At EisnerAmper Ireland, we believe in developing not simply exceptional accountants and advisors, but exceptional practitioners. That is at the heart of our ‘Art of Practice’ Framework. Technical expertise and high-quality delivery will always be fundamental to what we do, but the relationships we build, the knowledge we share, and the connections we foster are equally important in shaping our careers and delivering the best outcomes for our clients.
That belief was the focus of our 2026 Mid-Year Academy, held at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in Dún Laoghaire. As a valued partner, the IADT campus provided an inspiring setting for a day dedicated to one simple but powerful theme: Connected.
Throughout the day, our people explored what it means to build meaningful connections with clients, colleagues and the wider business community, and why those connections matter to both personal success and the continued growth of our firm.
We were delighted to welcome an outstanding group of entrepreneurs for our opening panel, Connections with Founders, hosted by Barry Brennan, Venture Partner at Elkstone. Susie Kilcoyne of Locket AI Labs, Gearóid Keegan of Hedj Financial Risk Management and Alistair Bunch, Co-Founder and CTO of Global Nutrition Value Inc., each shared honest reflections on the realities of building businesses. While every journey was different, one message was consistent: opportunities are rarely created in isolation. Strong relationships, trusted advisers and supportive networks are often the difference between a good idea and a successful business.
From L-R : Barry Brennan, Venture Partner at Elkstone, Susie Kilcoyne of Locket AI Labs, Alistair Bunch, Co-Founder and CTO of Global Nutrition Value Inc. & Gearóid Keegan of Hedj Financial Risk Management.
Another standout session featured Stephen Mullin, CEO & Co-Founder, SFM Advisory Network, who spoke on the importance of developing and maintaining a professional network. His practical framework, the “8 Ups” of Networking, challenged the common perception that networking is an innate talent possessed by only a few. Stephen demonstrated that it is a skill that can be developed through curiosity, consistency and genuine interest in others. It was a timely reminder that every conversation has the potential to open a new door.
Stephen Mullin, CEO & Co-Founder, SFM Advisory Network
The day shifted the focus inward with our “This Is Us” session, led by Eithne Harley of Harley Advisory and David Dunne, Head of Client & Market Development, alongside Shaun Boyle, Head of Ireland West and Laura Murray, Senior Manager, GRC.
The session was about more than introducing the firm’s This Is Us toolkit. It challenged all of us to think about how we articulate what makes EisnerAmper Ireland different, how we build confidence in talking about our firm and how every interaction we have contributes to our reputation in the market.
Shaun and Laura brought these ideas to life through their own experiences of building trusted relationships throughout their careers, reinforcing that authentic connections are built through listening, curiosity and creating value for others.
From L-R: Eithne Harley of Harley Advisory, Shaun Boyle, Head of Ireland West, Laura Murray, Senior Manager, GRC & David Dunne, Head of Client & Market Development
The Academy concluded with interactive workshops where colleagues translated the day’s discussions into practical action, identifying opportunities to strengthen existing relationships, build new connections and make networking part of their everyday professional practice.
As the Academy concluded, one message stood above all the others: connections are currency. The relationships we invest in today help us solve problems, create opportunity and ultimately shape the future of our careers.
The day reinforced an important message for everyone at EisnerAmper Ireland. Technical excellence and industry knowledge remain at the heart of our profession, but it is strengthened by our ability to connect with people, understand their ambitions and work together to solve complex challenges. As we continue to grow our firm, those connections, with our clients, our colleagues and our wider community, will remain one of our greatest strengths.
A sincere thank you to all of our guest speakers, panelists and colleagues who contributed to making this year’s Mid-Year Academy such a valuable and thought-provoking event. We also extend our thanks to IADT for hosting us and for its continued partnership.
The Academy
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