Position papers

This year's edition of the Institute's annual position paper, The Next Financial Year, is a blueprint of the Institute’s public-policy thinking, relevant to issues that affect the lives of entrepreneurs, workers, and their communities. As a compendium of ideas representing our 30,000+ members its canvas is broad and holistic, ranging from technical accounting, tax and governance issues to hybrid working, sustainability and digitalisation.

Three areas in particular are addressed: supporting SMEs, making work and employment attractive, and signposting the journey to net zero. This applies to both jurisdictions and is analysed in detail.

Researched by Prof Ciaran Connolly and Dr Elaine Stewart of Queen’s University Belfast, The Reform of Ireland’s Public Sector Accounting examines the key changes to be considered by the Irish Government while planning public sector accounting reforms. It includes:

• the preparation of accrual accounting information compliant with international public sector accounting standards;
• central government consolidated financial statements; and
• harmonising accounting practices across the Irish public sector.

Drawing on the views of representatives from government departments, agencies, and advisory organisations and individuals, the position paper concludes by recognising the ambition of the planned reforms.

In July 2020, Chartered Accountants Ireland published The Next Financial Year: Making Irish Business More Competitive, a position paper which identifies pathways to a better business environment post-pandemic.

Informed by extensive engagement with members working in practice, industry, SMEs and the public sector, the paper sets out proposals to create workable solutions and alternatives across a range of areas, including digitalisation, tax measures and business supports now open to Government / policymakers to consider.