Leinster Society news

The Leinster Society elected Ann-Marie Costello as the 94th Chairperson at the AGM on Friday 10 June. Des Gibney was elected alongside Ann-Marie as Vice Chair for the 2022 / 23 term. Ann-Marie tells us about herself and her plans for her term as Chairperson: Having grown up in a family of medical professionals in Galway, I am somewhat of a ‘blow in’ to accountancy and to the Chartered Accountants Leinster Society. I chose to study Commerce with German (NUIG) and undertook a Masters in Accounting (UCD), before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2008. I spent my training contract in the Corporate Recovery team in KPMG, and after a period of time spent traveling around the globe, joined Grant Thornton and am currently a Director in the Corporate Finance team. On a more personal note, I am a mother to Finn (two years old), married to Fabio, a keen traveller and a fair-weather runner and cyclist.  I was introduced to the Chartered Accountants Leinster Society a number of years ago and was keen to have the opportunity to pay it forward and get involved in representing members’ interests. I am honoured to be elected the 94th Chairperson of the Society and am delighted to be in the driving seat for what promises to be a great year ahead.  As society opens up again, there appears to be a great appetite to get back to face-to-face socialising and networking. In line with this demand, we are making plans for all our pillar events to be in-person this year - the Horse Show, the Published Accounts Awards, the Christmas Lunch and the Rugby Lunch. We are also planning to host a number of Business Lunches throughout my term, with well-known keynote speakers. However, we know that the situation in terms of Covid-19 is fluid, and will be mindful of any change in circumstance as the year progresses.  Over the last two years, we have found that our virtual events allowed us to reach a wider audience and had considerable uptake. We therefore plan to offer a series of more bite-sized virtual sessions over the course of the year, which will offer members more flexibility and sustain high engagement levels.  We are working on an excellent programme of events for the year ahead under the topics of Wellness, Family and Inclusivity. The first events of the year include our upcoming Pride event (in conjunction with the Young Professionals) and an inaugural hike which is open to members, their families and friends. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Jilly Harvey on a fantastic year as Chairperson of the Society and to introduce Des Gibney, our incoming Vice Chairperson. Special thanks also to the wonderful committee behind the Society, as well as Susan Waldron and Ruth McNally, who coordinate and deliver all the events and help to make the year possible. I am really looking forward to the year and hope to welcome as many members as possible to the various events. The door is always open so feel free to reach out to myself, or any of the committee members, at any stage over the course of the year.  - Ann-Marie  

The Published Accounts Awards 2022 are kicking off again! The Leinster Society returns to The Shelbourne Hotel for this year's awards ceremony, which will take place on Thursday 10 November 2022. Incoming Leinster Society Chairperson Ann-Marie Costello will host the awards, alongside a special guest MC who will be revealed soon.  Entries are welcomed across all types of reporting bodies – whether large, listed companies, or small not for profit organisations. Entries must be in respect of financial years ended on or before 31 March 2022.  This year entries close on Friday 15 July 2022.  For more information on how to enter, visit the Leinster Society web page or contact the Leinster Society office at paa@charteredaccountants.ie for more information. 

NOTICE OF MEETING Notice is hereby given that the ninety-fourth Annual General Meeting of Chartered Accountants Leinster Society will be held on Friday, 10 June 2022, at 4pm in Chartered Accountants House, Dublin. Copies of the Annual Report & Accounts can be downloaded from the Society’s website at https://www.charteredaccountants.ie/Leinster/About-Us/Annual-Reports.  AGENDA         1            To approve the Minutes of the ninety-third Annual General Meeting held on Friday, 11 June 2021 (Minutes available here); 2            To receive the Report of the Committee, the Annual Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet and the Auditor's Report thereon (Report available here) 3            To note the Members of Officer Group for 2022 4            To receive the results of the election of Members of Committee (Report available here); 5            To re-appoint the Auditors 6            To transact any other business If you intend being present, please register by emailing Leinstersociety@charteredaccountants.ie before Wednesday, 7 June 2022 By Order of the Committee P Jennings Honorary Secretary 26 May 2022

TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE LEINSTER SOCIETY NOTICE OF THE ELECTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2022/2023   Note: All references to Rules are to the Rules which came into force on 11 June 2021. This notice is given in accordance with Rule 28.2.   In accordance with Rule 21.1.1, the number of vacancies for elected members on the Committee of the Leinster Society (the “Committee”) to be filled at the Annual General Meeting of the Leinster Society, (the “Society”), to be held on 10 June 2022, is SEVEN.   The following members of the Committee, who are retiring under the provisions of Rule 25.2, are eligible for re-election, and have indicated to the Committee that they wish to offer themselves for re-election and are accordingly deemed to be nominated for re-election: Paul BYRNE, member in business Alan D’ARCY, member in practice The following member of the Committee, who is retiring under the provisions of Rule 24.1, is not eligible for re-election: Jilly HARVEY, member in practice The following member of the Committee is retiring under the provisions of Rule 23.1: Gemma SHINE, member in business To fulfil the membership strand / geographic requirements of Rule 21.2, the members elected must include four members in practice and four members in business.   ONE member of the Society who must be a member in practice or employed in practice TWO members of the Society who must be members in business FOUR members of the Society whether members in business, members in practice, members employed in practice or other category of membership In accordance with Rule 21.1.1, candidates for election to Committee must be members of the Society and, in accordance with Rule 29.1, be nominated by five members of the Society, who are not current Committee members.   Nominations are now sought for the above vacancies. Completed nominations must, under Rule 29.5, be sent to the Honorary Secretary by e-mail to leinstersociety@charteredaccountants.ie not later than 1pm on 22 April 2022.   Nomination forms are available on request from the Committee Secretary email, leinstersociety@charteredaccountants.ie    The Ballot, if necessary, will be held on 19 May 2022. By Order of the Committee Pat Jennings Honorary Secretary, Leinster Society

A festive feast of 12 events and competitions, running from 1 – 12 December, from Santa visits to comedy to cooking, with all proceeds going to directly to our two chosen charities. You pick the event(s) that suits you!  Tickets for each event are very limited so don’t wait to book! Tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis. 100% of proceeds from the ticketed events go directly to Jigsaw - the National Centre for Youth Mental Health. We ask that you donate the suggested price in lieu of a ticket charge in order to receive your ticket. All proceeds from the raffle competitions go directly to Barretstown. We ask that you donate a minimum of €10 to enter. Your donation counts as a raffle ticket. You can enter as many times as you like. Winners of the competitions will be picked at the end of the 12 days by Chairperson Jilly Harvey! To book any of these events, email Siobhan and Susan – leinstersociety@charteredaccountants.ie  Full list of events: 1 December - Virtual visit with Santa Claus  Enjoy a private virtual visit with Santa from the comfort of your own home!Santa will be live from Lapland to check up on the boys and girls in yourhousehold and check them off the nice list! All children receive a gift from Santa! Donation of €20 per child to enjoy this festive call. 2 December – Retro Drive in Movies, from 7pm @ Leopardstown Drive in movie theatre Join us for a special and exclusive screening of 'Home Alone' from the safety of your car at the Retro Drive in Movie theatre Leopardstown at 7pm, with gates open from 6.15pm. Popcorn and a drink included for each person. Donation of minimum €20 per car to see Kevin McAllister in action! 3 December – Wonderlights at Malahide Castle - SOLD OUT! Grab the woolly hats and gloves and join us for an enchanting woodland night walk which brings magical themes to life! This event is suitable for all ages so book now for some Christmas magic! Donation of minimum €15 per ticket. 4 December – Restorative yoga session with Laura Clarke, 10am via Zoom Laura Murphy of Calm & Co eases us into the silly season with a relaxing festive flow designed to help you melt away any built-up tension, calming your body and mind from the comfort of your own cosy surroundings, no experience needed, just bring a mat and pillow.  Donation of minimum €10 to attend this session. 5 December – Competition time! A chance to win a fantastic prize that will make a huge difference to your Christmas! Prize to be announced on this date! Donation of minimum €10 to enter the raffle. Each entry is a raffle ticket and enter as many times as you like! Please ensure you leave your name and contact email so we can contact you if you win. Donate and enter here: https://tinyurl.com/6a4jdw95    6 December – Festive cook-along with the Happy Pear, 1pm – 2pm via Zoom Join David and Stephen from the Happy Pear as they host a lunch time cook-along! Cook some festive favourites with the Happy Pear twist, that can be easily replicated again for your Christmas dinner! Donation of minimum €10 to join the cook-along. 7 December – Paint & Prosecco, 7pm via Zoom Find your inner Van Gogh while enjoying some bubbles! Join us for an hour-long virtual painting class at 7pm where art may not be guaranteed but fun certainly will be! Donation of minimum €20 to join the class. 8 December – Competition time! A chance to win a fantastic prize that will make a huge difference to your Christmas! Prize to be announced on this date! Donation of minimum €10 to enter the raffle. Each entry is a raffle ticket and enter as many times as you like! Please ensure you leave your name and contact email so we can contact you if you win. Donate and enter here: https://tinyurl.com/6a4jdw95  9 December – Tayto Park Christmas Experience - SOLD OUT! Spend a day at Ireland's only theme park, Tayto Park! With activities for thrill-seekers old and young as well as the Christmas experience which includes a private visit with Santa this is one event not to be missed! Your ticket covers all day entry to the park with access to Santa at 7.10pm. Donation of minimum €10 per ticket. 10 December – Laughter Lounge from the couch, 7pm via Zoom Joe Rooney, aka Fr Damo, hosts an evening of laughs which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your couch! A whopper box of goodies, including beers and snacks, will be delivered to your house to enjoy while Joe introduces us to not 1, not 2, but 10 comedians! Donation of minimum €50 per log in / goodie box. 11 December – Competition time! A chance to win a fantastic prize that will make a huge difference to your Christmas! Prize to be announced on this date! Donation of minimum €10 to enter the raffle. Each entry is a raffle ticket and enter as many times as you like! Please ensure you leave your name and contact email so we can contact you if you win. Donate and enter here: https://tinyurl.com/6a4jdw95  12 December – Competition time! A chance to win a fantastic prize that will make a huge difference to your Christmas! Prize to be announced on this date! Donation of minimum €10 to enter the raffle. Each entry is a raffle ticket and enter as many times as you like! Please ensure you leave your name and contact email so we can contact you if you win. Donate and enter here: https://tinyurl.com/6a4jdw95 

On Wednesday 3 November, the Leinster Society, led by Chair Jilly Harvey, hosted the virtual 44th Published Accounts Awards, with MC Gráinne Seioge. Congratulations to all the winners. Category  Winner  Large Not-for-Profit      CRC Small/Medium Not-for-Profit   Barretstown Large Quoted Company  CRH Small/Medium Quoted Company  Dalata Hotel Group Large Company listed on a Foreign Market  DCC Euronext Growth Award Origin Enterprises Statutory Unquoted Large Entity (IFRS)  ESB Statutory Unquoted Large Entity (non-IFRS)  daa CSR & Sustainability (Listed)  Kerry Group CSR & Sustainability (Non listed)  ESB Best Branding, Communication and Marketing   Concern Best Digital Reporting  Dalata Hotel Group Diversity & Inclusion: General  Central Bank of Ireland Diversity & Inclusion: Not-for-Profit  Trocaire Highly Commended Award  Jigsaw

Annual survey from Chartered Accountants Leinster Society shows changing work practices & values focused on health and work-life balance following Covid-19 2 September 2021 - A new survey published today places the average salary package (including base salary, car or car allowance, plus bonus) for a Chartered Accountant in Leinster at €112,033, consistent with recent years. But in contrast to previous surveys, a strong shift in work practices, values and priorities has emerged for many following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.  The survey of more than 1,000 Chartered Accountants, published today by Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society in partnership with Barden, Ireland’s leading accounting and tax recruitment firm, and in association with Coyne Research, provides the most up-to-date guide to Chartered Accountant salaries and employment prospects in the Leinster region. Strong Earning Potential  The survey, carried out between 22 July and 9 August, highlights strong earning potential for those entering the profession, with newly qualified (2020 and 2021) Chartered Accountants receiving an average salary package of €57,164. The majority of members surveyed said they hold full-time permanent roles (96%), up slightly on 2020 (95%). Over 4 in 5 (82%) said their total remuneration has increased within the past three years, with 1 in 3 claiming it has increased by more than 25%. The survey also showed a significant increase in those anticipating a bonus payment in 2021 (67%) versus 2020 (52%), with €20,000 the average bonus expected to be paid this year. At 85%, the majority also have a pension, unchanged from 2020, with employers contributing on average 9% of their salary. New Ways of Working  As with many professions, the pandemic has changed how Chartered Accountants work with regards to place of work, the role of technology, and hours worked. Key findings include:   8 in 10 respondents considered location flexibility (a mix of home and office/client location, work from anywhere) the most valuable aspect of flexible/hybrid working for the future More than 8 in 10 believed personal productivity tools such as MS Teams, Zoom, etc. have positively impacted their career However, almost half (48%) of Chartered Accountants also claim they are working more hours at home than they were when working in the office 60% know what their future working arrangements will entail, while one-third (32%) do not yet know – but among this group, 7 in 10 would like to collaborate with their employer on a plan Just 6% would be happy to return to a full-time, Monday to Friday office routine in the future. Future Outlook  At this stage in the pandemic, respondents are more positive about the future, both in terms of their own personal career progression and the outlook for the profession in general.  Key findings include: More than two-thirds (67%) believe the employment market is buoyant, a significant change from 25% in 2020. Only 9% believe the market is contracting in 2021 compared to 36% in 2020 Over half (51%) said they have been promoted in the last three years, with one-fifth of members moving job in the last 12 months. This remains on par with recent years 90% of Leinster Society members are not concerned about job security, a significant improvement on last year when Ireland was in the early stages of the pandemic. At that time, almost one fifth (18%) of those surveyed expressed concern about their job security  Just 4% said their salary has reduced as a result of the pandemic, versus 13% in 2020  Only 3% were in receipt of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, a fall of 6% on 2020. Jilly Harvey, Chairperson of Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society, said: “While our survey shows that 84% don’t believe the pandemic has changed their work as a Chartered Accountant, it is clear that ways of working have changed, and that the pandemic has been a catalyst for much of this change. Greater work-life balance with flexible arrangements are valued by members in greater numbers than in any previous Leinster Society survey. It is reassuring that employers are providing tangible ways to meet those needs as part of the overall remuneration package on offer to new and established professionals. The survey points to a profession that is adapting well for the post-pandemic world of work, while retaining the many benefits, such as strong starting salaries and flexible entry routes, that make Chartered Accountancy an attractive career path for so many.” Elaine Brady, Managing Partner at Barden, said: “This survey gives employer firms, recruiters and anyone considering a career in Chartered Accountancy the big picture on what it means to work as a Chartered Accountant in Leinster today. The findings look far beyond the traditional remuneration packages to ask about the real life work arrangements and non-financial benefits increasingly valued by employees. Over half of those surveyed are satisfied with their work/life balance and the non-monetary aspects of their job. As Ireland emerges further from the pandemic, all the signs point to continued confidence in both the employment market and equally the career progression outlook for Chartered Accountants across Leinster.”  Where Chartered Accountants Work The survey highlights the wide range of industries and sectors that Chartered Accountants work in. The majority of members surveyed work in Dublin (84%). Of the 19% of members employed in practice, 48% work in a Big 4 practice. 68% of those working in practice are in a Manager or Director role. The majority of those not working in practice currently work in financial services (25%). Members also work in IT and Telecommunications (13%), Government/Public Sector/Education (10%), Construction (8%), Pharmaceutical (8%), and across a broad range of other sectors including manufacturing, not-for-profit / charities, food industry and more. Among those not employed in practice, almost four in ten (39%) work for companies that are a subsidiary of a foreign-owned multinational compared to a private Irish company (29%) or the business unit of an Irish plc (11%). ENDS Note to editors The survey was conducted by Coyne Research on behalf of Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society, in partnership with Barden, between 22 July and 9 August 2021. About Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society is a district society of Chartered Accountants Ireland, representing over 14,950 Chartered Accountants throughout Leinster. Chartered Accountants Ireland is Ireland’s leading professional accountancy body, representing 29,500 influential members around the world and educating 7,000 students. The Institute aims to create opportunities for members and students, and ethical, sustainable prosperity for society. An all-island body, Chartered Accountants Ireland was established by Royal Charter in 1888 and now has members in more than 90 countries.  It is a founding member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, the international network of over one million chartered accountants. It also plays key roles in the Global Accounting Alliance, Accountancy Europe and the International Federation of Accountants.   Chartered Accountants Ireland members provide leadership in business, the public sector and professional practice, bringing experience, expertise and strict standards to their work for, and with, businesses in every sector. Chartered Accountants Ireland engages with governments, policy makers and regulators on key issues affecting the profession and the wider economy. About Barden Barden is a partner led expert recruitment firm consumed with supporting companies that really know the value of their people. Barden’s expertise covers Accounting, Finance, Tax, Legal and Financial Services recruitment. Our people are trained/qualified in their expert areas, and our approach is consultative not transactional.  Barden has proudly partnered with the Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society, for the last 4 years, to bring you the annual salary survey. Over the next 2 years Barden will also be working closely with Chartered Accountants Student Society of Ireland (CASSI) to make sure their members get access to the right information, at the right time so when they qualify they can make the right decisions about their professional future. For more information: Jill Farrelly PR & Communications Manager Chartered Accountants Ireland

As she leaves office as Chairman of the Leinster Society, we were delighted to catch up with Áine Crotty to ask for some reflections on her year. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background? My name is Áine Crotty, I am an Associate Director in KPMG's Risk Consulting Practice and current Chairman of the Leinster Society of Chartered Accountants Ireland. I was born in New York , but I moved to the real capital, Cork, when I was six. My strong American accent at the time was quickly replaced by my lovely Cork twang, which I hear only increases in intensity when I talk to other Corkonians. Why did you choose Chartered Accountancy, and how did you get here? Chartered Accountancy sort of found me rather than vice versa. I was just back from my Erasmus year in Germany and the “big-4” accountancy firms were starting to do the milk rounds. As most final year students will be familiar with, the pressure was on to try and figure out what I wanted to do after University, where I was studying a Bachelor of Commerce with German in UCC. I went to the careers fairs on campus and learnt fairly quickly about the traditional Chartered Accountancy route through training with a big-4 practice firm. I never studied accounting, avoiding it even at Leaving Cert level (thinking at the time that accountants weren’t “cool”), but I decided to explore the opportunities further by attending the information evenings held by the big 4 accountancy firms.  The opportunities the qualification would open up for me and the experience that could be gained from doing the graduate programme in a firm like KPMG was immediately evident from those information evenings and talking to trainees who were going through the grad programme. So, I interviewed with KPMG in the Hayfield Manor in the first week of November 2012 and here I am nine years later.  I can safely say that my opinion of accountants has completely changed (and I don’t think I’m biased here!) Most of the accountants I have trained and worked with to date are some of the greatest and most fun people I know. What do you value most about your membership of the profession and how do you think those benefits can be used to support the economy and society?  The massive network that I am now a part of and its global reach. My network has grown significantly through my membership of Chartered Accountants Ireland, and it continues to grow today, even at the same pace as pre-Covid-19. The profession and its relevant District Societies have adapted significantly to the circumstances that the global pandemic presented and have allowed us all to continue to grow our networks even in a virtual world. This adaptability to allow people to continue to connect virtually has helped society from a wellbeing perspective – it has allowed its members to stay connected in an isolated world where lockdowns were frequent and I feel this significantly helped our physical and mental health. I feel that businesses in the community have benefited from this also, in particular small businesses with a link to chartered accountants as a number of supports were opened up to them virtually during the pandemic. Here at the Leinster Society we also offered webinars to businesses such as providing guidance on the rescue options available to them during the pandemic. I feel our members, our society and our economy has benefited hugely from the massive network Chartered Accountants has to offer, allowing us all to learn and grow from each other.    If you weren’t an accountant, what do you think you would you be/have been?    I would love to be able to say that I have always had the dream of being something exciting like an astronaut or a Formula 1 driver but I’m afraid that’s not the case (mainly because I am afraid of heights and far too risk averse to be a race driver – perhaps that’s how I ended up in Risk Consulting). However, I have always had a desire to help people so I reckon I would have been a social worker or carer of some sort. One of the biggest advantages to me and the thing that has also brought me the most joy in my role as Chairman of the Leinster Society has been all the people we have been able to help through our wellness programme this year. We have hosted a number of wellbeing webinars covering physical, mental and nutritional health with some fantastic speakers. We reached more members than ever through the use of virtual platforms and we raised vital funds for organisations such as the Irish Cancer Society, Pieta House and the five children’s charities we supported through our Christmas Charity fundraiser. So while I may not be working directly in a care-giving profession, being Chairman of the Leinster Society this year has allowed me some crucially important opportunities to help others for which I am extremely grateful to have had.   You have just completed your year as chair of the Leinster Society. I know it was totally unforeseen how this year would be, but can you tell us some of the highlights of the year for the society and the benefits for you personally. To say that this year has been the complete opposite to the year I had envisaged when I took the Vice Chairman's Chain from Brian Murphy at the AGM back in June 2019 is an understatement. I refer to it as wiping the slate clean, all pre-booked venues were cancelled, all meetings were booked into Microsoft Teams, and I was facing a year of the complete unknown. However there has been a significant number of highlights and benefits to both the Society and me personally. I made history in being the first ever Chairman of the society to be virtually elected, and hosting the society’s first ever virtual AGM in its 92 years of existence (and successfully so). I met some incredible speakers, learning so much from them about personal, physical and nutritional wellbeing. A lot of these speakers may previously have been out of reach for us but in moving to a virtual world the doors were opened to a whole new range of speakers. We have had the opportunity to collaborate with the other district societies on some fantastic events such as our International Women’s Day Conference where we covered three hugely important topics. Pre-Covid, we were prevented from doing joint events by geographical restrictions. Moving to a virtual world has broken down those barriers and meant we could collaborate with our counterparts anywhere in the country or even those on the other side of the world. But the ultimate highlight for me of course has to be my public proposal from Dustin the Turkey on our Children’s Charities fundraiser. Is there anything you would have done differently during your term as Chair?  I can honestly say there isn’t a thing I would have done differently. It was a completely unprecedented year, and at times it was extremely tough, but I would do it exactly the same all over again if I had to. Covid has taken away a lot of loved ones from us and a lot of people have suffered but we can’t turn a blind eye to all the opportunities and life learnings that it has presented us with. I have built and drawn on levels of resilience I did not know I had and I have learnt to truly appreciate the important things in life. I have hosted virtual events with amazing people who I would not have otherwise had the opportunity to meet. I have helped a huge number of people who I would not have been able to reach without the full support of the society, my fellow committee members and the support staff in the Institute. So to conclude I would like to thank all those who supported me in my role as Chairman of the Leinster Society this year (unfortunately we only have six minutes so I won’t list them all). And finally, I hope that having read this article you will stop for a moment to appreciate all the opportunities that this new way of connecting has presented to you and reflect on the positives arising from the last 13 months, while looking forward to a bright future.   Don't forget to check out your own district society.

'A challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change. So let's all choose to challenge.' International Women's Day has been running since 1911 and is a day where we celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness about women's equality and lobby for accelerated gender parity. This year join all of the District Societies and the Diversity & Inclusion Committee on Friday 5 March for our first ever joint virtual International Women's Day Conference, hosted by Institute Vice President Sinéad Donovan.  Choose your agenda for the day, as we offer you three separate sessions to join, each with a range of high profile speakers and relevant themes; Sport, Education and Diversity & Inclusion. Session 1: 9.30-10.30am - book here Session 2: 11am - 12pm - book here Session 3: 12.30 - 1.30pm - book here More info to come on this exciting event very soon. Stay tuned!   INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY SPEAKERS SPORT SESSION Nicola McCarthy is a sports broadcaster and presenter, with over 10 years experience working in sport - across TV, radio and online platforms. She currently works for BBC 5 Live, BBC Sport and Manchester City TV among others, as well as hosting various events and running her own business – Rondo, which works with elite athletes on social media, content creation, personal branding, commercial partnerships etc. as well as curating niche sporting events. She spent five years working at Manchester City TV, reporting and commentating on the first team domestically, in Europe and beyond - including coverage of three Premier League and three League Cup title wins. She has also reported and commentated extensively on Manchester City women in the Women’s Super League and in Europe. She has also reported on other key events across various sports, including Rory McIlroy’s 2011 US Open win and Ireland’s 2009 Six Nations win. Niamh Briggs is an Irish rugby player born in 1984 who plays as fullback for the Ireland women's national rugby union team. She made her debut for Ireland in 2008 against Italy. She played at the 2010- and 2014-Women’s Rugby World Cup. She made her international rugby sevens debut at the 2016 Rugby Europe Women's Sevens Grand Prix in Kazan, Russia. Briggs attended Waterford Institute of Technology and worked for the Garda Síochána, the Irish police force. She played for Dungarvan R.F.C., Clonmel R.F.C., UL Bohemians R.F.C. and the Ireland women's national rugby union team.  Briggs was credited with the winning points that brought a Grand Slam win for Ireland on St Patrick's Day in Milan in March 2013 and she captained Ireland for the 2017 Women’s Rugby World cup   Sonia O'Sullivan is one of the country's most successful athletes and undoubtedly one of the greatest Irish sports people ever. Born in Cobh in County Cork, Sonia spent many years running around the hills of Cobh before embarking on an Athletics Scholarship to Villanova University. Sonia followed a trail of Irish athletes to Villanova where she graduated in 1992 with a degree in Accountancy ahead of her first Olympic Games in Barcelona.She has been a regular contributor to RTÉ Sport analysing European and World Championship Athletic Events, has authored two books to date and writes a regular column in the Irish Times.Some of Sonia's proudest achievements include: Four time Irish Olympian, current World record holder over 2000m, three times World Champion, World Cross Country long & short course, three times European Champion, Twelve times All-Ireland Champion, and currently holds ten Irish records in every distance from 1000m to half marathon, as well as Dublin City Marathon Winner 2000. Sonia lives in Melbourne, Australia with her daughters Ciara and Sophie. Ireland will always be home to Sonia and she has spent a lot of time commuting from Australia.   EDUCATION With over twenty years’ experience in education management, Dr Orla Flynn commenced her role as President of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in March 2020, having been Vice President for External Affairs at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) for the previous six years. Prior to that she led the CIT Crawford College of Art and Design for 8 years following periods as Head of School of Humanities and Head of Department of Media Communications at CIT. She was a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Computing for 13 years before that at CIT. Dr Flynn holds undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Mathematical Physics and Computer Science from University College Cork, an MA in Management in Education from WIT, and a PhD from the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick. Dr. Caroline McGroary is a Chartered Accountant and Lecturer who is passionate about the role of education in transforming lives and society. Originally from Donegal in the North West of Ireland, Caroline trained as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte. Soon after qualifying, she joined Dublin City University (DCU) as a Lecturer in Accounting in its Dublin campus. In 2013, DCU entered a partnership with Princess Norah University (PNU), the largest women’s only university in the world. Driven by her passion for creating impact through education, Caroline moved to Saudi Arabia to be part of this ground-breaking partnership in the education of Saudi women. Over the last eight years, Caroline’s holistic approach to education has allowed her to successfully align her work in the classroom with burgeoning global social issues such as gender equality and sustainability. Her work has been recognised at international conferences and has been nominated for several awards for innovation, excellence in teaching and impact. Caroline recently received the Chartered Star Award from Chartered Accountants Ireland and will represent the profession at the One Young World summit in 2021. Here she looks forward to collaborating with other young leaders to create social impact.  DIVERSITY & INCLUSION Sara R Phillips is a Trans activist working in Ireland. She has been involved with trans activism for over 28 years. She is currently in her third 3-year term as Chair of the Board of Directors of Irelands national trans organisation, Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI). She is the founder, researcher and archivist of the Irish Trans Archive. Sara was one of the lead negotiators to the Gender Recognition Act 2015 and served on the Governmental review of the act in 2018.   Sara was honoured as Dublin LGBTQ Pride Grand Marshall in 2018. Sara is also a board member of the International Trans Fund in New York, a board member of Transgender Europe and recently was elected to the board of the National Women's Council of Ireland. Sara is currently the National Manager in Ireland for multinational construction materials manufacturer CPG-Europe.  Louise O’Donnell is the Head of International Operations, Strategy, and Legal & Compliance at Oman Insurance Company. She is based in Dubai, UAE and is responsible for the management of OIC operations in Turkey and Oman.  Louise also manages the key strategic partnerships which are long term relationships which have developed with well known international insurance companies.  In addition she oversees the Legal & Compliance teams.  She is part of OIC Executive Management Team and also a Board Member of two seperate entities which are owned by Oman Insurance Company.   Louise was awarded Women Leader of the Year in 2019 by the Middle East Insurance Industry Awards which was the inaugural year to celebrate the contributions that women bring to the insurance industry.     Baz  Ashmawy is  an Emmy  and  IFTA  Award  Winning TV  and Radio  Broadcaster  who  has  been  a  truly  exciting  Talent  on  our airwaves  for  over  ten  years. Most  recently,  Baz  presented ‘DIY SOS’ on RTÉ One. During this show, Baz and his team set out to renovate the  homes  of  deserving  families,  changing  their  lives forever. In  December  2020,  Baz  presented  the  documentary ‘Fungie’s  Kingdom’on RTÉ  One where  Baz headed  to  Dingle  to investigate further into where Fungie spent many years. His show ‘Wingman’ aired to phenomenal praise on RTÉ One. The show saw Baz  guide many  different  characters from  all  walks  of  life  on a journey towards making their dreams a reality. The show has been commissioned for a second series.  

DCC has been named the Overall Winner of the Chartered Accountants Leinster Society Published Accounts Awards 2020. It was also awarded winner in the ‘Company listed on a foreign market’ category.  The Published Accounts Awards celebrate the best in Irish corporate reporting in companies, state bodies and charitable organisations, large and small throughout Ireland. Now in their 43rd year, the awards, sponsored by Euronext, takes place virtually for the first time today with guest MC Síle Seoige.  The judging panel noted that reports using clear language, that was precise and explained complex accounting and reporting issues without jargon, scored highly. The judges also urged that changes in regulation and accounting standards should not result in longer reports and were happy to see that there had been a reduction in the average number of pages in the Annual Report amongst entrants.  Chairman of Chartered Accountants Leinster Society, Áine Crotty said: “It is extremely encouraging to see the calibre of reporting right across the board among this year’s winners. Our entrants this year faced a number of challenges brought on by the onset of Covid-19. Nonetheless this did not impact on the quality of the Annual Reports produced and this just showcases the resilience of our members and their organisations and teams. Well done to all those shortlisted and awarded today.”  Head of Equity Listing Ireland at Euronext, Orla O’Gorman, said: “The annual report continues to be one of the most powerful communication tools that a company has when engaging with stakeholders, particularly in this new digital world. It enables them to showcase their business in both financial and non-financial terms, in order to speak to the diverse range of interests of their stakeholders. Euronext is a strong advocate of excellence in stakeholder reporting and congratulates all those shortlisted and receiving awards at this event.” ESB maintained its track record in 2020, winning the ‘Statutory Unquoted Large Entities’ Award for the tenth year in a row.   The full list of award winners is as follows: Category Winner   Overall winner  DCC  Highly Commended  NI Water  Large not-for-profit  Concern  Small/Medium not-for-profit  Barretstown  Company listed on a foreign market  DCC  Statutory Unquoted Large Entity (IFRS)  ESB  Statutory Unquoted Large Entity (Non-IFRS)  DAA  Euronext Growth Award  Total Produce  Small/Medium Quoted Company  Kenmare Resources  Large Quoted Company  CRH plc  CSR and Sustainability Award (Listed)   Kenmare Resources  CSR and Sustainability Award (Unlisted)  NI Water  Diversity & Inclusion Award  An Post  Highly Commended Diversity & Inclusion Award  Barnardos  Best Digital Reporting Award  Origin Enterprises  Best Branding Communication & Marketing Award  Barnardos  

Chartered Accountants Leinster Society has announced the shortlist for its Published Accounts Awards for 2020 which reward companies for excellence in financial reporting in Ireland. The Awards are sponsored by Euronext Dublin.This year’s shortlist includes a total of 31 public and private companies, including not-for-profit organisations. The winners will be announced at a virtual event, taking place on 5 November 2020.FINALISTS FOR THE 43rd PUBLISHED ACCOUNTS AWARDS 2020 Small / Medium Quoted Company Kenmare ResourcesIrish Continental GroupDalata Hotel GroupGlenveagh PropertiesCairn HomesLarge Quoted CompanyCRH Kerry GroupGlanbiaCompany Listed on a Foreign MarketDCCGrafton GroupUDG HealthcareEuronext Growth AwardOrigin EnterprisesTotal ProduceCpl ResourcesUnipharStatutory Unquoted Large Entity (IFRS)IPUTAn PostNI WaterESBEirgridStatutory Unquoted Large Entity (Non-IFRS)Central Bank of IrelandCoillteTusladaaLarge not-for-profitCRCConcernHousing Finance AgencyBarnardosSmall / Medium not-for-profitBarretstownThe WheelThe Care TrustIn addition to the category awards, there are also a number of other awards consisting of;• Overall Winner’s Award from across all categories, • CSR and Sustainability award,• Branding, Communication & Marketing award,• Best Digital Reporting,• Sustained Excellence Award,• Diversity & Inclusion Award.To register or for more information please contact leinstersociety@charteredaccountants.ie or call 01-6377219. 

The average salary package (including such elements as base salary, pension scheme, health insurance) for a Chartered Accountant in Leinster remains steady at €109,989, a marginal decrease from €112,582 last year. The survey of more than 1,000 Chartered Accountants, published today by Chartered Accountants Leinster Society in partnership with Barden, Ireland’s leading partner led expert recruitment firm, and in association with Coyne Research provides the most up-to-date guide to Chartered Accountant salaries and employment prospects in the Leinster region. While overall salary packages have remained steady for the majority, the survey, conducted during August, reveals some evidence of pay cuts among employees – just over 1 in 10 claim to have had their salary reduced as a result of COVID-19, over half of whom had their salary reduced by more than 10%. Almost 4 in 5 say they their employers have been “good” or “very good” in adapting to working from home arrangements. At the same time, many employees working from home have felt an increase in workload, with almost 1 in 2 reporting working longer hours than when they were office-based.  Overall, the resilience of the profession comes across among respondents, demonstrating the importance of a strong accountancy function in organisations at a time of such uncertainty. Only 18% of respondents are “quite” or “very” concerned about job security at the moment. The annual survey also highlights the importance of other types of remuneration to members. Over half of respondents (51%) say they had the ability to work from home before COVID-19, while 49% say they could avail of flexible working arrangements (including flexitime and time in lieu). 85% report having a pension scheme and, of those, employers contribute to 91% of them. Just over half receive health insurance as an employment benefit. Key findings include: 84% of respondents place value on work / life balance or flexible working arrangements, and would sacrifice between 5% and 10% of their wages for a better work life balance or to have flexible working arrangements.  (86% in 2019.) 56% of respondents say they are satisfied or very satisfied with their work / life balance. (62% in 2019.) 82% of Chartered Accountants have received a salary increase within the last three years (85% in 2019), with 3 in 10 of members obtaining an increase of over 25%. 51% of respondents have been promoted in the last three years. (51% in 2019.) 22% have moved to a new job in the last 12 months, on par with last year.  25% believe the market for Chartered Accountants is buoyant (85% in 2019). 36% believe the market is contracting (5% in 2019).  Commenting on the findings, Áine Crotty, Chairman of Chartered Accountants Leinster Society, said: “The 2020 Leinster Society salary survey shows that pay remains consistent for Chartered Accountants in this unprecedented and challenging time. It is reassuring to see that many members are satisfied in how their employers shifted to remote working and flexible working arrangements, which is key as we head into the future and deal with the realities of COVID-19. “This survey gives employer firms, recruiters and those who may be considering a career in Chartered Accountancy a reliable insight into the profession. Chartered Accountants Ireland offers a range of flexible entry-routes into the profession so that students can work and learn in a way that best meets their individual needs, which is increasingly important in the current environment.” Elaine Brady, Managing Partner, Barden, said: “We are delighted to partner once again with the Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society annual salary survey. For us in Barden it’s absolutely critical for us to be able to provide our clients with cutting edge insights on reward so that they in turn can make informed strategic decisions on talent attraction and retention and managing their teams. “The insights gained from this survey, especially at this challenging and uncertain time for Irish business, will help to drive key decisions especially when it comes to businesses and their teams. It is very positive to see that in the main remuneration remains consistent, however at this stage it is difficult to see the true impact of this pandemic on Irish business. Another positive outcome of the survey is the excellent flexibility amongst employers, who in the main have been quick to adapt and facilitate their teams working remotely, which no doubt will shape the future of how we work.” Bernadette Coyne, Managing Director at Coyne Research, said: “This survey highlights the fact that the average pay has remained similar to last year’s survey, however we see some members having their pay cut since the onset of COVID-19. While most members say their company transitioned well to working from home arrangements, this has to be taken in the context of many having to work more hours at home than they would have in the office.” Where Chartered Accountants Work The survey highlights the wide range of industries and sectors that Chartered Accountants work in. Of the 15% of respondents employed in practice, 47% work in a Big 4 practice and 53% in a Non-Big 4 practice. 83% of those working in practice are in a Manager or Director role. The majority of those who do not work in practice are currently working in financial services at 25%. Respondents also work in IT & Telco (14%), Government and Public Sector / Education (9%), Construction and Property (7%), and many other sectors including manufacturing, not-for-profit / charities, food industry and more. Of those not employed in practice, 37% work for companies that are a subsidiary of a foreign-owned multinational compared to a private Irish company (28%) or the business unit of an Irish plc (12%). Most respondents surveyed work in Dublin (82%).   ENDS  Notes to editors This survey of more than 1,000 Chartered Accountants was conducted by Coyne Research on behalf of Chartered Accountants Leinster Society and Barden between 12 August – 27 August 2020.  Chartered Accountants Leinster Society is a district society of Chartered Accountants Ireland, representing 13,586 Chartered Accountants throughout Leinster.     Barden is a partner led expert recruitment firm consumed with supporting companies that really know the value of their people. Barden’s expertise covers Accounting, Finance, Tax, Legal and Financial Services recruitment. Our people are trained/qualified in their specialist areas, and our approach is consultative not transactional. Barden has proudly partnered with the Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society, for the last 3 years, to bring you the annual salary survey. Over the next 3 years Barden will also be working closely with Chartered Accountants Student Society of Ireland (CASSI) to make sure their members get access to the right information, at the right time so when they qualify they can make the right decisions about their professional future.

Over the course of 3 weeks in July and August, Leinster Society Chairman Áine Crotty hosted a packed wellness programme designed to tackle the 3 key areas of wellbeing; physical, nutritional and mental health. Physical health with Emma Dowling, Empowered MamaThe programme got off to a flying start with our first special guest Emma Dowling of Empowered Mama.On Wednesday 22 July at 7.30am Emma started us off with a workout session geared towards pre and post-natal mothers, with excellent tips and useful information for those who want to start a new fitness routine, or tailor their current fitness regime to suit. To watch back Emma’s session, click hereOn Thursday 23 July at 7.30am Emma turned the intensity up a notch with a more universal workout catered to all our members at any fitness level! To watch back Emma’s session, click hereNutritional health with the Happy Pear The programme continued Thursday 30 July with Steve and Dave, the energetic Happy Pear Twins.The cook along kicked off with a delicious, healthy and quick chickpea curry, with chat and loads of interaction throughout, including 5 tips for a happy healthy life. The twins finished off with a 5-minute chocolate mousse which will impress any party guest!Throughout the cook along we encouraged our attendees to take pictures of their culinary masterpieces for a chance to win a signed copy of the twins’ new book. Congratulations to Kevin Prendergast and Fiona Shine who impressed us with their creations! To watch back The Happy Pear’s session click hereMental Health and resilience with Nigel Owens, MBEThe finale of our Summer Wellness Programme took place Thursday 06 August and featured the one and only Nigel Owens MBE.Nigel gave an incredibly honest and open insight into his life growing up in rural Wales, his struggles with his sexuality and the massive obstacles he had to overcome mentally to find the happiness and success he has achieved today.Nigel spoke about acceptance and how accepting oneself can positively impact on your happiness and in turn your job performance. Nigel also gave some very useful tips for overcoming difficult situations and building resilience. Several questions from participants saw Nigel discuss everything from his funniest memories on the pitch, to his challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic and his plans for the future. Congratulations to our two winners of our “Guess the Speaker” competition Mary and Tom, who received a signed copy of Nigel’s book.  A massive thank you to all who tuned in to the Leinster Society Summer Wellness Programme over the 3 weeks and provided invaluable feedback which will allow us to build upon these worthwhile events in the future.  Finally, many thanks again to our sponsor Glennons for making it all possible.

At the LCSA we would like to update our members with regard to the solutions that Glennons have in place to insure the cars of family members, including young drivers. This scheme has received fantastic feedback in relation to the exclusive savings and benefits that have been provided since it was introduced.  Having recognised the difficulty in obtaining Car Insurance where there are multiple vehicles in the family, and in particular the high cost associated with young drivers, Glennon have arranged an Exclusive Family Multi-Car Insurance policy for Chartered Accountants Ireland members. This policy provides excellent policy benefits together with significant premium discounts for households with more than two cars in the family and can cater for the following: Cover for your children’s cars whilst residing with you or studying away from home Facilities to add your children or au pair as named drivers to your own cars Luxury, High Performance or Classic Cars Cars registered in a company name Discounts for multiple cars on a single policy Please see an example below of the savings that have been achieved. Total Savings Produced for the member was €3,010 Glennon Family Multi-Car Policy with: 4 Cars (BMW X5, Mercedes C220, Mini Cooper and Volkswagen Polo) 4 Drivers aged 57, 53, 24 and 21 years old. The Standard Premium Based on 4 individual policies was €7,050 The Premium on the Glennon Multi-Car Policy was €4,040. To qualify for this policy the primary car must be valued in excess of €30,000 when new and is subject to eligibility criteria being met. Brendan, Chartered Accountant, Glennon Multi-Car Policy Client “Glennon Insurance have been my motor and home insurance broker for 30 years, providing a professional, competitive and personalised service.  But recently I presented the real challenge. We went from a standard two car quote with two named drivers to needing insurance cover on three cars with two adult drivers and three young drivers aged 18, 20 and 22 with minimum no claims bonus or driving experience. In addition one of our children’s polices needed to be in their own name.  But Glennon had the solution. Their multi-Car Family policy with Chubb offered a very competitive quote, much better than anything I could find in the market (and I tried!).  The policy was flexible and they also facilitated the cancellation and refunds of our existing polices on the new policy date. It was simply great that Glennon had the foresight to introduce a product that meets the family needs of their clients. I have since recommended the products to neighbours and friends and will continue to do so” In order to obtain a quotation contact Glennon’s dedicated Multi-Car team on 01 7075955 or visit Glennons website if you would like more information. Frank Glennon Limited, trading as “Glennon” and “Glennon Insurances”, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Supporting post-COVID economic recovery will be top priority for largest accounting body. Following today’s AGM, the gender balance of the Institute’s Council stands at 50:50.  Paul Henry has been elected President of Chartered Accountants Ireland for 2020/2021 at its 132nd Annual General Meeting today, held virtually for the first time. Addressing the Chartered Accountants Ireland AGM, Mr Henry said his key priority as President of Ireland’s largest accounting body would be to harness the ability, experience and expertise of its membership network to support economic recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addressing the challenges of COVID-19, he said: “This is, of course primarily a public health crisis and businesses have rightly taken unprecedented steps to protect their staff and the public. “As we come through the immediate threat of the pandemic, we will face the significant challenge of rebuilding the economies of the island of Ireland. I believe that our 28,500 members working in leadership, finance or advisory roles throughout Irish business, will play a key role in kick-starting the recovery and ensuring that business bounces back strongly. “It will be the challenge of a generation, requiring a collaborative approach between business, political leaders and the public sector. Chartered Accountants Ireland will be a strong supporter and advocate for the business community and the positive impact that a renewed economy can have for all throughout our society.” Mr Henry said that as well as supporting its current members, Chartered Accountants Ireland would work to highlight the opportunities available to a new generation of potential trainees within the profession. He said: “Economic rebuilding will create opportunities, particularly in finance and leadership roles. We believe that Chartered Accountancy training is the best possible business education and is more flexible than ever before, creating great opportunities for those seeking to train, whether they are a school-leaver or an experienced business professional.” Mr Henry, who takes over as President from Conall O’Halloran, is a Director with Belfast based property consultancy Osborne King and has extensive experience of real estate, insolvency and corporate finance. A resident of Belfast, Mr Henry qualified with Pricewaterhouse in 1989. Prior to his current role, he held positions with the Industrial Development Board, Enterprise Equity, PricewaterhouseCoopers and ASM Chartered Accountants.  He also served as Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society in 2014. At today’s AGM, Pat O’Neill was elected Deputy President of Chartered Accountants Ireland. Sinead Donovan was elected Vice-President. Following today’s AGM, the gender balance of the Institute’s Council stands at 50:50. Progress is also being recorded at wider membership level, which is currently 42 per cent female and 58 per cent male. ENDS For more information:  Jill Farrelly PR and Communications Manager Chartered Accountants Ireland jill.farrelly@charteredaccountants.ie/087 738 6608 About Chartered Accountants Ireland Chartered Accountants Ireland is Ireland’s largest and longest established professional body of accountants founded in 1888. The Institute, which is an all-island body, currently represents over 28,500 members around the world. Chartered Accountants Ireland is a founding member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, the global alliance that brings together over 1.8 million Chartered accountants and students in more than 185 countries. Update For a synopsis of press coverage arising, please see here.

This year’s shortlist includes a total of 36 public and private companies, including not-for-profit organisations. The winners will be announced at a special gala evening event, taking place in The Shelbourne Hotel on Thursday 7 November 2019 commencing at 7.30pm with Mario Rosenstock as MC. Congratulations to all of our finalists, we wish them the best of luck on the night!  Small / Medium Quoted Company Dalata Hotel Group Glenveagh Properties Irish Continental Group Kenmare Resources Permanent TSB Large Quoted Company AIB C&C Group CRH Glanbia Hibernia REIT Kerry Group Kingspan Group Company Listed on a Foreign Market DCC Grafton Group UDG Healthcare Euronext Growth Award Malin Corporation Origin Enterprises Total Produce Statutory Unquoted Large Entity daa EirGrid ESB Large Not-For-Profit Barnardos Concern Worldwide Trócaire Small / Medium Not-For-Profit Aidlink Barretstown The Care Trust In addition to the category awards, there are four other awards, consisting of an Overall Winner’s Award from across all categories, a Social Responsibility Reporting Award, a Branding, Communication & Marketing Award and an award for Best Digital Reporting. We have also introduced four brand new categories to this year’s awards: A Sustained Excellence Award, a Best Newcomer Award, a Sustainability Award and a Diversity & Inclusion Award. All shortlisted companies qualify for consideration for the additional awards, and we have also shortlisted the following additional companies for consideration: Bord na Móna Bank of Ireland Central Bank of Ireland CPL Resources FBD Holdings Hostelworld Group RTÉ SEAI Tusla Child and Family Agency Tickets are on sale now for this event. For more information email leinstersociety@charteredaccountants.ie