The Finance Directorate at Queen’s University Belfast has launched a new graduate trainee programme in partnership with Chartered Accountants Ireland.  The graduates will work towards a chartered accountancy qualification with the Institute while gaining invaluable, hands-on experience in the workplace at Queen’s, with the technical expertise, commercial awareness and professional skills needed for a successful career in accountancy. Photographed at the front of the Lanyon are four of the graduate trainees: Laura McCullough, Zoe Taylor, Nicole Woods and Hannah Wylie, as well as Queen’s Vice-President and Chief Finance and Resources Officer, Patrick Anderson, and Director of Finance, Matthew Graham, with Zara Duffy, Executive Head of Global Engagement at Chartered Accountants Ireland, and Sinead Fox-Hamilton, Relationship and Professional Development Manager, Chartered Accountants Ireland. Speaking about the new Programme, Zara Duffy, Chartered Accountants Ireland said: “We’re delighted to work with Queen’s University on this new graduate trainee programme. The trainees will benefit from first-class experience in their role at the Finance Directorate and can work towards becoming fully qualified chartered accountants at the same time.  “We’re very keen to work with employers to find ways to empower their graduates and help them to carve out a rewarding career in chartered accountancy.”  

Chartered Accountants Ireland has called for more targeted support, incentives and clear communication to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play their full part in Northern Ireland’s transition to a net zero economy. In its response to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) consultation on the draft Climate Action Plan 2023–2027, Chartered Accountants Ireland, which represents 5,800 chartered accountants across Northern Ireland, highlights that while large companies are often well equipped to make energy and sustainability improvements, SMEs face unique barriers — from access to finance and skills, to navigating regulatory and administrative complexity. Chartered Accountants Ireland’s response urges government to provide timely grants and meaningful incentives for SMEs, ensuring that businesses can modernise their systems and benefit from lower energy costs, improved efficiency, competitiveness, and access to finance. It also calls for administrative simplicity, stressing that “red tape” should be kept to a minimum so that smaller businesses can focus their limited resources on real climate action. Susan Rossney, Sustainability Advocacy Manager with Chartered Accountants Ireland, said: “SMEs make up the backbone of Northern Ireland’s economy and have enormous potential to contribute to the transition to net zero — but they need the right support at the right time. Incentives such as energy grants, simpler funding applications and reduced Climate Change Levy payments for businesses that actively manage their energy use could make a real difference.  “By helping SMEs take practical steps, government can unlock major economic and environmental benefits that will benefit both the businesses on their transformation journey, and wider society as a whole.” Chartered Accountants Ireland also recommends that receipts from the Climate Change Levy be ring-fenced specifically for climate and nature projects, creating a transparent and fair link between business contributions and environmental outcomes. In addition, the submission highlights the importance of accurate, reliable data on business emissions. Better data will allow government to fully understand the contribution of SMEs to Northern Ireland’s emissions and to design policies based on real-world evidence. Chartered Accountants Ireland also emphasises the need for innovative solutions and effective communication with the business community — ensuring that climate information, support schemes and success stories reach companies in an accessible, inspiring and practical way. Finally, Chartered Accountants Ireland’s submission welcomes the inclusion of commitments to protect and restore the natural environment, urging that biodiversity and climate action should be pursued hand in hand, with nature-based solutions made central to the plan’s delivery. Susan Rossney added: “A sustainable economy depends on a healthy natural environment. Nature-based projects that restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity are not just good for the planet — they’re good for business resilience, community wellbeing and long-term growth.” Chartered Accountants Ireland concludes that with the right supports, incentives and communications, especially for SMEs, Northern Ireland’s Climate Action Plan can set out a realistic, fair and transparent pathway towards a net zero and nature-positive economy which benefits everyone in society.  

On 1 October, the Ulster Society hosted an update on FRS 102 with Professor Robert Kirk. This event concentrated largely on the three major changes that have been introduced in the March 2024 major update to FRS 102. This webinar provided a brief insight into the major developments made to the standard. In particular it concentrated on the following topics: 1.    The death of the operating lease for lessees 2.    The introduction of the 5 step model for reporting revenue  3.    The major amendments to the basic principles in Section 2 of the standard 4.    A brief discussion of the other changes being implemented in FRS 102 5.    The likely changes being proposed in FRED 87 on the presentation of the performance statements A recording of this webinar is available to view, for free and on demand, HERE A copy of Professor Kirk's slides are available to view HERE