Six questions in six minutes for Kevin Nyhan

Can you tell us a little about where you're from?

My name is Kevin Nyhan. I'm originally from Bandon in West Cork but have lived and worked in Cork City for many years. I really enjoy living in Cork which has the spirit of a town and a really good atmosphere and strong business and community spirit. It has the benefits of city living yet I'm still only a short drive from West Cork and the scenery, beaches and food scene that Cork has to offer.

Tell us why you choose to become a Chartered Accountant and how you got here?

I've always had an aptitude for numbers and during secondary school I was always interested in business. I was attracted to a career in business and as I considered what to do after school, accountancy seemed to be a really good career that would give lots of opportunities. 

I'm probably unusual for accountants of my age in that I chose not to go to college and instead went down the direct entry route. After my Leaving Certificate I started a training contract with Parfrey Murphy Chartered Accountants in Cork. I did a five year training contract and qualified at the end of 2006. I received really good training there and a grounding in all aspects of accounting, auditing and tax which still stands to me today. I stayed with Parfrey Murphy until 2010 when I left to do some travelling. 

After returning home I knew that I wanted to gain experience working outside of practice. AIB were hiring accountants to work as part of the lending teams dealing with SME customers and I joined on a one year contract with the intention of gaining some experience and then moving on to try another sector. However 10 years later I'm still here! I have moved around and worked in a number of different roles and areas and have gained really good experience. I currently work in Credit Risk where my job is to assess and decision loan and funding applications for the Corporate & Institutional Banking division which includes large indigenous and multinational corporates as well as large property and real estate finance transactions. It's really interesting work and my accounting qualification has been key to helping me do my job.

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 recognition and value placed on the Chartered Accountant qualification by businesses and non-accountants has been the key benefit to me personally. People may not be fully aware of what accountants always do but I feel there is a general recognition that accountants are well trained in their profession and bring key disciplines and experience that can be applied to any sector and beyond the core finance area.

Chartered Accountants have always played a leading role in the economy and contribute back to society. Many members use their professional skills to support charities and clubs as officers, particularly in treasurer roles, and members do tremendous work which is often unnoticed and under the radar. I was previously a volunteer with CAVA (Chartered Accountants Voluntary Advice) an initiative of Chartered Accountants Ireland. CAVA works together with the Citizens Information Service (CIS) and Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), to provide advice to local people who cannot afford the services of an accountant. It's a great service and a strong example of how we as a profession can use our skills to support society.

You have just completed your year as chair of the Cork 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.

I've been a member of the Cork Society Committee for seven years and I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It has given me opportunities to build networks within the local business community and to develop personal skills, particularly public speaking and communication skills.

It certainly has been an unusual year as chair and COVID has dominated everything during my term. However the society has evolved how we do things and serve our members by swiftly moving all our activities online. It hasn't always been easy and we haven't been able to put on our full complement of events but we were able to deliver a strong calendar of events. Highlights for me included hosting a really interesting discussion with Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform who is also a Chartered Accountant. Also, we have been able to work more closely with the other district societies than ever before. Organising joint events with them has been really good and something I hope can continue beyond COVID.

Is there anything you would have done differently during your term as Chair?

Given the circumstances that COVID has presented it was always going to be a challenging year, trying to adjust and still deliver a calendar of events. However I think as a committee and a district society, we managed to continue to serve our members. I'm really proud that we were able to do so despite the unprecedented challenges. Unfortunately we were unable to host some of our flagship in-person events including the annual Daffodil Day breakfast for the Irish Cancer Society and our Christmas Lunch. I remain hopeful that we will be able to run those events over the next year in some shape or form.

And finally, Kevin, if you weren’t an accountant, what do you think you would you be/have been?

Like every child I probably harboured dreams of a career as a professional athlete but my severe lack of skill and ability put an end to that! I've always been interested in politics and public affairs so I think if I hadn't become an accountant I may have worked in that area. On a completely different front, I have a real interest in food and particularly coffee so perhaps whenever I hang up the calculator I might finally fulfil the dream of opening a small coffee shop.