Interviews and Profiles

Edel Walsh, exam coach and education consultant, qualified as a Chartered Accountant but has combined her love of learning, education and accounting to create a successful business outside of the profession Five years ago, where did you think you would be now? Have you lived up to your own expectations? After I qualified as a Chartered Accountant, I moved into the world of education, which has always been a passion of mine. I lectured for all the accountancy bodies as well as at third level.  If I am being honest, ten years ago, I thought I would still be lecturing today as I loved it. However, an exciting opportunity came my way five years ago, and I moved into a Talent Development Leadership role at a Big 4 firm. This was a huge pivot for me as I moved from lecturing to a corporate learning and development environment. It was a great move as it married my knowledge of accounting practice, education and my love for learning.  Five years ago, I would never have thought I would set up my own business as a coach and education consultant. I barely knew what a coach was back then! I have lived up to my own expectations of continuously learning and taking risks when it feels right. What has been the biggest challenge of your career? There have been a few challenges in my career, but the one that stands out the most is moving from a secure job in a tax practice after I qualified to move into education.  At the start of the 2008 recession, I left a job with no secure income or work, but I knew what I wanted to do and worked hard to get it. Most people told me that I was mad and should be happy with what I had. I didn’t listen! Another challenge in my career was the transition into motherhood. Suddenly, I went from thinking only about myself and my career to having to think of three little people and managing my aspirations. This was a great challenge, as it changed how I worked for the better.   What do you wish you had known earlier in life? When you are in Leaving Cert and completing your CAO applications, you have many options even after graduating. My undergraduate degree is not related in any way to my career now.  Where do you see yourself this time next year? A year is a long time! I hope to see my own business grow from strength to strength. I have many ideas and new projects in the pipeline, so watch this space. Who inspires you, personally and professionally? Personally, my husband inspires me. We both trained as Chartered Accountants together. Our careers have taken very different paths. He is now in a leadership role in a multinational company. He inspires me with how he manages his job’s stress and never loses sight of what is important. Professionally, there are so many people, but a few would include Edith Edgar, the writer of The Choice and The Gift. I love listening to Ted Talks and enjoy Mel Robbins and Simon Sinek. They talk a lot of sense.  How has being a Chartered Accountant changed your life? Being a Chartered Accountant has opened many doors for me in my career. While I am not in the traditional role of an accountant, it has inspired every move I have made in my career. It is my greatest academic achievement.  If you weren't a Chartered Accountant, what do you think you'd be doing? When doing my Leaving Cert, I wanted to either do finance at UCC or become a nurse – very different careers.  I ended up doing finance at UCC, which inspired me to become a Chartered Accountant. It would be primary school teaching if it weren’t a nurse or accountant.  What advice do you have for those who will soon qualify as Chartered Accountants? Don’t be afraid to take risks. Some of the risks I took didn’t work out, but they were my greatest learning experiences.  Also, at the outset of your career, look for the jobs that will give you the most experience instead of the most financially rewarding ones.

In every issue of The Bottom Line, we ask students for their thoughts on a particular topic. This month, we want to know: What do you think of Budget 2023? Brendan Connor, Risk Assurance Associate, PwC It's nice to see a strong emphasis on the cost of living and public transport infrastructure in the 2023 Budget. The energy and rental credits could go a long way for a lot of young people, and the focus on the cost of living shows a commitment to keeping young people from leaving Ireland, which is encouraging. Public transport infrastructure has also been a hot topic for a while, especially in Dublin, and it’s nice to see that it’s getting the funding it deserves. With the highest proportionate level of investment since 2008, it’s also very positive to see the government’s commitment to environmentally sustainable initiatives in this area. Rob Courtney, Audit Senior, EY Personally, I am hopeful that Budget 2023 will work to alleviate uncertainty in people’s lives. The movement of the 40 percent tax bracket will offer some relief to young working professionals – it will certainly be seen as a welcome change to the doom and gloom of the cost of living crisis. Alongside this, the new rent tax credit should offer some respite to current renters or those thinking of entering the rental market in the coming year. The one qualm I have is the relief for energy bills; if energy prices continue to trend as they are, it’s unlikely they will change the current picture by much. Saoirse Kitt, Banking, Insurance & Aviation Finance Senior Associate, PwC As a young working professional, there are aspects of the Budget that I’m happy about, such as the €500 rent tax credit for this year and next, the increase of €3,200 to the standard rate income tax band, and the new energy credit being introduced. It is positive that there are short-term measures being introduced to help those most in need, such as once-off social welfare payments. However, I think that the budget for 2023 has overcommitted to tax cuts instead of focusing on building more homes, reducing emissions and eliminating poverty.

In every issue of The Bottom Line, we ask students for their thoughts on a particular topic. This month, we want to know: How has the cost of living crisis affected you? Jennifer O’Connor  Associate, Baker Tilly As we all know, the cost of living has gone up drastically over the last year. The problem is that as the cost of living is rising, the wage is not.  I am currently a trainee accountant. As any trainee out there, the wage is minimum. Unfortunately, as the cost of living has risen so much, minimum wage is no longer near liveable.  I currently have my own car which I need to get to work and home. Diesel has risen so much I can barely afford to put enough in my car each week on top of my other bills.  We are expected to save for mortgages, but how can any trainee do this with the high cost of living and low wage? Becky Bruen  Audit Associate, PwC I was lucky enough to secure accommodation in the heart of Dublin City this year. However, the current cost of living crisis has impacted my day-to-day spend significantly.  The price of my weekly shop is where I have noticed the biggest difference. It may appear as only a slight increase (10 cents or more here or there), but it all adds up at the checkout.  Although I haven’t ventured into the world of coffee drinking yet, my housemates continue to let out a little moan daily about the rise in price for their daily cup from a nice coffee shop.  More recently, I have noticed the price of petrol on my commute home has changed drastically. Prices have risen significantly compared to when I first started driving.  However, it’s not all bad news: one positive change that I have seen to counteract this is the lower fares in public transport from Transport For Ireland. My student Leap Card (thanks to Chartered Accountants Ireland) has been useful when trying to save on petrol.  Anna McCormack Audit Associate, Deloitte As someone who lives in rented accommodation, the biggest impact on my life has been rent and utilities.  With current inflation levels and the Russia-Ukraine war, the cost of paying bills has increased the already inflated rents by a substantial amount, especially given many of us are renting relatively old houses. This increased strain on our income has made it difficult to adjust to post-lockdown life as normal activities resume.  It will be interesting to see how the upcoming budget accounts for these costs, given we’re spending less time at home but it’s now costing us more.

Claire Doyle, Associate Manager of Global Tax at PTC Therapeutics, knows that you don’t have to have it all figured out early in your career, but she does recommend you seize every opportunity available to you to discover what you want   Five years ago, where did you think you would be now? Have you lived up to your own expectations? Five years ago, I was in the middle of studying for my FAE exams. The aim was to pass the FAEs on first attempt and go to New Zealand on an epic post-FAE holiday.  Thankfully, I achieved both and made some unforgettable memories that will last a  lifetime.  Growing up with siblings who worked and travelled abroad, I had a strong desire to follow in their footsteps. Originally, I was heading to America, but the plans fell through. So, instead, I decided to book a last-minute flight to Sydney and go solo travelling along the east coast of Australia, which was unbelievable.  I am fortunate that my current role provides me with great opportunities to collaborate with global employees and travel. What has been the biggest challenge of your career? Coming back from the setback of not going to America was extremely challenging – I was really hard on myself and saw it as a failure instead of a setback. In doing so, I had completely overlooked the fact that my long-term goal was to actually travel the east coast of Australia.  What do you wish you had known earlier in life? There is a lot of pressure on young people to have their life and career path figured out by 21, which is totally unrealistic! People will change jobs, careers and courses all throughout their life – you don’t need to have it all figured out at such a young age. Seize every opportunity that excites you and comes your way – what harm will it do? You never know what it will lead to!   Where do you see yourself this time next year? I would like to continue to support the growth of PTC Therapeutics globally. Aside from numerous finance-related projects that are ongoing, I’m a leader within our Early Careers Professionals and Women’s International Network. I also run a series of walking and running challenges internally to support local charities. I am a member of the FinBiz2030 Irish taskforce, as well, and we have some exciting plans and ideas for next year – watch this space! Who inspires you, personally and professionally? Personally, it would have to be my uncle Martin who passed away before his time. Despite facing many health battles, he always looked out for others. To face your own battles and always think of others is simply inspirational. Professionally, it would have to be an old mentor and good friend, Emma-Louise Sweeney. Over the years she has been a great sounding board and always reminded me that, regardless of the situation, be comfortable being uncomfortable. How has being a Chartered Accountant changed your life? Being a Chartered Accountant has given me so many opportunities and experiences that I’m incredibly grateful for. I’m now part of a network of over 30,000 members across the island of Ireland and abroad. It provides you with skills you can take with you wherever you go and can be utilised across many different industries. Surprisingly, reminiscing about the training contract days, lectures and exams still happens years on. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, resigning from his post because of the Brexit referendum result right when I was about to sit my final CAP2 exam in Belfast. If you weren’t a Chartered Accountant, what do you think you’d be doing? I would follow in my mum’s footsteps and be a teacher. My mum always wanted me to be a teacher – I wouldn’t rule out doing some lecturing in the future. What advice do you have for those who will soon qualify as Chartered Accountants? Take your time to figure out your next move. Don’t jump at the first offer to move or stay, understand what interests you and the industry in which you would like to work.

He studied law at university and yoga in India, but now Gearóid O’Sullivan is a tax manager at Chartered Accountants Ireland, “picking bones” on behalf of members. Five years ago, where did you think you would be now? Have you lived up to your own expectations? I had commenced my tax studies after a stint in risk consulting following completion of my FAEs. My plan was to complete my taxation studies, develop skills which would be useful to a tax practitioner working in the ‘regions’, and then take time off to travel. I finished my tax exams, went to live in India for six months, and then lockdown hit. So, I ticked the travel box just in time! What has been the biggest challenge of your career? I struggled with confidence a lot in the early years. I made some howlers and got chewed out of it on occasion and was like, “What am I even doing here?”.  But I had great peers and was fortunate to receive great mentorship. So, I guess the challenge is to just hang in there long enough for the penny to drop. What do you wish you had known earlier in life? You need to remember that everyone else is as unsure as you are. Where do you see yourself this time next year? Hopefully celebrating a win for some bone we picked on behalf of our members. Who inspires you, personally and professionally? Personally, I am inspired by my friends and family. I have two solid brothers and a handful of solid friends whom I trust. When we’re not winding each other up, we tend to be each other’s biggest supporters. Professionally, I tend to get inspired by the people I encounter. It may sound like a tug on the party line, but Chartered Accountants Ireland has a fantastic membership.   I have been pushed to become a useful professional by the patience and ability of my mentors. I have also been inspired and encouraged by my peers. You will make lasting friends when you train as an accountant. Perhaps a case of shared trauma! How has being a Chartered Accountant changed your life? I was 21 years old when I started my training contract with KPMG. I didn’t have a clue. Training to be a Chartered Accountant has formed me professionally and so has had a significant impact on my development as an adult.  I’m proud that I persevered and became a Chartered Accountant. Now anywhere in the world I go, I have a skill I can use to contribute to any community. If you weren’t a Chartered Accountant, what do you think you’d be doing? If I had my time again, I’d study engineering. I was strong in maths and science in school, but I realised I knew nothing about how government worked. So, I thought law would be an interesting undergrad. Law turned into tax consulting (I figured, as most people are made sick at the thought of tax, I could help them out.) which turned into Chartered Accountancy and here we are. But engineering would be fun. What advice do you have for those who will soon qualify as Chartered Accountants? Be clever. Make a decision. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Your qualification is a golden ticket. If you can see it for the door-opener it is, then it can really work for you. If you veer off course a little bit, it’s easy to double back. But if you never try, you never know!

In every issue of The Bottom Line, we ask students for their thoughts on a particular topic. This month, we want to know: what company values are important to you? Kathryn Tiffney Audit Associate at PwC Belfast The values I look for in an organisation have evolved as I have progressed in my career.  Initially, when joining my training firm, I was looking for a company with a good reputation, excellent learning prospects within various fields of accountancy, and clients in different industries. I wanted to gauge which area of accountancy I was best suited to, and what direction to take my career in.  Now that I have finished my training contract, my focus is on companies offering good work-life balance and growth prospects. I would definitely consider leaving a position, or turning down a job offer, if the company didn’t demonstrate these values. Eoghan Conaty Risk Assessment Associate at KPMG Dublin It is important to me that any organisation I work for values inclusivity, integrity, and sustainability.  Businesses should be at the forefront of fighting big issues such as the climate crisis and discrimination. Organisations that promote diversity, strive to do the right thing, and care deeply about ensuring a better tomorrow, are the ones that will tackle the big issues.  The sense of fulfilment I would get from working for one is so enormous I would most definitely leave an organisation if I felt it did not hold the values I look for.  Furthermore, I believe that, if we actively seek to work for organisations with strong, positive values — and, more importantly, leave those without them — we are helping to ensure a brighter and better future.  Nigel Cousins Audit Associate at Northern Ireland Audit Office We talk a lot about finding a culture fit when job hunting, and much less about finding the right fit for our values. A culture may celebrate innovation, but values determine what gets sacrificed in its pursuit. It is nearly impossible to bring your best to an organisation that is in conflict with your values.  For this reason, I have identified five key values I actively seek out when considering an employer: honesty and integrity; continuous learning; diversity; innovation; and teamwork. Ultimately, a poor value fit would eventually prompt me to me seek out a different employer — one that shares my values.  Therefore, it is essential for me to have full confidence that my values align with any organisation before I join.