkeeping through its basic concepts and language.
- Basic concepts
- Terminology
- Source documents
- Day books/books of prime entry
2. Bookkeeping: Double Entry
Discover why ‘double entry’ is one of the most important foundational concepts in bookkeeping and how it helps to ensure that a company’s accounts remain balanced.
- Double entry concepts
- Ledgers and closing balances
- Ledgers balances to trial balance
3. Bookkeeping: Financial Statements
Learn about financial statements and how they provide insights into a company’s financial health and business activities.
- Introduction to financial statements
- Trial balance to financial statements
- Financial statements - explanation and interpretation
4. Bookkeeping: Financial Statements & Statements Of Cash Flow
Explore how cash flow statements link to other financial statements.
- Financial reporting framework
- Cash flow statements
- The importance of cash
5. Bookkeeping: Financial Reporting & Computerised Finance Systems
Learn how using accounting software systems makes it easier to produce outputs such as financial reports. Explore reporting using Sage 50.
- Financial reporting systems
- Financial reporting using Sage 50
- Outputs: reports, downloads, etc.
6. Bookkeeping: The Finance Function Of An Organisation
Discover how an SME finance department works and how financial information flows into other areas of business management.
- The finance function of an organisation
- Strategic financial management
- Sources of finance
7. Payroll: Introduction
Discover how the payroll process works, as well as the legal and tax implications of paying salaries.
- Introduction to the payroll process
- Payroll terminology and legislation
- Employment contracts
8. Payroll: The Payroll Process
Discover what new obligations an employer has since Ireland’s PAYE Modernisation in January 2019, and how reporting is managed through Revenue Online Services (ROS).
- PAYE: tax credits and SRCOP
- PRSI and USC
- PAYE modernisation
9. Payroll: Computerised Payroll Using Thesaurus Software
Learn how computerised payroll systems work. Set up a new company and payroll in a computerised system (Thesaurus Software).
- Introduction to computerised payroll
- Installation process
- Reporting and PAYE modernisation
10. Payroll: Entering Employee Information
Set up new employees, pay codes, and deduction codes in a computerised system.
- Setting up a company
- Setting up employees
- Tax, USC, and PRSI details
11. Payroll: Entering Payroll Information
Learn how to manage employee timesheets and produce payslips.
- Entering employee timesheets (weeks 1 - 2)
- Entering employee timesheets (weeks 3 - 4)
- Entering employee timesheets
- Payslips
12. Payroll: Computerised Payroll Process - Reports and Backup
Learn how to run different payroll reports and how to keep payroll data safe.
- Entering employee timesheets (weeks 5 - 8)
- Gross to net report
- Earnings, tax and PRSI
- Backup and security
Access to thousands of journals, articles and papers. Free of charge.
Students taking part in this course will now have access to the EBSCO Online Library, free of charge, for the full duration of the course. Here you can browse thousands of relevant journals, articles and other reliable academic and commercial texts like the Harvard Business Review, Bloomberg Businessweek and Forbes Magazine, to supplement your learning and assignments.
Download BrochureWe've trained the employees of
Relevant skills for your team, results for you.
Whether you’re interested in making your training budget work harder with volume discounts across our standard portfolio, or have bespoke training needs to be addressed, we’ll help you level up. Our team of upskilling experts are ready to take the pain out of meeting your training targets.
Talk to our expertsFrequently Asked Questions
Is this course right for me?
This course is suitable for those just starting out and professionals in a junior finance role. You will learn the hands-on principles and terminology of bookkeeping using mostly spreadsheets, tables, and paper (rather than a specific accounting solution). Practical payroll scenarios will be worked on using Thesaurus Software and a simulated Revenue Online Services (ROS) interaction. Students should be comfortable reading and interpreting tabulated numerical information, as well as performing basic mathematical operations such as calculating percentages.
Please note that while our On Demand version features 10 units for flexible learning, it covers the same comprehensive content as the 12-unit part-time option.
Learners must have a computer, broadband connection, and audio capable of running Zoom sessions. The second part of the course will require learners to install Thesaurus Payroll Manager, or have access to the software. Learners must ensure that they have permissions to install software on their computers. Please note this software is only compatible with Windows 10 and 11. It is the learner's responsibility to ensure they have access to a Windows 10+ PC for this part of the course.
How will this course help with my career?
Accurate bookkeeping and payroll are the foundation of a well-run business. If you are interested in pursuing a career in financial management or HR, this course provides the vital first step. After just 12 weeks, you will be well-versed in financial management concepts and understand how an SME finance department works. You will understand the bookkeeping process and how financial information supports strategic decisions, plus have hands-on experience of a modern payroll system. This course would also suit business owners looking to upskill.
What is the learning experience like?
Many of our courses are now available in a variety of formats. All formats cover the same course content. You now have more choice in how you learn with us:
Live Online
Our online experience is designed to be just as interactive, supportive, and inspiring as the UCD Professional Academy campus experience.
Online courses can be accessed from any computer or laptop with an internet connection.
Live lectures are delivered using Zoom. During these lectures, your teachers will use technology interactively to ensure an engaging learning experience. When appropriate, students will be encouraged to activate their microphones so that they can ask questions and communicate with other students.
On Campus
UCD Professional Academy is delighted to welcome learners back on the UCD Belfield Campus. On Campus courses are delivered in-person with our industry experts in the O'Brien Science building.
On Demand
On Demand courses enable you to complete your course on your own schedule. Course modules are delivered in the form of one “lesson”. The lesson is broken up into short videos followed by activities designed to put the new information and concepts into practice through exercises, quizzes, forum participation and other activities.
What is the student experience like?
Student care is a high priority at UCD Professional Academy, which is why our Student Services team is on hand to support you throughout your time with us. They will respond to any queries you have, help you with any technical issues, and facilitate your learning experience at every point. All students are given access to our Student Portal, where you can see your timetable, access all your study materials, and manage your account.
How is this course assessed?
This course is assessed through continuous assessment quizzes, exercises, and a final practical assessment using payroll software to process employee information.
What are the benefits of a Professional Academy Diploma?
UCD Professional Academy Diplomas and Certificates are designed to give your career an advantage. Developed in conjunction with industry thought leaders our courses teach practical, applied skills to support you to achieve your career and business goals. Professional Academy Diplomas are suitable for career minded learners wishing to advance their professional skills and prospects rather than their academic credentials.
The Professional Academy is an independent wholly owned part of UCD designed to address the need for skills development in the workforce. Courses tend to be short, designed and delivered by industry practitioners, and are not part of nor do they lead to a traditional University award such as a degree or a masters. They are widely accepted by employers and many students are sponsored to study by their organisation.
For full details of UCD Professional Academy’s Certifications & Governance please visit https://www.ucd.ie/professionalacademy/governance/
How do I get my Professional Academy Diploma?
Your UCD Professional Academy Diploma will be issued electronically on a secure platform, with a link that you can share with employers and others wishing to verify your credentials. You can also add this certificate to your LinkedIn profile.
What payment options are available?
You can secure your spot on most of our Live Online, On-Campus, or On-Demand courses with a low 30% deposit. The remaining balance can be paid in two equal instalments (30 and 60 days later).
For full-time Bootcamp courses, you can secure your spot with a 50% deposit, with the remaining balance due prior to the start of your course.
Please note that standard terms and conditions apply, which you can review here: https://www.ucd.ie/professionalacademy/terms-and-conditions/