Half of businesses surveyed by Chartered Accountants Ireland say they have significant concerns about dealing with customs administration in the coming months.
Negotiations between the EU and UK on a future relationship will conclude in just over four months time as the Brexit transition period ends.
Regardless of whether a trade agreement is reached, customs administration will be imposed on importers and exporters north and south from the start of next year.
CAI says engagement with its members and the wider business community has uncovered a "significant deficit" in awareness of the skills and knowledge required to meet the legal and regulatory requirements of international trade.
In an attempt to address the gap, the accounting body has launched a Certificate in Customs and Trade to equip business with the necessary information and skills to navigate the post-Brexit customs regime.
The programme will be delivered in four modules over eight weeks and will start in early October.
"We are critically short of expertise on the island of Ireland to manage this unprecedented change," Programme Lead Tony Buckley said.
"In practice, there are few businesses whose supply chains will not be affected, directly or indirectly, and all will need advice from professionals familiar with the complex new rules and procedures," he added.
More details are available on the Chartered Accountants website
