Technology Conference 2026 (ROI/NI)

Format

This course will be delivered via our online conference platform on Friday 23 January 2026 from 9.30am to 1.30pm. The link to acess this course will be emailed to participants the day before the course is due to take place.

Who should attend

This conference is suitable for qualified accountants, and other business professionals, who work in either business or practice.

Course overview

Our Incredible lineup of speakers this year include -

• Paul Darcy, Digital Forensic Specialist, Department of Justice, speaking on:

Accountants and AI, Pro's and Cons

• Michelle Garrigan, Dublin Global Information Security Site Lead & EMEA Cyber Threat Defence Lead, Bank of America, speaking on:

AI Powered Threats and the Rising Cost of Cybercrime: A Guide for Accounting Leaders

• Andrew May, CFO, Cricket Ireland speaking on:

The Digital Advantage: How Tech‑Enabled Metrics Transform Business Growth

• Dave Hackett, Managing Director, The Information Lab, speaking on:

Decision-Grade Truth: How AI redefines the Accountant’s value

• Paul Redmond, CEO, RDA Accountants
• Ross Boyd, Managing Director, RBCA Accountants

Our panel  will discuss - Insights in Focus: A Conversation with Paul Redmond & Ross Boyd

• Joanne Hillery, Regional Sales Lead, Circit, speaking on:

Evidence, Evolved: The Digital Audit Shift

Key learning outcomes

Hear real-world perspectives on the future of accounting in an AI-enabled world.
Gain insights into leadership strategies for navigating technological change.

Speaker Bio's

Paul Darcy is digital forensic specialist in the Department of Justice . In an earlier life, he was part of the Microsoft Windows development team in Redmond, WA.

Michelle Garrigan -Michelle is a recognised leader in the cybersecurity industry, specializing in cyber threat intelligence, malware defence, network defence, and application monitoring. With extensive experience leading cybersecurity teams, Michelle is the Dublin site lead for Global Information Security (GIS) and leads the Cyber Threat Defense team in EMEA. In her current role, Michelle drives strategic initiatives to safeguard critical infrastructure and sensitive data, leveraging deep expertise in threat detection, response, and mitigation. Michelle originally joined Bank of America in 2019 as the Country Information Security Officer with responsibility for Information Security risk management in Ireland and the European entity, BofA Europe DAC. In her professional capacity, Michelle is a committee member of the EMEA Threat Intelligence Community.An advocate for advancing cybersecurity practices, Michelle actively contributes to the global security community through speaking engagements, thought leadership, and collaboration with industry peers. Her work combines technical excellence with a strong focus on building and mentoring high-performing teams. Michelle’s passion for cybersecurity extends beyond her professional responsibilities. She serves as a committee member of the Irish Information Security Forum, mentors aspiring professionals, and volunteers for initiatives that inspire young talent in technology. She is an advocate for collaboration, continuous learning, and fostering an inclusive security culture across the industry

Dave Hackett is the Managing Director at The Information Lab Ireland, where he has led the company since 2016, bringing a strong focus on data strategy, analytics and business intelligence to global enterprise organisations across Ireland. With a background in finance and accounting, Dave combines domain expertise in Finance with advanced data analytics and AI to help businesses transform their reporting, automate workflows and drive better decision-making through trusted insights.

Joanne Hillery As Head of Ireland at Circit, Joanne relies on her chartered accounting background and fintech leadership experience to help audit and professional services teams independently verify assets and transactions. She helps firms focus on strengthening audit evidence, increasing financial statement transparency, and building trust in the assurance process through secure, scalable verification technology.

Ross Boyd has over 25 years’ experience in advising business owners and government. He has founded several businesses and led their successful growth. Ross has worked globally but now centres his efforts from RBCA’s Belfast base servicing the UK and Irish markets. He is passionate about supporting clients and staff to develop and reach their full potential. Where you need robust analysis and constructive opinion-based advice Ross will be delighted to help. Ross spends most of free time afloat or helping others to enjoy water sports more, around beautiful Northern Ireland.

Paul Redmond is the founder of RDA Accountants, with operations across Ireland and the UK. He brings a practical, real-world perspective on the use of technology and AI in accountancy practice, drawing on day-to-day experience of how these tools are being used in firms today. Paul is the author of Connected Advice and Lead with Advice, and his work focuses on making technology understandable, responsible, and useful in everyday professional practice.

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

Note for Legacy CPA Members

Members who joined Chartered Accountants Ireland following 1 September 2024, please continue to book on the CPA Portal here to ensure you receive your membership discount