Hundreds of senior figures from Ireland’s accountancy profession gathered at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre recently for the Irish Accountancy Awards 2026. Now in its ninth year, the ceremony was hosted by Mario Rosenstock and drew 488 attendees, with judges recognising outstanding achievement across 26 categories covering practice management, professional leadership, functional excellence and innovation, selected from a field of 148 entries.Borgo emerged as one of the standout winners, winning the practice of the year and online practice awards. Judges praised the firm’s combination of technology-led performance and personalised client service, pointing to strong profit growth, high retention rates and a round-the-clock response guarantee as evidence of an organisation focused on continuous improvement and shaping the future of modern practice in Ireland.Allan Egan, managing director at Borgo, remarked: “We built Borgo on the belief that Irish businesses deserve real-time clarity and a trusted partner in their corner, not just at year end but throughout the year. Technology helps us do that, but only when it strengthens the relationship we have with clients. This award is recognition of a team that’s always trying to do things better, for our clients and for each other.”Other winners included Azets Ireland, Whelan Dowling & Associates and Rory Williams Chartered Accountants. Women’s achievement in the profession was recognised with awards for Eve Henry and Caroline O’Driscoll of Deloitte; Talia Bouzon of Noone Casey Financial Services; and Niamh Cunningham of Block.Brian O’Callaghan, Deloitte’s head of audit and assurance, congratulated Henry and O’Driscoll on their awards. He said the firm was honoured that its people’s expertise and achievements, alongside its innovative approach to audit and client service, had been recognised. “This recognition reflects the impact, curiosity and technical expertise of our teams,” O’Callaghan added. “As the world’s number one professional services provider we continuously challenge ourselves to deliver sharper insights, smarter technology and bolder thinking to help our clients stay ahead.”There were also awards for Fexco, Arlo Technologies International, Incorpro, Xeinadin, Fitzgerald Power, Allianz Ireland, DBASS and Kerry Group. In the technology categories, The Law Society of Ireland’s Project Ignite and Deloitte’s Omnia cloud-based audit platform were recognised for their innovation in the SME and large practice categories respectively. Education and training honours went to the University of Galway and EY Ireland.Since its inception in 2016, the Irish Accountancy Awards programme has been synonymous with honouring and celebrating excellence within the accountancy profession over the past year. Entries are sought from firms and individuals who have demonstrated value and competitive advantage to their clients, and submissions are reviewed by an expert judging panel.Chris Downing, director for accountants and book-keepers Sage, the awards’ impact ambassador, said: “Supporting the Irish Accountancy Awards reflects our long-term commitment to a profession evolving at pace. As firms balance rising demands with new technology, it’s vital we recognise those leading change and shaping the future of business with insight, trust and innovation.” Cliona Doyle, chief executive at gold sponsor Search4less, added: “The accountancy sector has been close to us from the very beginning so it’s a privilege to support these awards. They celebrate the excellence and dedication of a profession that does so much for Irish business every day.”DBASS was selected as the winner in the employer of the year category from seven shortlisted finalists. “Being named employer of the year reflects the culture our team builds every day,” said the company’s director, Michael Byrne. “When you invest in trust, flexibility and genuine support, exceptional service follows. Our people are the heartbeat of DBASS and this award belongs entirely to them.”Xeinadin picked up the award in the tax team category. Marketing manager Eimear Quin said: “Our national tax team goes beyond technical capability, driving collaboration, consistency and value for clients and colleagues. By sharing expertise and embracing innovation we work as one unified group. We are honoured to have our efforts recognised with this award.”H&MV Engineering was among the five finalists in the large finance team award category. “Building high-performing finance teams with the right skills, systems and mindset is critical as organisations scale, ensuring they can support growth, manage complexity and respond to an evolving business landscape,” said company director David Manifold.Judging coordinator John Gaynor described the standard of awards entries as outstanding, reflecting a profession that continues to innovate and adapt. “In a fast-changing business environment, accountants continue to lead as trusted strategic advisers. I want to warmly congratulate every finalist and extend recognition to the winners who demonstrated excellence in accounting and finance,” he said. The outstanding contribution award was presented to Tom Ryan, director general of the GAA, in recognition of his role in modernising the organisation’s finances. A chartered accountant with experience spanning finance, technology, telecommunications and retail, Ryan’s leadership has driven reform across GAA operations while helping the organisation adapt to contemporary challenges.Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at awards organiser Business River, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2026 sponsors Sage, Circit, Dornan – A Turner Company, Iplicit Ireland, ProSource Group, ETL Global Ireland, Mercia Ireland, Ecovis, Search4Less, and Axon Outsourcing. I also want to recognise our professional body 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 judgesJohn Gaynor (judging coordinator) – programme chair and lecturer on the BA in accounting, Atlantic Technological University – Sligo CampusMorna Ahern – principal, Brass Tax ConsultancySiobhan Blackwell – director, head of business, regulatory and supervisory management, TD SecuritiesBrendan Brophy – senior cost accountant, SquarePeter Brophy – managing director, Floirin Corporate Finance LimitedTara Clements – associate director – client operations, CACEIS Investor Services Ireland LtdNeil Dunne – programme director, MSc in accounting and analytics, Trinity College DublinDavid Endersen – managing director, White BearPeter Gillen – sustainability disclosures & ratings manager, AIBPauline Haughey – project manager, Queen’s University BelfastMichelle Hourican – director, DatatrailsAngela O Leary – founder and managing director, AG Associates AccountantsNiamh McCarthy – finance business partner, PrimarkAisling McDevitt – director, PGIM IrelandCaroline McGroary – chartered accountant, lecturer in accounting and Fulbright scholar, Chartered Accountants Ireland, Dublin City University and Boston CollegeChristine Nangle – head of discipline of accounting, TU DublinAnand Kumar Pandey – head of finance, ActavoEoghan Quigley – immediate past president, Dublin ChamberSean Quigley – non-exec director and consultant, Quigley Management ConsultingJoe O’Regan – owner, Intrinsic CFO LimitedMichael Shovelin – lecturer, strategy and finance, Atlantic Technological UniversityOlivia Smith FCCA – corporate sustainability adviser, Corporate Sustainability PartnersEdel Walsh – owner, Edel Walsh Coaching and ConsultingAward winnersPractice of the year (sponsored by Sage) Winner: BorgoPaula Egan, head of sales accountants division at Sage, presents the practice of the year award to the Borgo team Large practice of the year (sponsored by Circit)Winner: Azets IrelandJoanne Hillery, head of Ireland sales at Circit, presents the large practice of the year award to Neil Hughes, Azets Ireland Medium practice of the year (sponsored by Mercia)Winner: Whelan Dowling & AssociatesBrendan Howard, managing director at Mercia, presents the medium practice of the year award to the Whelan Dowling & Associates team Small practice of the year (sponsored by Axon Outsourcing) Winner: Rory Williams Chartered AccountantsGeetika and Rohith Garg, managing partners at Axon Outsourcing, present the small practice of the year award to Rory Williams, Rory Williams Chartered Accountants Online practice of the year (sponsored by ETL Global Ireland)Winner: BorgoAnthony Casey, master partner at ETL Global Ireland, presents the online practice of the year award to the Borgo team Rising star accountant of the year Winner: Eve Henry – Deloitte John Gaynor, awards judging coordinator, presents the rising star accountant of the year award to Eve Henry, Deloitte Accountant of the yearWinner: Talia Bouzon – Noone Casey Financial Services Lydia Hall, practice success manager at Sage, presents the accountant of the year award to Talia Bouzon, Noone Casey Financial Services CSR initiative of the yearWinner: Dublin Port GreenwayMorna Ahern, awards judge, presents the CSR initiative of the year award to Lar Joye, Dublin Port Greenway Finance leader of the yearWinner: Niamh Cunningham – Block Morna Ahern, awards judge, presents the finance leader of the year award to Niamh Cunningham, Block Women in accountancy & finance award (sponsored by ETL Global Ireland)Winner: Caroline O’Driscoll – Deloitte Rosa Martinez Borrell, chief investment officer at ETL Global Ireland, presents the women in accountancy & finance award to Caroline O'Driscoll, Deloitte Finance team of the year – largeWinner: FexcoJohn Gaynor, awards judging coordinator, presents the finance team of the year – large award to Anna Savage and Ross Brosnan, Fexco Finance team of the yearWinner: Arlo Technologies InternationalJohn Gaynor, awards judging coordinator, presents the finance team of the year award to Glenn Creighton and Arnold Maniaul, Arlo Technologies International Client service award Winner: IncorproRoseann Heavey, director of ETL Global Ireland, presents the client service award to Orlagh Shine, Incorpro Tax team of the year (sponsored by Ecovis)Winner: XeinadinAndrew Feighery, partner at Ecovis, presents the tax team of the year award to the Xeinadin team Advisory team of the yearWinner: Fitzgerald PowerRohith Garg, managing partner at Axon Outsourcing, presents the advisory team of the year award to Noel Winters and Billy Brett, Fitzgerald Power Finance project of the year (sponsored by Iplicit Ireland) Winner: Fexco – Project NexusFlavio Greco, sales and marketing director at Iplicit Ireland, presents the finance project of the year award to the Fexco team Best finance collaboration Winner: Allianz IrelandFlavio Greco, sales and marketing director at Iplicit Ireland, presents the best finance collaboration award to Liam Foley, Allianz Ireland Employer of the year (sponsored by ProSource Group) Winner: DBASS Accountancy & Tax AdvisoryDanielle O'Callaghan, head of finance recruitment at ProSource Group, presents the employer of the year award to Michael Byrne and Claire Reilly, DBASS Accountancy & Tax Advisory Transformation project of the yearWinner: Kerry Group – Instant PricingJoanne Hillery, head of Ireland sales at Circit, presents the transformation project of the year award to Karen Lenehan, Kerry Group Best use of technology in accounting and finance – large (sponsored by Search4less)Winner: Deloitte – Omnia: A Cloud-based Audit PlatformCliona Doyle, chief executive of Search4less, presents the best use of technology in accounting and finance –⁠ large award to Karolina Barrett, Deloitte Best use of technology in accounting and finance – SMEWinner: The Law Society Of Ireland – Project IgniteSean Darmody, sales marketing coordinator at Search4less, presents the best use of technology in accounting and finance – SME award to Gillian Cregan and Paul Egan, The Law Society of Ireland Excellence in learning & development (sponsored by Mercia)Winner: Azets IrelandKathryn Burns, technical consultant at Mercia, presents the excellence in learning & development award to the Azets Ireland Team Payroll team of the year (sponsored by Sage)Winner: Bridge Chartered AccountantsPaula Egan, head of sales accountants division at Sage, presents the payroll team of the year award to Chloe Tumelty and Mica Davies, Bridge Chartered Accountants Excellence in education (sponsored by Dornan – A Turner Company)Winner: University of Galway – Postgraduate Suite of Summer SchoolsTerri Ranahan, group finance and risk manager, Dornan – A Turner Company, presents the excellence in education award to Andrea Crean and Sophie Sweeney, University of Galway Graduate training programme of the year Winner: EY Ireland – Graduate Development ProgrammeBrendan Howard, managing director at Mercia, presents the graduate training programme of the year award to Sarah Kavanagh, EY Ireland Outstanding contribution to accountancy (sponsored by Chartered Accountants Ireland)Recipient: Tom RyanRosemary Keogh, chief executive of Chartered Accountants Ireland, presents the outstanding contribution to accountancy award to Tom Ryan, Chartered Accountants Ireland