Unprecedented success as Irish students place in global top ten for ACCA exams
In a remarkable demonstration of academic excellence, Irish accountancy students have outshone thousands of peers worldwide in one of the profession’s most demanding examinations. From small towns to major cities, students across Ireland are earning global recognition for their performance in the prestigious ACCA exams. Their exceptional results not only highlight the caliber of Ireland’s educational institutions but also signal the country’s rising influence in the international financial landscape.
From left: Gary O’Shea, Elizabeth Howard, Aoife McWalters and Liina Rae
Date: 13/06/2025
Irish Independent
Page: 23
Ireland is celebrating an extraordinary academic triumph as accountancy students from Mayo, Galway, Kildare, and Louth have been ranked among the best in the world following the latest results from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) exams.
The results, published earlier this month, revealed that a cohort of Irish students not only excelled but placed in the top ten globally across a range of rigorous ACCA papers – a feat rarely matched on the international stage.
Among those recognised were students from renowned institutions such as Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), and Dublin Business School, reflecting the depth of Ireland’s academic strength in accountancy education. Their accomplishments have been widely praised by local media outlets and academic leaders, who described the results as a testament to the country’s growing reputation in financial training and education.
In Mayo, two students from Westport and Castlebar were honoured for their outstanding performance. Speaking to The Connaught Telegraph, one of the students expressed both shock and pride at receiving international recognition: “It’s incredibly rewarding to see our hard work pay off at this level.”
Galway’s success was equally striking, with students from the city also placing in the world’s top ten. Galway Bay FM and the Galway Advertiser highlighted the local celebrations, with teachers and family members praising the dedication and commitment of the students involved.
Kildare added its name to the honours list, with one student from Newbridge earning a top global ranking. As reported by the Leinster Leader and Kildare Now, his achievement has put a national spotlight on both his academic journey and the institutions supporting it.
Meanwhile, Louth also saw one of its brightest minds achieve top-tier global status, with coverage from the Dundalk Democrat and Ireland Live celebrating the student’s success as an inspiration for future accountancy professionals.
These outstanding results arrive at a time when the ACCA qualification continues to be recognised as one of the most rigorous and respected credentials in the financial world. With over 240,000 members and 500,000 students in more than 180 countries, placing in the top tier is no small feat.
As RTÉ reported:
“Ireland is home to some of the best young accounting minds in the world… [These results] place Irish students firmly on the map as future global leaders in finance.”
Commenting on the wave of Irish success, a spokesperson for ACCA Ireland said:
“These students have demonstrated not only academic excellence but resilience, dedication, and the capacity to perform at the highest international standards. Ireland should be immensely proud.”
Educators and training institutions have echoed this sentiment, citing strong mentorship, updated curricula, and student-focused learning environments as key factors in Ireland’s accountancy education success story.
As Ireland continues to grow as a hub for finance and professional services, the accomplishments of its students on the world stage offer compelling evidence that the future of accountancy in this country is in exceptionally capable hands.
