Conference Format
Join us for our upcoming online conference on 18 September 2025, hosted via our virtual platform. The event will run from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:15 PM (please note: end time may vary slightly depending on your session choice). A Zoom link will be emailed to all participants the day before the event.
Morning Plenary Session
Our panel of expert speakers will explore how building
resilience and embracing reinvention are not only achievable but essential
skills for success in 2025 and beyond.
Afternoon Sessions
These will be organised and delivered by the District Societies, offering a range of engaging and informative topics.
CPD Allocation
The conference provides 17 CPD hours, 7 hours of live CPD:
- Morning session: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (3 hours)
- Afternoon sessions: 1:00 PM
– 3:00 PM (2 hours) and 3:15 PM – 5:15 PM (2 hours)
All afternoon sessions will be recorded and made
available to participants who attended the live event.
Members may claim an additional 2 hours of CPD for each recorded session viewed. We recommend logging these hours in your personal CPD records.
Who should attend?
This conference is suitable for accountants, and other business professionals, at all levels and from all sectors, given the scope, agenda and fast-moving pace of the sessions.
Conference Overview
These sessions are currently being curated and may be subject to change:
Morning Plenary Session:
- Opening Address: (TBA)
- Key-Note speaker: Breaking Barriers: Making your Mark (Cora Staunton)
Cora Staunton is widely recognised for her trailblazing career across multiple sports, including ladies' Gaelic football, rugby union, and Australian rules football. Her journey is emblematic of resilience, adaptability, and the courage to challenge norms. Join us to hear Cora's take on Making your Mark.
- Breaking Barriers: Challenging perceptions
(Adrian Whelan, BBH), - In this session, Adrian will share his personal and professional journey-emphasising the power of authenticity, resilience and speaking up. His talk will explore how individuals and organisations can dismantle limiting beliefs and foster environments where diverse voices thrive.
- Breaking Barriers: Practical Ways to Overcome
Obstacles (Dawn Leane, Advancia)
The session is designed to equip you with actionable strategies to identify and overcome both personal and professional barriers. Dawn's emphasis will be on practical takeaways that participants can implement immediately to improve confidence, decision-making, and career progression.
- Breaking Barriers: Scaling a Business (Anthony
Gallager, Petstop). - Anthony's session will explore the journey of scaling Petstop from a single outlet into Ireland's leading independent pet retailer. His talk will blend strategic insights with personal anecdotes, offering practical steps for entrepreneurs and business leaders aiming to grow sustainably and competitively.
Afternoon Sessions - Participants can choose from the following sessions:
- Financial resilience for SMPs - Cork Society.
- Alison Walsh, Business Advisor, Local Enterprise Office South Cork.
- Jonathan Lynam, Managing Partner, Murphy Lynam Solicitors.
- Volunteering on Boards - Northwest Society.
- Niall Fitzgerald, Chartered Accountants Ireland.
- David Duffy, Chair of The Corporate Governance Institute & ATI
incoming President.
- Rachel Rodgers, Director, Legal Affairs and Registration, The Charities
Regulator.
- Neurodivergence in the workplace - Ulster Society.
- Andrew Toogood, Proclaim.
- Kerry Phillips, Danske Bank.
- Beth MacDougall, EY.
- Anti-money Laundering (AML) - Western Society.
- Kevin Kerrigan, founder and head of product at AML HQ.
- UK and Irish GAAP periodic review; preparing for changes -
Mid-West Society
- Claire Thomson, Director and Head of UK Financial Reporting, Grant
Thornton.
- John Cleary, Risk Compliance and Professional Standards, Grant
Thornton.
- Leinster Society - details to follow.
- London Society - details to follow.
All afternoon sessions will be recorded and made available to participants proceeding the live session.
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of this conference, participants will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of and receive relevant insights on how to overcome the obstacles, unlock potential, and take steps toward lasting success.
- Have a greater understanding of the subject matter of their selected afternoon topic.
Note for Legacy CPA Members
Members who joined Chartered Accountants Ireland following the amalgamation on 1 September, please continue to book on the CPA Portal here
to ensure you receive your member discount.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding this or any other CPD course or
requirements, please feel free to contact the team here or call us at (+353) 01 523 3930