Ms Mary Canniffe, investment editor of The Irish Times, has taken first place in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) final examinations for December 1999.

Approximately 1,000 people sat the examination. Ms Canniffe also took fifth place in the exams on a worldwide basis. Her brief at The Irish Times includes analysis of financial institutions and publicly quoted companies. She is also involved in devising the company's future Internet strategy.

Ms Canniffe previously held the post of deputy finance editor, having joined The Irish Times in 1987 as a financial reporter. Prior to that, she worked with IDA Ireland as a planning officer.

An economics graduate from Trinity College Dublin, she has a Master of Business Studies (MBS) from University College Dublin. Ms Canniffe is married and has two daughters.

Pictured at a presentation in AIB Bank Centre in Ballsbridge, Dublin, yesterday, were Mr David Kelly, financial controller, AIB Bank with Ms Canniffe, Mr Paul Mullen, who took first place in Ireland in the June 2000 final examinations and Mr George Maloney, ACCA president. In recognition of their achievements, Ms Canniffe and Mr Mullen were presented with special pieces of Waterford crystal, designed by John Rocha.