Ireland has become one of Europe’s strongest finance hubs. Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Limerick host multinational banks, investment managers, fund administrators, Big Four firms, and fast-scaling fintechs. The best part for international applicants: many employers sponsor work permits when they can’t hire locally—especially for hard-to-fill roles in accounting, funds, risk, compliance, analytics, and corporate finance.
Why Work in Ireland’s Finance Industry?
-
High demand + clear visa routes: The Employment Permit system (especially Critical Skills) actively supports skilled finance talent.
-
Strong compensation: Competitive base salaries, performance bonuses, pensions, 25–30 days’ leave, and relocation support are common.
-
Global brands & mobility: Build CV credibility with firms whose teams span the U.S., EU, and APAC.
-
Career growth: Clear pathways from analyst/accountant to controller, finance manager, and director/CFO.
-
English-speaking EU base: Work in English while accessing the EU market and lifestyle.
Finance Roles That Commonly Offer Sponsorship
Ireland’s finance ecosystem spans traditional banking, asset management, insurance, Big Four/consulting, SSC/BPO centers, and fintech. Roles with frequent sponsorship include:
-
Accounting & Audit: Financial/management accountants, auditors, financial controllers
-
Funds & Asset Servicing: Fund accountants, transfer agency, NAV oversight
-
Banking & Markets: Risk, treasury, investment operations, compliance
-
Fintech & Data: Financial data analysts, credit risk, AML/KYC, payments operations
-
Corp Finance & FP&A: Budgeting/forecasting, M&A support, investor reporting
Entry-Level Skills and Experience Required
-
Education: Bachelor’s in accounting, finance, economics, or business.
-
Professional certs (big plus): ACCA, ACA, CPA, CIMA, CFA, FRM/PRM (risk), or ICA (compliance).
-
Tools: Advanced Excel; exposure to SAP/Oracle/Netsuite, Xero/Sage/QuickBooks; SQL/Python for data-heavy roles is a differentiator.
-
Soft skills: Clear communication, stakeholder management, deadline discipline, analytical thinking, and audit-ready documentation.
-
Early-career pathways: Internships, trainee/apprentice programs, and graduate intakes are common—show impact and eagerness to learn.
Regions with the Highest Pay
-
Dublin: Highest density of global banks, asset managers, Big Four, and fintechs; top salary bands to match living costs.
-
Cork: Strong corporates, SSCs, and fintech; competitive pay with a lower cost of living than Dublin.
-
Galway & Limerick: Growth in shared services, medical devices finance, and fund admin; slightly lower base pay but better net savings potential.
Salary Expectations (Guide)
-
Entry-Level/Junior Accountant: ~€35,000–€45,000
-
Part-Qualified/Qualified Accountant (ACCA/ACA/CPA/CIMA): ~€50,000–€70,000
-
Senior Analyst / Finance Business Partner: ~€60,000–€80,000
-
Risk/Compliance (mid–senior): ~€60,000–€90,000+
-
Financial Controller: ~€75,000–€100,000+
-
Investment/Portfolio Roles: ~€80,000–€120,000+ depending on team and bonus potential
Packages often include bonuses, pension contributions, private healthcare, study support, and relocation assistance.
Visa Types and Work Permit Options
-
Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP): For high-demand finance roles (e.g., accountants, analysts, actuaries, risk/compliance). Faster residency path (eligible after 2 years). Typical salary thresholds apply.
-
General Employment Permit (GEP): For roles not on the CSEP list (e.g., junior finance, payroll). Longer path to residency (typically 5 years) and minimum salary applies.
-
Atypical Working Scheme / Intra-Company Transfer: Niche situations (short-term assignments or internal transfers).
-
Graduate Options (Ireland-educated): Pathways exist to transition from study to work permits.
Your employer must be registered and make the application; you then obtain the D visa (if required) and register on arrival.
How to Find Finance Jobs with Visa Sponsorship
-
Job boards: IrishJobs.ie, Jobs.ie, Indeed (Ireland), LinkedIn (filter for “visa sponsorship,” “Critical Skills,” “work permit”).
-
Recruiters experienced with permits: Hays, Morgan McKinley, Robert Walters, et al.
-
Target employers: Big Four (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC), global banks (J.P. Morgan, Citi, Bank of America), fund admins (State Street, Northern Trust, BNY Mellon), SSCs (tech, pharma, med-device multinationals), and high-growth fintechs.
-
Tailored CV & cover letter: Quantify results (e.g., “cut month-end by 3 days”), list certifications/exams passed, tools stack, and explicitly state availability for sponsorship/relocation.
-
Network: Join Irish finance groups on LinkedIn, attend virtual career fairs, and connect with alumni working in Ireland.
12 Finance Jobs with Visa Sponsorship in Ireland (2025)
-
Financial Analyst
Forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and executive dashboards across tech, pharma, and banking. -
Chartered Accountant (ACA/ACCA/CPA/CIMA)
Financial/management accounts, statutory reporting, and audit; heavily recruited by Big Four and multinationals. -
Risk Analyst (Market/Credit/Operational)
Modeling, stress testing, ICAAP/IFRS 9 exposure; common in banks, insurers, and fintech lending. -
Corporate Finance Executive (M&A/Valuations/Transaction Services)
Deal support, financial models, due diligence; frequent sponsorship via Big Four and boutique advisory. -
Payroll Specialist (EMEA focus)
High demand in SSCs managing multi-country payroll, statutory filings, and systems like Workday/ADP. -
Tax Consultant (Corporate/Indirect/Transfer Pricing)
Compliance and advisory; strong openings across Big Four and mid-tier firms. -
Investment Manager / Portfolio Analyst
Public/private markets, ESG integration, client reporting; typically Dublin-based with strong comp. -
Fund Accountant / Fund Administrator
NAV, reconciliations, investor reporting in Ireland’s large funds ecosystem (hedge, private equity, real assets). -
Treasury Analyst
Liquidity, FX/IR risk, cash forecasting, and policy across corporates and banks. -
Compliance Officer / AML-KYC Specialist
Regulatory frameworks, transaction monitoring, remediation projects; in constant demand. -
Internal Auditor
Risk reviews, SOX/controls testing, process improvements across regulated industries. -
Financial Controller
Team leadership, consolidation, board packs, and business partnering; suits 5–7 years’ experience + qualification.
FAQs
Do I need a professional qualification to get sponsored?
Not always, but ACCA/ACA/CPA/CIMA/CFA significantly increase your chances and salary bands.
Which city should I target first?
Dublin for maximum roles and higher pay; Cork, Galway, Limerick for strong roles with lower living costs.
How long does the permit process take?
Timelines vary by permit type and completeness of documents. Many employers guide you through the steps once you accept an offer.
Can my family join me?
Under Critical Skills, dependants can typically join, with favorable conditions for residence and work rights.
Clear Next Steps
-
Pick your target role + city (e.g., Fund Accountant in Dublin; Risk Analyst in Cork).
-
Tighten your CV to Irish style: 2 pages max, quantified achievements, tools stack, exam progress, and “Open to visa sponsorship” line.
-
Shortlist 15–20 employers (Big Four, banks, fund admins, SSCs, fintechs) and set job alerts with “visa sponsorship” filters.
-
Apply in focused batches (5–7 roles twice weekly) and message recruiters on LinkedIn with a 3–4 line pitch.
-
Line up documents: passport, degree transcripts, certs (ACCA/ACA/CFA), references, work letters, and proof of projects.
-
Interview prep: 6–8 STAR stories on forecasting wins, controls fixes, audit findings, and cross-functional partnering.
-
Confirm the permit route in writing (Critical Skills vs General), salary band, relocation support, and start date before signing.
-
Book your D visa & registration steps promptly after permit approval; plan your arrival and housing near your office hub.