FINANCIAL REPORTING
Leadership Insights
Leadership Insights
  • Agile leadership emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, and rapid response to change, focusing on empowering teams and fostering innovation this was very evident in CPA during Covid and post Covid. Collaborative leadership involves engaging all members in decision-making, encouraging open communication, and leveraging diverse perspectives to solve problems this again is very evident in our amalgamation with CPA Ireland.  Together, these approaches create a dynamic environment.
    Aine Collins,
    Past President, CPA Ireland

  • Develop a curiosity. As leaders we need to be curious about everything, about what the possibilities are, what the future opportunities and threats might be, and be able to see issues from different perspectives, and be proactive in seeking and using feedback.
    Geraldine Ruane,
    Council, CPA Ireland
  • There’s an old saying that “the best way to keep in with your neighbours, is to keep away from them!”. In my experience, the opposite applies to business. Keep all stakeholders properly informed and then “the road ahead should rise to meet your feet…”
    John White,
    Past President, CPA Ireland
  • An Institute that knew its members and a membership who trusted their Institute.
    Alan Farrelly,
    Past President, CPA Ireland
  • Always do the right thing, even when nobody is looking. Living with integrity is easier than not.
    Brendan Allen,
    Past President, CPA Ireland
  • Good outcomes happen when we plan diligently and lead well but long-term success arises when we also mentor and encourage all of the team.
    Clodagh Heneghan,
    President, CPA Ireland
  • Real leaders inspire and motivate others by empowering their team to achieve the collective goals that they have set and realise the vision that they advocate.
    Michael Kavanagh,
    Vice President, CPA Ireland
  • CPA is a model of seamless leadership in which every participant is made feel as if they themselves are leaders.
    Gearoid O’Driscoll,
    Past President, CPA Ireland
  • Being authentic is fundamental to leadership. So, first of all, be yourself. Secondly, be the best version of yourself that you can possibly be and never stop learning.
    Eamonn Siggins,
    Chief Executive, CPA Ireland
  • Business ownership is challenging, engage with reliable, reputable Firms/Individuals. Focus on the job ahead, break it down into small components, never look too far ahead.
    Michael Dolan,
    Past President, CPA Ireland
  • Looking back as President of CPA Ireland during the covid pandemic, it is clear to me that nothing could have been achieved without the collaborative effort of all at CPA in achieving our common goal for all our members and students – in short, we thrived because of our teamwork. My favourite motto in difficult times “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better”, (Samuel Beckett).
    John Devaney,
    Past President, CPA Ireland
  • Leadership for me isn’t just about giving directions; it’s about understanding and guiding people towards a common goal. Creating a supportive environment where innovation thrives and everyone feels valued demonstrates true empathetic leadership.
    Gillian Cregan,
    Vice President, CPA Ireland
  • One of the most persistent misperceptions is that people in leadership positions are always leaders. But people who make it to the top may have done so because of political acumen, not necessarily because of true leadership quality. What’s more, real leaders are found all over the organization, from the executive suite to the shop floor. By definition, leaders are simply people who have followers, and rank doesn’t have much to do with that, (Goffee & Jones).
    Trish O’Neill,
    Director of Services to Members, CPA Ireland
  • One of the goals of a leader is to move an organisation forward. In today’s fast paced and complex business world, leaders need to be able to make strategic decisions quickly and without wavering. This has been especially true over the past number of years where we faced unprecedented situations which were evolving sometimes on a daily basis. Acting decisively, pivoting quickly, continuing to monitor and evaluate and exercising resiliency helps to lead a business and organisation through the ever changing business environment.
    Carla Manning,
    Council, CPA Ireland
  • CPA and has only came about from the top down culture and leadership of Eamonn & his team. It is the end of an era but perhaps the start of a new journey! I will certainly use the leadership leanings in other areas of my life and the great things we have learned in that journey. The CPA executive, council, past Presidents and members have all benefited from this education and leadership which will and is being used by so many in their organisations and business.
    Cormac Fitzgerald,
    Past President, CPA Ireland
  • I am a great believer in treating Leadership as a process like any other business process. My view is that leaders are information nodes to a multitude of processes; their working day involves receiving, processing and transferring information to their immediate staff, managers and external stakeholders. Leaders are responsible for the health of an organisation and its results, both financial and non-financial!
    Joe Aherne,
    Past President, CPA Ireland
  • Effective Leadership encouraging a culture of innovation to stay ahead in a competitive landscape is critical to the trust placed in the Accountancy profession.
    Cormac Mohan,
    Past President, CPA Ireland
  • We have a huge input to the SME community offering a very professional service and excellent back up advice small businesses.
    Richard O’Hanrahan,
    Council, CPA Ireland
  • For anyone entering the accountancy profession, a common misconception is focusing solely on financial prospects. In reality, whether it’s accountancy, law, bricklaying, or plumbing, I always advise prioritising mastery in your field. When you excel in your craft, success naturally follows as there’s always demand for exceptional people. Once you find great people, they don’t need to be managed because the best people already know what to do. That’s where leadership comes in: empower them by providing clear goals and objectives. Leadership is about stepping back to let talented individuals thrive while guiding them towards shared goals.
    Brendan Brady,
    Council, CPA Ireland
  • Leadership is not just about having a vision; it’s about taking actionable steps to turn that vision into reality and inspiring others to join you on that journey.
    Judith Condell,
    Director Business Development, CPA Ireland
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