Dublin accountancy firm Walsh O’Brien Harnett has emerged as the standout winner at the prestigious Irish Accountancy Awards 2025, claiming victory in both the large practice category and the coveted practice of the year award.
The ninth annual awards ceremony, hosted by Mario Rosenstock, took place at the Royal Dublin Convention Centre with 546 attendees representing the best of Ireland’s accountancy profession. The gala event featured the presentation of 25 trophies across various categories, with 64 companies submitting a total of 152 entries, demonstrating the robust health and competitive spirit of Ireland’s accountancy sector.
Established in 2016 following the merger of two long-established accountancy firms, Walsh O’Brien Harnett has quickly risen to prominence under the leadership of managing partner Frank Walsh. The company offers comprehensive services including accounting, audit, tax, advisory and corporate services, with particular expertise in the charity and not-for-profit sectors, including religious congregations, schools and community support organisations.
Upon receiving the awards, Walsh commented: “These awards are a testament to the dedication and commitment of every member of our team to ensuring we deliver the best professional service and advice to our clients whilst maintaining an inclusive and supportive work environment.”
The outstanding contribution to accountancy award was presented to Feargal McCormack, recognising his remarkable achievements during a distinguished career spanning over three decades. AAB, where McCormack serves as a senior partner, also celebrated success by winning awards in the employer and tax team categories.
McCormack, who founded FPM Chartered Accountants in Newry, Co Down, in 1991 before its merger with AAB in 2022, told the gathering: “Looking to the future, ethics must be embedded at the heart of the business landscape. An Irish chartered accountancy qualification is a global business and leadership passport for life. Go forward with confidence, have fun, embrace and enjoy the journey.”
The awards were presented in association with Sage. Paula Egan, the software company’s head of sales, commented: “This event is firmly on the map as one of the most influential gatherings in the Irish and wider accountancy community. For Sage, it’s a chance to connect with the heart of the profession and to celebrate their success.”
Rohith Garg, managing partner at platinum sponsor Axon Outsourcing Limited, described the awards event as one of the preferred platforms for socialising with top accounting practices and finance people in Ireland. “It’s a great event for thoughts exchange and for like-minded people to share innovative ideas,” he said. “I would like to thank the sponsors and congratulate all the winners of 2025 and all the very best for 2026.”
Among the award winners, Gillian Cregan, director of finance and operations at Law Society of Ireland, remarked: “Winning two awards recognises not only our technical excellence and innovation but also the collaborative spirit and dedication that define our work.”
Merry Mullen partner Declan Merry stated: “We are delighted to receive the medium practice award, celebrating the firm’s dedication to embracing technology, overcoming compliance challenges and staying up to date on technical and tax issues. This recognition helps us excel in a competitive labour market and demonstrates the strength of our team.”
Feargal Brady, chief executive at platinum sponsor No Frixion, said his firm supports the awards because they spotlight innovation and excellence in financial services. “Celebrating these achievements helps raise industry standards. As a regulated platform transforming money operations, it was especially rewarding to see our customers recognised,” he added.
Award finalist John Carolan, managing director at Solve Outsource, commented that the future of accountancy lies in modern, agile solutions that empower business owners with real-time clarity, shifting the role of accountants from number-crunchers to strategic partners.
Eimear Byrne, country leader at SD Worx Ireland, also a finalist, noted that the Irish Accountancy Awards “recognise the payroll professionals whose dedication builds employee trust, supports operational resilience and drives business success”.
Finalist Ger O’Connor said her practice Fuchsia Bell offers expert and online chartered accountant services, providing strategic financial guidance and comprehensive tax solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Larissa Feeney, chief executive at Kinore, said being named a finalist across five categories was a real honour. “[Last year] marked a major milestone for Kinore and this recognition affirms our commitment to innovation, client success and delivering lasting value in everything we do,” she added.
The Irish Accountancy Awards programme has been recognising excellence across the profession for nine years, attracting entries from firms of all sizes, teams and individuals who demonstrate exceptional service quality and significant value addition to their client organisations.
Judging coordinator John Gaynor expressed gratitude to the panel of twenty judges for their diligence in reviewing the submissions. “There was an extremely high standard this year, highlighting that the accountancy profession is leading the way as trusted advisers to organisations in a dynamic and fast changing world,” he noted.
The online practice award was presented to Borgo. “We’re really delighted to win this award,” said managing director Allan Egan. “It means a lot to the whole team, who work hard every day to support our clients. We’ve always believed in using technology to make things easier and more efficient for our clients and our team, and it’s great to see that approach recognised.”
Kevin O’Driscoll, director partnership programmes at awards organiser Business River, commented: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2025 sponsors, which include Sage, Axon Outsourcing Limited, No Frixion, Iris, Saffery, Financefair, ETL Global Ireland, Capitalflow, Iplicit Ireland, Pinnacle Global Group, Dornan Engineering Limited, A Turner Company, Mercia Ireland, Circit, and Search4less.
I also want to recognise our professional partner, Chartered Accountants Ireland, as well as our supporter, Amárach Research. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”
Awards judges
- John Gaynor (judging co-ordinator) – programme chair and lecturer on the BA in accounting, Atlantic Technological University – Sligo Campus
- Siobhan Blackwell – director, head of business, regulatory & supervisory management, TD Securities
- Brendan Brophy – senior cost accountant, Square
- Peter Brophy – managing director, Floirin Corporate Finance Limited
- Joseph Coughlan – professor of accounting and head of school of business, Maynooth University
- Evelyn Cregan – director of executive education and company secretary, The Institute of Bankers in Ireland (trading as IOB)
- Anthony Doherty – chief investment officer, NTR plc
- David Endersen – managing director, White Bear
- Pauline Haughey – project manager, Queen’s University Belfast
- Anand Kumar Pandey – head of finance, Actavo
- Niamh McCarthy – finance business partner, Primark
- Aisling McDevitt – director, PGIM IRELAND
- Dr Caroline McGroary – chartered accountant, lecturer in accounting and Fulbright scholar, Chartered Accountants Ireland, Dublin City University and Boston College
- Christine Nangle – head of discipline of accounting, TU Dublin
- Angela O’Leary – managing director, AG Associates Accountants
- Sean Quigley – non executive director, governance consultant and executive & team coach, Quigley Coaching & Consulting Services
- Audrey Shinnick – finance business partner, Alexion
- Michael Shovelin – lecturer – Strategy & Finance, Atlantic Technological University
- Olivia Smith – sustainability business partner, Sustainability Business Partner Freelance
- Andrea Waldron – lecturer in accounting and PhD researcher, University of Galway Ireland
- Edel Walsh – owner, Edel Walsh Coaching and Consulting
Award winners
Practice of the year (sponsored by Sage)
Winner: Walsh O’Brien Harnett
Large practice of the year (sponsored by Mercia Ireland)
Winner: Walsh O’Brien Harnett
Medium practice of the year (sponsored by Axon Outsourcing Limited)
Winner: Merry Mullen
Small practice of the year (sponsored by Pinnacle Global Group)
Winner: Incorpro
Online practice of the year (sponsored by Search4Less)
Winner: Borgo
CSR initiative of the year
Winner: KPMG – Books for Birdies
Rising star accountant of the year (sponsored by Circit)
Winner: Nifemi Ogunbiyi – Fenergo
Finance leader of the year (sponsored by No Frixion)
Winner: Richie Lennon – Around Finance
Finance team of the year – Large (sponsored by Financefair)
Winner: Flutter Finance
Finance team of the year (sponsored by Financefair)
Winner: Law Society of Ireland
Client service award (sponsored by Capitalflow)
Winner: Taxback International
Tax team of the year
Winner: AAB
Advisory team of the year (sponsored by Axon Outsourcing Limited)
Winner: Saffrey
Finance project of the year (sponsored by Iplicit Ireland)
Winner: Law Society of Ireland – Project Phoenix
Best finance collaboration (sponsored by No Frixion)
Winner: Lidl Ireland
ESG finance champion award
Winner: Dublin Port
Employer of the year (sponsored by ETL Global Ireland)
Winner: AAB
Transformation project of the year (sponsored by Iris)
Winner: Uisce Éireann – Transforming Water Services Payroll
Best use of technology in accounting and finance (sponsored by Sage)
Winner: Taxback International – Innovating the Future
Excellence in learning & development (sponsored by Saffery)
Winner: PAT Business School
Payroll team of the year – Large
Winner: Azets Ireland
Payroll team of the year (sponsored by Sage)
Winner: Beacon Locum Contracting
Excellence in education (sponsored by Dornan Engineering)
Winner: University of Galway – Clinical Taxation
Graduate training programme of the year
Winner: Pfizer Finance & Global Business Services Dublin
Outstanding contribution to accountancy (sponsored by Chartered Accountants Ireland)
Winner: Feargal McCormack
