EY to create 520 jobs across Ireland

Financial services firm EY is creating 520 new jobs both to shore up its existing core practices and develop business around information technology, science and engineering.

One of Ireland’s big four accountancy firms, EY intends to hire 215 experienced candidates, on average salaries of €65,000 per year, to deal with “exceptional growth” in its consultancy practice and fill a variety of roles in areas including data analytics, IT advisory, digital strategy and customer experience.

The new hires will also deal with “ongoing demand” in the firm’s core audit, tax and corporate finance practices.

Additionally, EY will increase its graduate intake by 57 and plans to hire 305 graduates by this September. The experienced hires are expected to be in place over the next six to 12 months.

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"It's an evolution of the kind of businesses that we have," EY's newly appointed managing partner, Frank O'Keeffe, told The Irish Times.

"While geopolitical uncertainty and technological disruption will undoubtedly present challenges for businesses and the Irish economies, Ireland is facing these challenges from a position of great strength and flexibility. As a result our client needs are evolving and more innovative solutions are required."

Regional offices

Of the 520 new hires, 338 will be in the company's Dublin offices while the remainder will be spread throughout its five regional offices – in Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was "delighted" EY had announced the new roles adding that it's the Government's ambition to "retain home grown talent and also attract highly skilled workers from abroad".

As it deals with its expanding workforce, EY has developed technology to allow for flexible working. Additionally, Mr O’Keeffe flagged that the firm is “always considering real estate options within Dublin” and said that “flexible office space is quite important to us”.

Cost of rent

He added that the company recently introduced an up front rental allowance for graduates living away from home who join the firm to deal with the increasing cost of rent.

“If we have the best talent and the best clients in Ireland we will grow our business,” he said, commenting on the company’s incentives.

In the last two years EY’s headcount has increased 36 per cent and it now employs more than 2,500 people on the island of Ireland.

Mr O’Keeffe said the firm recorded “market leading growth” over the past four years and, in particular, recorded organic growth last year of more than 12 per cent.