Hundreds of senior figures from Ireland’s accountancy profession gathered at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre recently for the Irish Accountancy Awards 2026. Now in its ninth year, the ceremony was hosted by Mario Rosenstock and drew 488 attendees, with judges recognising outstanding achievement across 26 categories covering practice management, professional leadership, functional excellence and innovation, selected from a field of 148 entries.
Borgo emerged as one of the standout winners, winning the practice of the year and online practice awards. Judges praised the firm’s combination of technology-led performance and personalised client service, pointing to strong profit growth, high retention rates and a round-the-clock response guarantee as evidence of an organisation focused on continuous improvement and shaping the future of modern practice in Ireland.
Allan Egan, managing director at Borgo, remarked: “We built Borgo on the belief that Irish businesses deserve real-time clarity and a trusted partner in their corner, not just at year end but throughout the year. Technology helps us do that, but only when it strengthens the relationship we have with clients. This award is recognition of a team that’s always trying to do things better, for our clients and for each other.”
Other winners included Azets Ireland, Whelan Dowling & Associates and Rory Williams Chartered Accountants. Women’s achievement in the profession was recognised with awards for Eve Henry and Caroline O’Driscoll of Deloitte; Talia Bouzon of Noone Casey Financial Services; and Niamh Cunningham of Block.
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Brian O’Callaghan, Deloitte’s head of audit and assurance, congratulated Henry and O’Driscoll on their awards. He said the firm was honoured that its people’s expertise and achievements, alongside its innovative approach to audit and client service, had been recognised. “This recognition reflects the impact, curiosity and technical expertise of our teams,” O’Callaghan added. “As the world’s number one professional services provider we continuously challenge ourselves to deliver sharper insights, smarter technology and bolder thinking to help our clients stay ahead.”
There were also awards for Fexco, Arlo Technologies International, Incorpro, Xeinadin, Fitzgerald Power, Allianz Ireland, DBASS and Kerry Group. In the technology categories, The Law Society of Ireland’s Project Ignite and Deloitte’s Omnia cloud-based audit platform were recognised for their innovation in the SME and large practice categories respectively. Education and training honours went to the University of Galway and EY Ireland.
Since its inception in 2016, the Irish Accountancy Awards programme has been synonymous with honouring and celebrating excellence within the accountancy profession over the past year. Entries are sought from firms and individuals who have demonstrated value and competitive advantage to their clients, and submissions are reviewed by an expert judging panel.
Chris Downing, director for accountants and book-keepers Sage, the awards’ impact ambassador, said: “Supporting the Irish Accountancy Awards reflects our long-term commitment to a profession evolving at pace. As firms balance rising demands with new technology, it’s vital we recognise those leading change and shaping the future of business with insight, trust and innovation.”
Cliona Doyle, chief executive at gold sponsor Search4less, added: “The accountancy sector has been close to us from the very beginning so it’s a privilege to support these awards. They celebrate the excellence and dedication of a profession that does so much for Irish business every day.”
DBASS was selected as the winner in the employer of the year category from seven shortlisted finalists. “Being named employer of the year reflects the culture our team builds every day,” said the company’s director, Michael Byrne. “When you invest in trust, flexibility and genuine support, exceptional service follows. Our people are the heartbeat of DBASS and this award belongs entirely to them.”
Xeinadin picked up the award in the tax team category. Marketing manager Eimear Quin said: “Our national tax team goes beyond technical capability, driving collaboration, consistency and value for clients and colleagues. By sharing expertise and embracing innovation we work as one unified group. We are honoured to have our efforts recognised with this award.”
H&MV Engineering was among the five finalists in the large finance team award category. “Building high-performing finance teams with the right skills, systems and mindset is critical as organisations scale, ensuring they can support growth, manage complexity and respond to an evolving business landscape,” said company director David Manifold.
Judging coordinator John Gaynor described the standard of awards entries as outstanding, reflecting a profession that continues to innovate and adapt. “In a fast-changing business environment, accountants continue to lead as trusted strategic advisers. I want to warmly congratulate every finalist and extend recognition to the winners who demonstrated excellence in accounting and finance,” he said.
The outstanding contribution award was presented to Tom Ryan, director general of the GAA, in recognition of his role in modernising the organisation’s finances. A chartered accountant with experience spanning finance, technology, telecommunications and retail, Ryan’s leadership has driven reform across GAA operations while helping the organisation adapt to contemporary challenges.
Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at awards organiser Business River, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2026 sponsors Sage, Circit, Dornan – A Turner Company, Iplicit Ireland, ProSource Group, ETL Global Ireland, Mercia Ireland, Ecovis, Search4Less, and Axon Outsourcing. I also want to recognise our professional body partner, Chartered Accountants Ireland as well as our supporter, Amárach Research. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”
Awards judges
- John Gaynor (judging coordinator) – programme chair and lecturer on the BA in accounting, Atlantic Technological University – Sligo Campus
- Morna Ahern – principal, Brass Tax Consultancy
- Siobhan Blackwell – director, head of business, regulatory and supervisory management, TD Securities
- Brendan Brophy – senior cost accountant, Square
- Peter Brophy – managing director, Floirin Corporate Finance Limited
- Tara Clements – associate director – client operations, CACEIS Investor Services Ireland Ltd
- Neil Dunne – programme director, MSc in accounting and analytics, Trinity College Dublin
- David Endersen – managing director, White Bear
- Peter Gillen – sustainability disclosures & ratings manager, AIB
- Pauline Haughey – project manager, Queen’s University Belfast
- Michelle Hourican – director, Datatrails
- Angela O Leary – founder and managing director, AG Associates Accountants
- Niamh McCarthy – finance business partner, Primark
- Aisling McDevitt – director, PGIM Ireland
- Caroline McGroary – chartered accountant, lecturer in accounting and Fulbright scholar, Chartered Accountants Ireland, Dublin City University and Boston College
- Christine Nangle – head of discipline of accounting, TU Dublin
- Anand Kumar Pandey – head of finance, Actavo
- Eoghan Quigley – immediate past president, Dublin Chamber
- Sean Quigley – non-exec director and consultant, Quigley Management Consulting
- Joe O’Regan – owner, Intrinsic CFO Limited
- Michael Shovelin – lecturer, strategy and finance, Atlantic Technological University
- Olivia Smith FCCA – corporate sustainability adviser, Corporate Sustainability Partners
- Edel Walsh – owner, Edel Walsh Coaching and Consulting
Award winners
Practice of the year (sponsored by Sage)
Winner: Borgo
Large practice of the year (sponsored by Circit)
Winner: Azets Ireland
Medium practice of the year (sponsored by Mercia)
Winner: Whelan Dowling & Associates
Small practice of the year (sponsored by Axon Outsourcing)
Winner: Rory Williams Chartered Accountants
Online practice of the year (sponsored by ETL Global Ireland)
Winner: Borgo
Rising star accountant of the year
Winner: Eve Henry – Deloitte
Accountant of the year
Winner: Talia Bouzon – Noone Casey Financial Services
CSR initiative of the year
Winner: Dublin Port Greenway
Finance leader of the year
Winner: Niamh Cunningham – Block
Women in accountancy & finance award (sponsored by ETL Global Ireland)
Winner: Caroline O’Driscoll – Deloitte
Finance team of the year – large
Winner: Fexco
Finance team of the year
Winner: Arlo Technologies International
Client service award
Winner: Incorpro
Tax team of the year (sponsored by Ecovis)
Winner: Xeinadin
Advisory team of the year
Winner: Fitzgerald Power
Finance project of the year (sponsored by Iplicit Ireland)
Winner: Fexco – Project Nexus
Best finance collaboration
Winner: Allianz Ireland
Employer of the year (sponsored by ProSource Group)
Winner: DBASS Accountancy & Tax Advisory
Transformation project of the year
Winner: Kerry Group – Instant Pricing
Best use of technology in accounting and finance – large (sponsored by Search4less)
Winner: Deloitte – Omnia: A Cloud-based Audit Platform
Best use of technology in accounting and finance – SME
Winner: The Law Society Of Ireland – Project Ignite
Excellence in learning & development (sponsored by Mercia)
Winner: Azets Ireland
Payroll team of the year (sponsored by Sage)
Winner: Bridge Chartered Accountants
Excellence in education (sponsored by Dornan – A Turner Company)
Winner: University of Galway – Postgraduate Suite of Summer Schools
Graduate training programme of the year
Winner: EY Ireland – Graduate Development Programme
Outstanding contribution to accountancy (sponsored by Chartered Accountants Ireland)
Recipient: Tom Ryan
