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.

Dr. Caroline McGroary, a Chartered Accountant and Lecturer with Dublin City University (DCU) was recently awarded the Chartered Star by Chartered Accountants Ireland, and will represent the profession at this year’s One Young World Conference in 2021. Here she hopes to contribute to discussions around the role of education in preparing for the fourth industrial revolution, with a particular focus on the challenges regarding accessibility, affordability and the need to keep gender equality at the forefront of the education agenda. Having trained with Deloitte, Caroline wanted to use her qualification to get into lecturing and was delighted to join DCU in 2010. In 2013, DCU signed a partnership with an all-female Saudi university and Caroline, along with three colleagues, travelled to Saudi Arabia to set up a division of DCU Business School. The original remit was acting as Programme Director teaching business, accounting and finance modules through English, as well as training Saudi lecturers, but it quickly became so much more. Caroline became involved in many impactful projects over her time here, one of which was centred around developing the financial literacy skills of her students and women in the wider community. Caroline is now based between Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and her home in Donegal.  Ahead of International Women’s Day, Caroline outlines her experiences of being a Chartered Accountant and her work in Saudi Arabia, and how she will #ChooseToChallenge for this year’s International Women’s Day.  What inspired you to make the move to Saudi Arabia?  I have always been very passionate about the role of education in transforming lives. Through my own experiences both as a Chartered Accountant and Lecturer, I have experienced first-hand the value of a good education. Mindful that education is not something afforded to everyone, which can lead to gross inequality and exclusion in many societies, this was a real driving force behind my decision to move to Saudi Arabia in 2013.  How do you feel being a Chartered Accountant has helped you in your journey?  The Chartered Accountancy qualification is often branded as a “passport” to one’s future career as it is globally recognised and is considered the “gold standard” in accountancy education and training. I completely endorse this view, as being a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland has not only provided me with a set of skills and values which I can apply in many settings, but it has also provided me with an international platform to pursue a very meaningful career. In particular, the global mobility of the qualification has opened many doors during my time in the Middle East, including providing opportunities to work with other Chartered Accountants, working alongside the Irish Ambassador to Saudi Arabia to establish the Irish Business Network, and working with other high-profile organisations including the Saudi government.  On a personal level, being a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland has allowed me the opportunity to meet many inspirational people and to be part of impactful community projects and groups, including the FinBiz2030 Taskforce. It also inspired me to pursue my passion for education and to complete a PhD in the area of professional accountancy education. These experiences have given me a different perspective on how I can use the qualification to achieve positive impact both from a personal and career perspective.  Is there a strong network of Chartered Accountants in Saudi and in other places you have been? I’m grateful to have met many Chartered Accountants while travelling abroad over the years. I’ve also had the opportunity to use the strength of this network in both my role as a lecturer and in the wider business community. A perfect example of the power of this network is demonstrated through a financial literacy initiative developed in 2019. This project helped develop the financial literacy levels of our students, as well as women in the local community, with an awareness campaign reaching over 1 million social media users. Some students described this initiative as “a life changing experience”, with others referring to the knowledge gained as “a life skill which I can apply in business and in my personal life”.  This initiative was borne out of an initial conversation with a former colleague in Deloitte, who then connected me with their fellow partner in Deloitte in Saudi Arabia. The Deloitte team worked with us over a few months to develop an educational experience for both staff and students.  Other Chartered Accountants also engaged with us, from both Ireland and the UK, and by the end of the semester the initiative had gained the support of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, along with other key partners including the Saudi Ambassador to the US. This example is a great reminder of the power of the Chartered Accountant network and, most importantly, what can be achieved when Chartered Accountants come together to work on meaningful and impactful projects. How have you seen Saudi Arabia change since you first arrived in 2013?  Over the last number of years Saudi Arabia has been undergoing an economic and social revolution. As a result there has been progress in many areas, particularly regarding the empowerment of women in Saudi society including changes to guardianship rules and allowing women to drive. However, the reforms that have been of most interest to me are those around the education of women, including the commitment of the Saudi government to increasing female economic participation. I believe these reforms will fundamentally change the future of the country and it has been a privilege to help my students in this way.  How have you seen your students develop over the course of the programmes you teach? It is always a source of pride to observe the development of our students over the course of their degree programmes and their achievements upon graduation. For example, the employment rate of our Saudi graduates stands at approximately 90%, with many of these graduates also going on to pursue further education. This is significant, as it demonstrates the appetite for change regarding the employment and empowerment of women. At an individual level, I also see marked increases in the confidence and social awareness of our students as they progress through their degrees. This is noteworthy, as many student projects were based on addressing global issues yet were applied in their local communities, including the financial literacy initiative outlined above. In your own words, why do you believe financial literacy is key? Financial literacy refers to knowledge, behaviours and attitudes regarding financial decisions and long-term financial well-being. In the absence of such skills, individuals may lack the ability to make sound financial decisions in their professional and personal life, risking their future financial security and that of their family. It is also an essential skill in addressing the gender divide, as in many countries women are considered to be at higher risk of financial exclusion than their male counterparts. Therefore, I believe that financial literacy is an essential life skill and should be taught at all levels of our education system. From your experiences, what would be your advice for anyone thinking of studying Chartered Accountancy? My advice would be that if you want a meaningful career, a globally recognised qualification that provides you with strong technical and business skills across a variety of roles and industries, then Chartered Accountancy is definitely for you.  I would also advise prospective members to talk to other Chartered Accountants, as well as engaging with the Chartered Accountants Ireland “Chartered Career Chat” series, to learn about members’ experiences and perspectives of the qualification.  Finally, as we celebrate International Women’s Day 2021, how will you embrace this year’s theme #ChooseToChallenge? Over the last number of years I have gained a deeper appreciation regarding the importance of education in reducing inequalities in society. Given that I have the opportunity to represent Chartered Accountants Ireland at the 2021 One Young World summit, I #ChooseToChallenge and contribute to the conversation regarding the role of education in preparing for the fourth industrial revolution, with a particular focus on the challenges regarding accessibility, affordability and the need to keep gender equality at the forefront of the education agenda. 

  As influential members of every sector of the economy, professional accountants are uniquely positioned to help effect meaningful and positive change in a collective effort. To do so they require training and support to apply their skills to the challenge. Chartered Accountants Ireland is committed to providing our members with this support.   Sustainability is of global concern and relevance to us all, and businesses are vital to it. Following the shocks of the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are being called on to transform themselves, to rebuild, rebuilding a socially just, low-carbon and climate resilient economy and society. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) can provide a framework for businesses in this, but the business transformation required to achieve these goals goes beyond incremental improvements and adjustments to ‘business-as-usual’. The changes in 2021 and beyond will be dramatic, not just to the operations of business but across their value chains. In 2020, Chartered Accountants Ireland began the process of embedding sustainability throughout our activities. Advised by an Expert Working Group on Sustainability, we created a programme of work, held virtual events on sustainability topics and launched an online Sustainability Hub providing information, guidance and supports to help members understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents. We also published a short guide Sustainability for Accountants. This guide details the risks and opportunities presented by sustainability, and the steps that need to be taken to address the challenges. It also shares best practice examples and describes how organisations can transition to operating sustainably, successfully and cost-effectively. You can read more about our 2020 activities here. In 2021 we will be keeping pace with the urgency of this ‘decade to deliver’. We will be building on our sustainability activities and beginning our path to a positive climate and environment impact. We are currently working on a carbon plan for our Dublin office, and reviewing our carbon footprint. We are increasing our public policy activities and members events and have begun a series of ‘explainers’ articles in our weekly eNews on topics identified as being important focal points for members in 2021, including decarbonisation, the circular economy and biodiversity and what they mean for accountants. The topic of decarbonisation will first be addressed in a District Society event in March, and sustainability is the leading topic of the Institute's Annual Governance Conference in April. Working with the Expert Working Group on Sustainability of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA), and in association with the Accounting Bodies Network of A4S (Accounting for Sustainability),we will be contributing to the UN Biodiversity Conference in May (‘COP 15’) and the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (‘COP 26’). We are also delighted to be working as part of the One Young World and Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW) initiative, FinBiz 2030 in their goals to engage financial and business professionals to achieve the UN SDGs. Significantly, this year will see an Institute-wide ‘Sustainability Week’ from June 14-18. During this week we will launch Chartered Accountants Ireland’s own roadmap towards carbon neutrality, as well as publishing guides for members on the application to their businesses of topics such as the circular economy and biodiversity. We are running the first Chartered Accountants Ireland Sustainability Conference that week (June 16), and will bring together speakers on topics from sustainability reporting, sustainability finance and governance, as well as provide practical advice on decarbonisation programmes. Follow our activities in the Sustainability Centre on our website to find information on our Expert Working Group on Sustainability, our events, resources, and sustainability related news. For all queries please contact Public Policy Officer Susan Rossney at susan.rossney@charteredaccountants.ie

Chartered Accountants Ireland is a global organisation, with members living and working all around the world. Our network of very active District Societies are a way for members to network professionally and personally. They are a great way to offer and give support, as well as for those living overseas to keep in touch with us here in Ireland. This week, Tuesday 26 January is Australia Day so we are taking the opportunity to reach out to our 1,037 members who call Australia home. So, where is everyone?   State Number of members  New South Wales  617  Victoria  227  Western Australia  91  Queensland  49  South Australia  6  Northern Territory  3  Capital Territory  3  Tasmania  2  Not stated  39 Australia Day is a national holiday, so we hope our members are enjoying a day off. We invite members to Tweet and tell us what you are doing to mark the day this week, using the hashtag #CharteredAustralia We'd love to hear from you! And don't forget that if you are a member living in Australia, your District Society would welcome you getting in touch. The Society Executive is Cathy McDermott, and she can keep you updated on events and activities the Society arrange.