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Accreditation This programme is accredited by the CPD Certification Service, an internationally recognised body that independently verifies the quality and relevance of professional development training. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a digital CPD-accredited certificate. |
Build a high-value career in financial administration with the CPD-accredited Professional Certificate in Bookkeeping & Payroll at Dorset College Dublin. Every modern organisation relies on skilled professionals with highly sought-after financial capabilities to maintain precise financial records, manage customer and supplier accounts, execute accurate payroll, and drive smooth daily operations.
Designed as a fast-track, accessible gateway into modern finance, this practical programme requires no prior accounting or finance experience to get started. Delivered 100% live online by active industry practitioners, the course builds hands-on skills across essential financial tools and Irish regulatory frameworks.
You will build practical confidence in double-entry bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, VAT returns, and end-of-period financial reporting using market-leading software like Sage Accounting and Sage Payroll. The curriculum focuses heavily on real-world Irish compliance, guiding you step-by-step through statutory tax calculations including PAYE, PRSI, and USC.
As a learner, you also receive premium academic support with complimentary access to the EBSCO Online Library. Upon successful completion, you will earn an internationally recognised digital certificate, awarded by Dorset College Dublin and independently accredited by The CPD Certification Service UK, that validates your workplace readiness to employers. Beyond immediate job opportunities, this course serves as an ideal foundation for further professional development, with progression routes towards the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping, the AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting, and ACCA qualifications.
NEXT INTAKE STARTS TUESDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2026
Enrolment offer – save €275 on this intake
€1,375 €1,100
Discount applied automatically for this intake. Secure your place with a €150 deposit.
WHERE THIS COURSE TAKES YOU
This certificate is the first step towards globally recognised bookkeeping and accounting qualifications.
STEP 1
Professional Certificate in Bookkeeping & Payroll, Dorset College Dublin
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STEP 2 RECOMMENDED NEXT STEP
AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
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STEP 3 RECOMMENDED NEXT STEP
AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting
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STEP 4 RECOMMENDED NEXT STEP
ACCA Applied Knowledge, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Steps 2–4 are external qualifications awarded by AAT and ACCA, taken separately after this course. This programme builds the foundational knowledge that supports progression towards them; external course, membership and exam fees are not included.
KEY SKILLS COVERED IN THIS PROGRAMME
The bookkeeping and payroll skills employers need right now, built around industry-standard Sage software.
✓ Sage Accounting – the industry-standard software used across Ireland.
✓ Sage Payroll – full payroll processing in Sage Payroll.
✓ Double-entry bookkeeping – ledgers, trial balance, and closing.
✓ Irish payroll administration – PAYE, PRSI, and USC compliance.
✓ Revenue & ROS reporting – real-time payroll reporting to Revenue.
✓ VAT returns – prepare and file compliant VAT returns.
✓ Bank reconciliation – reconcile accounts accurately and on time.
✓ Accounts payable & receivable – manage invoices and credit control.
✓ Financial reporting – clear reports for finance teams.
Earn a recognised bookkeeping & payroll credential
Add your CPD-accredited Professional Certificate in Bookkeeping & Payroll to your LinkedIn profile and CV.
Amazing, challenging, and unique. I loved every moment of studying here and am leaving with a course, a network, and a plan for what comes next.
Josue Isai Leonides Tolentino – Dorset College Dublin
Funding Available
Intreo Training Support Grant – up to €1,000
You may be eligible for Training Support Grant (TSG) funding of up to €1,000 towards the cost of the Professional Certificate in Bookkeeping & Payroll. Funding is available to eligible jobseekers and is subject to approval by your Intreo Employment Personal Adviser.
Learn more: Training Support Grant (TSG) on gov.ie
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Classes begin Tuesday 24 November 2026. Reserve your place above with a €150 deposit, or talk to our admissions team on WhatsApp.
✓ Finance function in an organisation — managing resources, monitoring cashflow, and strategic planning.
✓ Manual vs. computerised accounts — differences between traditional paper-based processes and Sage software.
✓ Double-entry bookkeeping — understanding that every transaction has equal debit and credit sides.
✓ Journal entries — recording transactions into journals as the foundation for accurate bookkeeping.
✓ System configuration — tax codes, VAT setup, account status, credit control, and nominal ledger structure.
✓ Customer & supplier setup — creating accounts with credit limits, payment terms, and VAT details.
✓ Products & services setup — entering stock and non-stock items with pricing and VAT in Sage.
✓ Stock purchases & reporting — recording purchases and generating reports to track stock levels.
✓ Purchase orders & supplier invoicing — creating orders, converting to invoices, and recording payments.
✓ Supplier reports — aged creditors, supplier daybooks, and activity reports.
✓ Quotations, sales orders & invoicing — managing the full sales process from quotation to invoice.
✓ Customer reports — aged debtors, customer statements, and sales daybooks.
✓ Customer receipts & supplier payments — recording transactions via cheque, cash, and EFT.
✓ Bank reconciliation — comparing Sage records to bank statements to ensure accuracy.
✓ Chart of accounts — understanding nominal codes grouped under Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss.
✓ Trial balance preparation — posting journals for depreciation, accruals, and prepayments.
✓ Income statement structure — classifying sales, direct expenses, and COGS to calculate gross profit.
✓ Net profit calculation — differentiating direct, distribution, and administration expenses.
✓ Assets, liabilities & equity — classifying fixed and current items and applying the balance sheet formula.
✓ Sage financial reports — generating Trial Balance, P&L, and Balance Sheet in Sage.
✓ PAYE, PRSI & USC — calculating statutory deductions and understanding employer payroll costs.
✓ Manual payroll exercises — calculating gross and net pay using Revenue tax credits and rates.
✓ Employee setup & RPNs — configuring salaried and hourly employees with correct tax and PRSI details.
✓ Full payroll run — processing payroll, producing payslips, generating reports, and preparing bank files.
Do I need any prior experience to enrol?
None. The course is designed for complete beginners and anyone looking to build a career in bookkeeping, payroll, or accounting and finance.
What certification will I receive?
A digital Professional Certificate in Bookkeeping & Payroll, awarded by Dorset College Dublin and independently accredited by The CPD Certification Service UK – trusted by employers in Ireland and internationally.
How is the course delivered?
100% online via live, expert-led classes every Tuesday evening, 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Every class is recorded and available online the next day.
How long is the course and when does it start?
14 weeks, from 24th November 2026 to 9th March 2027, with a two-week break over Christmas and New Year – one evening per week, designed to fit around full-time work.
What does it cost and are there payment options?
€1,100 for this intake – a saving of €275 on the full price of €1,375. A €150 deposit secures your place, with the balance paid in full or split into three instalments. No hidden fees.
What topics will I cover?
Bookkeeping fundamentals, accounts payable and receivable, payroll administration, Irish tax and PAYE compliance, VAT returns and Revenue reporting, bank reconciliation, computerised accounts using Sage, and financial reporting.
How is the course assessed?
Continuous assessment with practical assignments reflecting real workplace scenarios, followed by an end-of-course examination.
What careers can this course lead to?
Roles such as Bookkeeper, Payroll Administrator, Accounts Assistant, Finance Officer, or Payroll Technician, with typical starting salaries in Ireland of €30,000–€45,000 and strong progression as experience grows.
Will I have direct access to a tutor?
Yes. Every session is delivered live by an experienced industry professional – ask questions, work through practical examples, and get direct feedback throughout.
Who is this course designed for?
Career changers entering accounting and finance, office administrators looking to upskill, and business owners wanting to manage their own finances.
• Submit the online application in under 3 minutes
• Photo ID not required to begin your application
• Start even if your documents aren't ready yet
• A €150.00 deposit secures your place on the November intake
• Admissions support at every stage
• Contact us at [email protected]
• Continuous assessment with practical assignments reflecting real workplace scenarios
• End-of-course examination
• Award: Professional Certificate in Bookkeeping & Payroll
• Awarded by Dorset College Dublin – established and trusted since 1983
• Independently accredited by The CPD Certification Service UK – not self-certified
• No prior accounting or finance experience required – open to complete beginners
• Strong numeracy and literacy skills required
• Competence in spoken and written English required
• A computer and reliable internet connection for the live online classes
• Ideal for anyone interested in computerised accounting and payroll systems
• Non-refundable deposit of €150.00 to secure your place
• Balance of €950.00 paid in full or split into 3 monthly instalments from the course start date
• Manage payments online from the comfort of your own home — Pay Online
• 1st Instalment: €317.00 – 24/11/2026
• 2nd Instalment: €317.00 – 24/12/2026
• 3rd Instalment: €316.00 – 24/01/2027
• 100% online – live, expert-led classes one evening per week
• Every class is recorded and available online the next day
• Study from the comfort of your own home
• Expert-led by industry-experienced lecturers
• All support materials provided to help you succeed
