Ongoing dedication of Irish Accountancy leaders recognised and celebrated at this year’s Irish Accountancy Awards as it continues to support Irish enterprise

Celebrating the achievements of the people, teams and firms that make up Ireland’s accountancy profession, over 50 companies were represented at the Irish Accountancy Awards, and 22 prestigious prizess handed out in the ceremony held on September 1st 2022.

The winners were announced during a live awards ceremony held at The Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, hosted by author broadcaster and comedian Colm O’Regan.

Now in their sixth year, the Awards were supported by leading companies across the finance and accountancy industries. The event was supported by Amárach Research and The Irish Times joined as this year’s communication partner.

Grant Picknell, VP of Accountants in Sage said; “Accountants and bookkeepers have always been the one consistent priority in our 40+ year in the industry and never has that been truer than right now. It is so great to be here at the Clayton hotel, such a fitting venue to celebrate the profession and it’s been great to meet so many unsung heroes - Sage is proud to sponsor the Awards again this year and continue this partnership. Looking forward the industry will continue to evolve.”

One of the winners at this year’s Awards was FPM. Partner, Malachy McLernon said: “These Awards celebrate the most effective firms in our sector who understand that excellent client service requires an expanding skillset–partnering with clients to maximise opportunities, manage risk and embrace new technologies. We are immensely proud of our team at FPM on receiving this recognition.”

Mags Brennan, head of Business Banking at Permanent TSB, another of this year’s sponsors said: “The Irish Accountancy Awards gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the important service many accountancy and professional practitioners provide to Irish businesses. This support has been invaluable over the last few years and we are delighted to continue to recognise the industry’s outstanding contribution to Irish business.”

FAH Chartered Accountants was another one of this year’s award winners. Their managing partner, Fiona Hickey, said “In today’s environment a business often relies on the expertise and guidance that their accountant can provide them. A business will benefit greatly from an accountant with strategic thinking, future tax planning, innovative processes and a good knowledge of their business.”

Speaking at the awards, Kevin O’Driscoll, director partnership programmes, BusinessRiver said, “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2022 sponsors and professional partners, which include Sage, CPA Ireland, Chartered Accountants Ireland, Axon Outsourcing, Marketing Clever, Permanent TSB, Circit, Xero, and Osborne. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”

Another winner at this year’s event was the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone. Trevor Prendergast, head of Department of Accounting, said: “The Department of Accounting at TUS Athlone is delighted to receive this award. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the lecturing team, who strive to ensure that our students receive an education in accounting that is now recognised as being among the best in the country.”

Michelle Hickey, partner at O’Gorman Brannigan Purtill & Co., speaking on behalf of the finalists, said: “As a firm we were honoured to be shortlisted for two awards and delighted for the boost it gave our staff and clients. We are 50 years in business in 2023 so we are looking forward to what the future brings us.”

And with Fitzgerald Power having won the Award for Medium Practice of the Year, their managing partner, Noel Winters said: “We’re thrilled to have won Medium Practice of the Year. Our teams have worked tirelessly over the past 18 months to provide creative solutions in a tricky time. Our motto is ‘Adding Value Always’ – and we think we’ve done just that.”

The 2022 judging panel was comprised of:

Anne Keogh (Judging Co-ordinator) – CFO & COO, Pharmapod

Mary Rose Burke - chief executive officer, Dublin Chamber

Andrea Crean - lecturer in Accounting and programme director MSc International Accounting and Analytics, National University of Ireland, Galway

Evelyn Cregan - company secretary, Institute of Banking

Michael Cronin - managing partner, Cronin & Co.

Joan Curry - board member, International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) / council member, Chartered Accountants Ireland / head of Finance, Department of Transport

Anthony Doherty - chief investment officer, NTR plc

David Endersen - managing partner, White Bear Studios

Pauline Haughey - project manager, Queen’s University Belfast

Oriel Lawton - partner, O’Connor Pyne & Co. Limited

Jack Massey - lecturer, UCD Michael Smurfit Postgraduate Business School

Megan McClurkin-Kane - managing director, M J Kane Recovery Ltd

Denis O’Sullivan - group financial & treasury controller, Keywords Studios PLC

Seán O’Reilly - assistant head of School of Accounting and Finance, TU Dublin

Sean Quigley - non-executive director and executive Coach

The full list of the 2022 winners: