Chartered Accountants Ireland notes targeted actions to support business and the domestic economy, such as changes to Revised Entrepreneurs Relief, the extension of the Special Assignee Relief Programme, and an increased rate of R&D tax credit, noting the role these can play in enabling Ireland to remain competitive in attracting quality employment and investment. Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members & Advocacy, said: “Global economic uncertainty presented government with a trade off in Budget 2026, and it is clear today that VAT measures have trumped personal taxes in the need to protect employment.    “For the first time in five years, income tax credits and bands have not been adjusted for inflation—meaning many workers will face an unexpected tax hike in 2026. Wage growth will push more earners into the 40% tax bracket, while rising PRSI contributions further erode disposable income. This squeeze on take-home pay, despite no change in tax rates, will inevitably impact consumer spending.”  Missed opportunity to reduce the burden of compliance for business On Enhanced Reporting Requirements, Cróna Clohisey said: “It is really disappointing that no changes to Enhanced Reporting Requirements were announced today. The onerous real-time reporting of tax-free small benefits and expenses is a compliance burden on businesses and not addressing this today was a missed opportunity.” Balancing the cost of doing business Chartered Accountants Ireland advocates on behalf of almost 40,000 members, with Institute research showing that 77% of SME members reported increased business costs in the past six months, the largest being labour costs. While the VAT reduction for food, catering and hairdressing services will be helpful in managing costs for some businesses, it will not address the cost pressures facing SMEs across other sectors of the economy. Cróna Clohisey said: “While the reduction in VAT for certain hospitality services may offer some relief to businesses in that sector, it does not address mounting cost pressures across the wider economy. For example, businesses have already been impacted by the increase in Employers’ PRSI from 1 October 2025 with further increases expected each year up to 2028 – a direct increase in the cost of labour. A more sustainable approach to easing these cost burdens is needed.” Supports for business At a time when countries globally are sharpening their industrial tools amid greater competition for investment, today’s changes to the R&D tax credit demonstrate the government’s commitment to research and innovation. Gearóid O’Sullivan, Head of Tax, Chartered Accountants Ireland said: “R&D is an extremely valuable tool to boost economic resilience and drive growth and job creation in the economy, and today’s increase in the R&D tax credit rate to 35% is very welcome. We look forward to further detail in the coming weeks on the government’s research & development compass which we hope will lead to meaningful changes to the relief to address divergence with industry practices. “In terms of broader innovation and enterprise supports, we know that barriers to access and administration can disincentivise businesses from claiming, particularly for time and resource-constrained SMEs. Such barriers should be reduced in favour of efficiency wherever possible.” Addressing the infrastructure deficit Chartered Accountants Ireland has engaged extensively in recent years on methods to address significant deficits in the State’s crucial infrastructure, which represent a threat to ongoing economic growth and investment. Commenting on the tax measures for new build apartments, Cróna Clohisey said: “The VAT cut on new apartment sales coupled with the targeted corporate tax deduction for certain construction costs on the building of new apartments should help address supply challenges given it will be implemented in a time limited and targeted way. Viability of certain construction projects has been cast into sharp focus in recent months, with CSO data showing a drop of 24% in apartment completions from 2023 to 2024. Today’s measures will hopefully jumpstart construction on many sites that already have planning permission.”  

Clare Murphy trained in EY in Waterford and spent some time in the earlier stages of her career in Sydney before moving back to Kilkenny and more recently has been based in Cork. Having progressed in her career over the years, she is excited to continue her career journey back in Sydney where she has two siblings and plans to return this autumn. Clare returns to Australia at a more advanced career level and has already started leveraging the strong network of members there. We caught up with Clare during her preparations. 1. Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in Wexford before moving to Bunmahon, Co. Waterford midway through my childhood. More recently, I have been living and working in Cork, though I will be returning to Sydney at the end of October. I studied Commerce International with German at University College Cork, which included an Erasmus year in Konstanz, Germany. After graduating, I began my training with Chartered Accountants Ireland, working with EY Waterford for three and a half years. Following that, I moved to Sydney where I gained nine months of international experience before returning home to live and work in Kilkenny for 18 months. This past year I’ve been based in Cork, continuing to develop both professionally and personally, while preparing for the next stage of my career back in Australia. 2. What made you choose to become a Chartered Accountant? And if you weren't a Chartered Accountant, what do you think you would like to have been? I always loved working with numbers and enjoyed maths and accountancy in school, so that was telling enough. I was also interested in engineering, architecture or lecturing (I love the academic world). Or perhaps I would have thrown my hat at anything sports-related! 3. Can you tell us a little about how you got to where you are today – both the geographical relocations and career path. I’ve always been quite active — growing up I played camogie competitively in and for Waterford, and more recently I’ve turned to running, which has fitted in well with living all over Ireland and in Sydney, a city that thrives on an active lifestyle. My professional journey started in financial audit with EY Waterford, before moving into financial consulting with EY Dublin. That mix of audit and commercial exposure gave me a really solid grounding in accountancy, and it was the perfect base for moving into more analytical and commercially focused roles. From there, I took on an FP&A role in Sydney, which sparked a career path I’ve loved. Since then, I’ve worked across FP&A, finance business partnering and finance manager roles. These roles have combined not only analysis, forecasting and commercial awareness, but also leadership, project delivery, and working with a wide range of stakeholders to influence decisions and drive improvements. It’s been a varied path, but the common thread has always been using financial insight to add value to the business. 4. What do you value most about your membership of the profession and how do you think those benefits can be used to support the economy and society?  For me, the real value of the profession is the credibility and global recognition it brings. The CA qualification has enabled me to build a career that has taken me around Ireland and across the world — with Australia being a choice I was able to make because of the strength of the designation. It has given me the confidence to work across industries and countries while staying connected to a strong professional community. Beyond individual careers, the profession supports the economy by driving better business decisions, stronger governance, and growth. And on a societal level, it creates a community of people all over the world who share the same standards, values, and commitment to transparency. That sense of trust and connection is more important now than ever in supporting both businesses and society as a whole. 5. As a member that has lived away from Ireland, returned and is on the move again, can you talk to us about how your membership has been of value to you here and living overseas?  As I mentioned, I have a network and community I can link in with again. In addition, the Institute teams are always open to connecting members and assisting members across a variety of career paths. 6. What were the most significant/noticeable differences you encountered doing business and networking away from home and back in Ireland?  Away from home, I found that having connections was vital — in Sydney, even a small network made a big difference when starting from scratch. Networking there is fast-paced and often happens outside formal settings, so leaning on those relationships was key. Back in Ireland, it feels easier to build connections on your own. The community is smaller and very interconnected, which means relationships grow more naturally and often overlap between personal and professional circles. I’m really looking forward to going back to Sydney and building on my network — there’s a strong connection between Ireland and Australia, and I’ve already reaped the benefits of it, so it will be great to nurture that further.

3 in 4 organisations are already relying on Chartered Accountants to ensure data integrity against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, digital disruption, and eroding institutional confidence. This is according to new research which finds that Chartered Accountants rank among the world’s most trusted professions in an era of AI and misinformation.This research is the fifth iteration of the Trust Survey conducted by Edelman DXI for Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), and it finds that the profession ranks third globally for trust, just behind doctors and engineers.Data accuracy and misinformation emerge as a key challenge in the current business environment and a growing concern for financial decision makers, with 3 in 4 respondents agreeing that these are key concerns for their business.  Trusted partners in times of transformation Today, finance and business leaders are increasingly turning to Chartered Accountants to help them navigate digital transformation challenges – including AI integration and the threat of misinformation – and provide strategic leadership in adapting to a fast-changing landscape. Commenting, Rosemary Keogh, CEO of Chartered Accountants Ireland said  “Since the first wave of the Trust Survey in 2018, the research has shown a strong demand for our members to act as trusted business leaders in times of uncertainty, providing guidance through global crises such as COVID-19, Brexit, economic shocks, and the cost-of-living crisis. The last time this research was conducted, 67% of business leaders reported that they turned to Chartered Accountants for their services or advice to navigate economic uncertainty and the cost-of-living crisis. Fast forward to 2025, and while the challenge has evolved, the reliance on Chartered Accountants for strategic guidance remains.  “In 2025, data accuracy and misinformation are key challenges in the business environment. 76% of respondents identify these as key concerns for their business, with Ireland and Northern Ireland recording some of the sharpest increases in concern among all the markets surveyed. We will continue to work to support our members across the island of Ireland in meeting this demand.”  Growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) When it comes to AI, the research shows that Chartered Accountants will be key to helping navigate the challenges brought on by its adoption. While AI can process data, 83% agree that the profession provides the critical analysis for business decisions, and 74% say the profession play a crucial role in driving business AI investment.   The rise of the data guardian and ethical steward The Edelman DXI study reveals that three in four businesses now rely on Chartered Accountants to ensure data integrity: a +6-point rise since 2023. Their role is seen as fundamental to both financial stewardship and safeguarding ethical decision-making in an age of algorithmic risk. “At a time of eroding trust in institutions, Chartered Accountants are bucking the trend,” said Ainslie van Onselen, Chair of Chartered Accountants Worldwide.  “In a world shaped by AI, disinformation, and rising demand for accountability, our profession is standing tall – not just for technical excellence, but as guardians of trusted data and ethical leadership. Across CAW’s global network, member institutes are leading the way in equipping Chartered Accountants and students to meet emerging challenges and opportunities head-on. This is more than a vote of confidence – it’s a mandate for leadership,” said Ms van Onselen. “Chartered Accountants are being called to lead not only in financial stewardship, but in helping businesses navigate ethical and digital frontiers.” About the research The Trust Survey, conducted by Edelman DXI in partnership with Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), has been running since 2018. The 2025 wave explores public and business trust in the accountancy profession during a period marked by global disruption and transformation. This year’s focus includes themes such as trust, AI adoption, misinformation, purpose-driven leadership, and talent. The Trust Survey offers a longitudinal view of how the Chartered Accountant designation is perceived by business leaders globally, particularly in relation to shifting expectations around technology, transparency, and ethics. The research had a sample size of 1,725 finance decision-makers (Director level and above) within businesses across 10 markets.