"I value most the practical training we received".
Can you tell us where you're from?
I'm originally from Midleton, Co. Cork
And why did you choose to become a Chartered Accountant?
I chose Chartered Accountancy as I saw it as the best professional qualification with which to start my career.
What do you do now and how did you get to where you are today?
I work as a senior manager controlling in a chemical company in Switzerland. What has helped me most throughout my career is to focus on delivery to my customers whether internal or external and to continually be open to new challenges and learn through various means.
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?
I value most the practical training we received. For example creating financial statements from incomplete records may not have been glamorous work but it provided lessons one never forgets. The qualification helps one to guard and value assets - something that sometimes gets lost in society. I am also enthused how I can use my experience in the ESG world. One of our next steps is to put a value on natural assets e.g. whales etc... and to guard these as we would "normal“ financial assets.
As a member living overseas, can you talk to us about how your membership has been of value to you globally and if there is anything you would like to see your institute do more of to support members overseas?
I have been in Switzerland 11 years and it has not been very clear that finance people here understand the Chartered Accountant qualification. One is acknowledged as a qualified accountant but the brand is not seen as it is in Ireland and the UK. I do think we can better support the brand especially in the Switzerland : Germany area.
And finally Michael, if you weren’t an accountant, what do you think you would you be/have been?
When I was at school I also thought of doing law or journalism. Yes I could definitely have seen myself in a court room.
View Michael's LinkedIn profile here.