Members and guests gathered for a special evening marking both the launch of
Important Work: a History of Irish Chartered & Certified Public Accountants and the centenary of CPA Ireland. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on more than a century of the contribution, integrity, and public trust Chartered Accountants have made across the island for more than 100 years.
The event also looked firmly to the future. University of Limerick's Professor of Economics Stephen Kinsella delivered an insightful keynote speech on the economic forces reshaping Ireland and the critical role trusted business leaders play in guiding organisations through uncertainty. His perspectives underscored a central theme of our advocacy work: highlighting the contribution accountants make to the Irish economy, what their role has been historically, what it is today across every sector, and what it could be as the profession continues to evolve.
He explored the wider economic landscape, including risks such as Ireland’s reliance on FDI, the speed of digitalisation, and the disruptive impact of AI. Crucially, he pointed to the opportunities ahead: accountants stepping further into higher‑value advisory roles, particularly for indigenous and growing SMEs, and supporting organisations as they navigate complexity. As Ireland moves deeper into an AI‑heavy, data‑driven economy, he emphasised that the profession must continue to adapt while preserving the trust‑based advisory relationship that underpins its public value. His perspective underscored the importance of our ongoing work to champion the future of the profession.
As members connected and celebrated our shared history, the evening reinforced the powerful message that the next chapter of the profession will be defined by trusted business leadership, adaptability, and its continuing contribution to Ireland’s economic progress.
You can access the book
Important Work: A History of Irish Chartered & Certified Public Accountants below:
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