Online Courses

A robust system of recording transactions is the means by which we can ensure that all financial data is captured and that the final accounts can be relied upon and fully reflect all that has happened in any organisation. Double entry bookkeeping is a widely used system of recording transactions and provides the basis for many IT based accounting systems.  The Accounting Fundamentals course will examine in detail the whole bookkeeping process from the beginning of a transaction through to the preparation of a trial balance and will consider journals and corrections. It will also consider how the bookkeeping process sits within an accrual accounting or cash reporting framework.  This is a Specialist-Led Online Course that is designed for those who need a working knowledge of the principles of the double entry bookkeeping system.

Accounting for Civil Service and Vote Funded Bodies is a one-day interactive course that will provide a greater understanding of and familiarity with the various elements of Central Government Accounting and its role within the financial management systems.

Understanding Local Government Finance is a specialist-led online one-day course that is designed to provide participants with a basic understanding of how an Irish Local Authority sources their income to fund day to day expenditure and capital expenditure. The course will also provide participants with an appreciation of how the budget process works in a Local Authority and an understanding of the Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet of a Local Authority. Finally, the course will examine the role of internal and external audit in a local government context.

Published accounts are the backbone of the accountability and reporting system used in the public, semi-state and private sectors. The information contained in these reports is critical for those charged with the responsibility of monitoring agency performance. However, this information is only useful where it can be interpreted accurately and in the correct context.  Understanding the Financial Reports of Public Bodies is a one-day online course that is designed for those who need a basic knowledge of the principles of the financial reporting system, from the nature of the information that goes into published accounts, to understanding what it is the statements actually report. 

This course is intended to introduce the Public Spending Code (PSC) for Capital Projects. The programme will address the commitments to complete the framework for capital projects by identifying the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and taking the participants through the requirements of delivery of each stage of the framework.

Public Servants are faced with increasing expectations, shifting priorities as well as an increasingly complex, ambiguous and uncertain environment. Delivering government strategy requires a capability in project, programme and portfolio management.

This one-day Fundamentals of Programme Management in Government focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities of delivering complex programmes in the public sector. It draws on the unique insight and networks that the IPA brings to public sector project and programme management.

In addition to the management and co-ordination of multiple projects within a programme, programme management aligns projects with the organisation’s goals, maximises project performance and minimises risk. Course content is aligned with the PMI® The Standard for Program Management – Fourth Edition (2017). This is the definitive guide for individuals and organisations wishing to develop their programme management practices.

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner is a highly-interactive, three-day, instructor-led course prepares participants for the PMI-ACP (Project Management Institute-Agile Certified Practitioner) Accreditation; a world-wide recognition of knowledge of Agile principles, practices and tools and techniques across Agile methodologies. If you already use Agile practices or your organisation is adopting Agile methods, earning the PMI-ACP® certification will demonstrate your knowledge of and commitment to this rapidly growing approach to project management. This course covers the topics required for the PMI-ACP certification and includes practical activities related to the Agile Lifecycle. The course is very interactive with real activities related to the Agile Lifecycle activities. The course qualifies for 21 contact hours as required by the PMI for this certification. Price does not include cost of exam and students must book their exam slot with recognised providers.

Participants may choose not to take the exam in which case they will receive an IPA Certificate of Attendance.

This Introduction to Fraud and Control in Organisations webinar will provide an introduction to the concept of fraud and key controls in organisations.  The session will consider the concept of the fraud triangle, the characteristics of fraud and the opportunities that may exist in organisations as well as key elements of an anti fraud policy. The nature and extent of the control environment and control procedures and the role internal control plays in prevention and detection of fraudulent behaviour.

The expectations and obligations on audit committees continue to evolve in response to governance developments and the need for Boards and governing bodies to demonstrate that they are adhering to relevant audit, assurance and risk management requirements. The Audit committee charter will set out the duties of the Audit Committee in areas such as internal control, internal audit, external audit, financial reporting, risk management, reporting relationships within the organisation and its interaction with other committees. This course will be delivered as a two-hour online specialist-led course.

The updated revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies applies from 1 September 2016. This is the key guidance document on the corporate governance expectations of State Bodies and other organisations operating to state body and public sector norms. The Code updates and expands on the previous code with additional guidance on several areas.

State Bodies were given two options in relation to adoption of the provisions of the Code.  For those organisations who chose to adopt for the 2017 year-end, this session provides State Bodies with an ideal opportunity to revisit the key provisions of the Code.  This is a Specialist-Led online course.