Eight questions with… Gearóid O’Sullivan

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!