The landscape of international trade has shifted dramatically with the EU-US framework agreement on tariffs, marking a watershed moment for Irish businesses. While the deal averted a potentially catastrophic trade war, the agreed 15% baseline tariff represents a fundamental departure from the tariff-free environment that many Irish exporters have long taken for granted. More concerning still, recent signals from Washington suggest that this may only be the beginning of a more protectionist era.

As of 16 July 2025, Section 22 of the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Act 2024 has officially come into force, bringing a significant change to Ireland’s audit exemption regime.

This update introduces a more balanced approach, moving away from the previous automatic loss of audit exemption after just one late filing.

As I prepare for the final interview stage of my Chartered Director qualification, I’ve been reflecting more deeply on the responsibilities that come with sitting at the boardroom table. How can a board provide proper oversight of management while still giving it the autonomy it needs to be effective?

When a business sees lower-than-expected profits, the focus often turns to increasing sales. But growth isn’t always the answer, especially if underlying costs are quietly eroding margins. In many cases, improving profitability starts by understanding exactly where your money is going and identifying what can be done more efficiently.

Big investments can shape the future of a business but only if they’re made with clarity and purpose. Whether you're thinking about upgrading equipment, investing in new technology, expanding your premises, or adding a new fleet vehicle, large purchases should be assessed not just for affordability, but for impact. A rushed or reactive decision can tie up working capital, increase debt, and reduce flexibility. A well-considered one can drive growth, reduce inefficiency, and support long-term strategy.

A good budget doesn’t just track what you’ve spent, it maps where your business is going. Strong financial planning is essential to managing growth, controlling costs, and responding to change. Whether you are expanding your operations or tightening costs, a clear and realistic budget helps business owners stay focused, prepared, and accountable.

Over the next four years, Irish businesses will see a significant transformation in payroll regulations, systems, and compliance obligations. From SEPA file updates to pension auto-enrolment and gender pay gap reporting, employers need to act now to prepare for what’s coming.

When we talk about resilience in business, it’s easy to focus solely on the numbers. Managing cash flow, planning for different financial outcomes, and maintaining liquidity are all critical. But resilience is about more than financial planning. It’s about ensuring your business can continue to operate, adapt, and recover when faced with disruption.

The conversation around workplace equality continues to grow, and Ireland is making significant progress in tackling one of its longest-standing challenges: the gender pay gap. In 2025, businesses across the country face expanded reporting requirements that demand focused attention and early preparation.

The workplace is undergoing substantial change. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, which draws on insights from over 1,000 global employers across 22 industries, we are entering a new phase of workforce transformation. For Irish businesses and employees, these shifts bring both challenges and significant opportunities.

The payroll landscape is changing rapidly. From AI to international compliance, staying ahead requires continuous learning and adaptation. That’s exactly what our team experienced at the Annual Payroll Conference & Exhibition 2025, held on 16 May, a single day packed with practical updates and strategic insights.

Just back from two excellent days at Accountex UK 2025, and as always, the value came not just from the headline topics but from the opportunity to step out of the day-to-day and reflect on where our profession is headed and what that means for how we support businesses.

Small businesses are at the heart of Ireland’s economy—driving innovation, supporting communities, and creating local jobs. To support this vital sector, the Irish government provides a range of grant schemes designed to help businesses grow. Unlike loans or equity investments, grants are non-repayable when used correctly.

With the economic environment becoming increasingly more unpredictable, financial stability can’t rely on static projections alone. From shifting consumer trends to evolving legislation, businesses are being asked to adapt faster and smarter than ever before. Scenario planning has emerged as a practical way to prepare for uncertainty while maintaining focus on long-term goals.

Ireland’s retirement framework is set to change significantly with the introduction of the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025. This legislation will provide employees with the right to remain in work until the State Pension Age (currently 66) even where their employment contract specifies an earlier retirement age, such as 65 or below.

In today’s competitive environment, small and medium sized businesses have access to a powerful and increasingly accessible asset: artificial intelligence, commonly referred to as AI. While many business owners still view AI as a tool for large technology companies or firms with significant budgets, it is becoming increasingly clear that AI can be just as transformative, if not more so, for smaller operations.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GenAI) are transforming the business landscape. These advanced technologies are capable of learning, analysing, and generating new outputs, acting as powerful tools to improve efficiency and decision-making across all industries.

Many businesses already track financial metrics like profit margins, debt ratios, or cash flow. But knowing what these numbers are isn’t enough. To truly benefit, business leaders must use them to inform strategic decision-making, from hiring and pricing to expansion and investment.

When we think of reinvention, we often imagine scrappy startups pivoting to survive. But for mature companies with legacy reputations, reinvention is more complex. It’s less about radical change, more about careful recalibration. A recent segment on Bloomberg’s Wall Street Week offered a timely look into how one such business, New Balance, is managing this ongoing challenge.

CFOs and finance teams are under considerable pressure to ensure smooth operations, make better decisions, and support company growth. However, traditional methods—such as extensive spreadsheets and outdated software—are increasingly ineffective.