New qualification standards set for foreign accountants

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Ireland’s Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation now requires proof of qualifications of foreign professionals applying for employment permits.

What does the change mean? Foreign professionals are reminded that they must prove that their certification or degree is approved by a relevant Irish professional body. Accountants, for example, must show that their educational degree or membership in an institute of Certified Public Accountants is recognized by one of nine designated Irish bodies.

• Implementation time frame: The new standards were first introduced Oct. 1 and are ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Employment permits.
• Who is affected: Foreign accountants and other professionals in designated fields.
• Impact on processing times: Applicants should factor in additional preparation time to obtain evidence of their qualifications.
• Business impact: The rule adds new evidentiary and documentary requirements for accountants and other professionals.
• Next steps: Accountants should submit a copy of their CPA certificate as proof of their membership in the relevant professional body.

Background: As of Oct. 1, the DJEI began to require that foreign professionals applying for employment permits demonstrate that their qualifications are recognized by certain designated Irish regulatory bodies or government ministers.

Accountants applying for employment permits must show that their educational degree or membership in an institute for CPAs is recognized by one of the following Irish regulatory bodies:

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Association of International Accountants
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland
Institute of Incorporated Public Accountants

BAL Analysis: Companies sponsoring accountants and other professionals for Employment Permits are reminded to fulfill these new requirements as part of their applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in the United Kingdom. For additional information, please contact uk@bal.com.

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