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Accreditation This programme carries accreditation from the CPD Certification Service, the internationally recognised body that independently verifies the quality and relevance of professional development. Structured to align with the demands of a working professional, it leads to the award of a digital CPD certificate. |
Build your accounting career with Sage Accounts & Payroll. Every organisation depends on professionals who can manage financial records accurately, process payroll efficiently, and support day-to-day business operations with confidence. The CPD Bookkeeping & Payroll Professional Certificate at Dorset College Dublin provides a practical, accessible pathway into modern financial administration for professionals with no prior finance experience.
Delivered live online by an industry professional currently working in the field, the course explores double-entry bookkeeping, payroll processing, VAT returns, bank reconciliation, financial reporting, and Irish payroll administration using Sage Accounting and Sage Payroll, the industry-standard tools used by employers across Ireland. Learning is practical and workplace-focused, allowing participants to develop real-world bookkeeping and payroll skills that can be applied immediately in professional environments.
On completion, graduates receive a digital CPD-verified professional credential and begin a recognised progression pathway leading towards qualifications including AAT Level 2, AAT Level 3, and ultimately ACCA Fundamentals.
WHERE THIS COURSE TAKES YOU
This certificate is the first step in a globally recognised accounting and finance certification pathway.
STEP 1
CPD Bookkeeping & Payroll Professional Certificate, Dorset College Dublin
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STEP 2 RECOMMENDED
AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
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STEP 3 RECOMMENDED
AAT Level 3 Certificate in Accounting
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STEP 4 RECOMMENDED
ACCA Fundamentals, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
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 Digital CPD-verified Bookkeeping & Payroll Professional Certificate to your LinkedIn profile, and CV.
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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
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Talk to our admissions team on WhatsApp or download the full course brochure.
✓ 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.
• Independently recognised CPD certification
• Recognised for professional development quality
• Demonstrates structured, industry-relevant training
• Valued by employers in Bookkeeping & Payroll
• Practical, job-ready skills for the workplace
• Enhances your professional portfolio
• Submit the online application in 3 minutes
• Photo ID not required to begin your application
• Our team will guide you through the next steps
• Start even if your documents aren't ready yet
• Admissions support at every stage
• Contact us at [email protected]
• Continuous assessment throughout the course
• End of course examination
• Award: CPD Certification in Bookkeeping & Payroll
• Awarded by Dorset College Dublin
• Co-certified by CPD Certification Service UK
• Internationally recognised qualification
• Solid understanding of the bookkeeping process
• How financial data informs strategic decisions
• Hands-on experience using a payroll system
• Ideal for business owners managing finances
• Build confidence in financial management
• Practical, workplace-ready skills
• Accounts Assistant
• Bookkeeper
• Credit Controller
• Finance Assistant
• Junior Payroll Administrator
• Payroll and Bookkeeping Clerk
• Ideal for those interested in computerised accounting
• Suitable for those learning payroll systems
• Strong numeracy skills required
• Strong literacy skills required
• Non-refundable deposit of €150 to secure your place
• Remainder paid across 3 instalments
• Manage payments online at any time
• Flexible online payment facility from home
• Deposit: €150
• 1st Instalment: €316.00 — 21/07/2026
• 2nd Instalment: €316.00 — 21/08/2026
• 3rd Instalment: €316.00 — 21/09/2026
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• 100% online — study from the comfort of your home
• Expert-led, industry-experienced lecturers
• Up-skill or re-skill at your own pace
• All support materials provided to help you succeed
Q1
Do I need any prior experience to enrol?
No prior experience is required. The course is designed for complete beginners and anyone looking to build a career in bookkeeping, payroll, or accounting and finance.
Q2
What certification will I receive?
An internationally recognised digital CPD certification in Bookkeeping & Payroll, independently accredited by The CPD Certification Service UK - trusted by employers across Ireland and internationally.
Q3
How is the course delivered?
100% online via live, expert-led classes every Tuesday evening from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Sessions are interactive, delivered in real time, and recorded for next-day revision.
Q4
How long is the course and when does it start?
14 weeks, commencing 21st July 2026 and concluding 20th October 2026. One evening per week, designed to fit comfortably around full-time work or other commitments.
Q5
What does it cost and are there payment options?
€1,100 after an ongoing 20% discount. A €150 deposit secures your place, with flexible instalments available for the balance. No hidden fees.
Q6
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, and financial reporting.
Q7
How is the course assessed?
Continuous assessment throughout the course, with practical assignments designed to reflect real workplace scenarios in bookkeeping and payroll. No written exams.
Q8
What careers can this course lead to?
Bookkeeper, Payroll Administrator, Accounts Assistant, Finance Officer, and Payroll Technician. Typical starting salaries of €30,000–€45,000 with strong progression as experience and qualifications grow.
Q9
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 receive direct feedback throughout the course.
Q10
Who is this course designed for?
Career changers entering accounting and finance, office administrators looking to upskill, business owners wanting to manage their own finances, and anyone seeking a stable, in-demand professional qualification.
Q11
What makes this course stand out?
Irish-specific content covering Revenue, PAYE, and VAT compliance means you graduate with skills that are immediately applicable in the Irish workplace, backed by a CPD UK certification recognised by employers internationally.
Q12
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form in under three minutes. A €150 deposit secures your place, with flexible instalments available for the remainder of the course fee.
