28th April, 2021 – Áine Collins, CPA, has been appointed as the 49
th President and the 5
th female President of CPA Ireland at the 78
th Annual General Meeting of members today.
Speaking at the AGM, Áine stated ‘Technology, sustainability and the world of work are all the major themes which the Council and executive team are taking account of in terms of service delivery and providing value for members in 2021 and beyond.
The accountancy profession is, in every respect, not going to do things differently but will do entirely different things. Already, technology is augmenting the role of the accountancy profession and sustainability, including environmental, social and governance issues, has moved to the top of the global agenda.
Turning to the world of work and taking account of the acceleration in remote working due to the pandemic, we now appreciate that remote working is here to stay. CPA Ireland will provide, and is already providing in many respects, the supports for members and students to thrive in the new world of work’.
Áine also stated that ‘recovery readiness will be informed by the insightful perspectives of CPAs who hold a unique position as advisers, to over 100,000 businesses across Ireland’.
Áine was elected to the Council of CPA Ireland in November 2016. She qualified as CPA in 1996 and is Director of Blueprint Consultancy, providing Financial and Strategic Business Advise across several sectors with vast expertise and experience in the SME sector from start-ups to growing established businesses internationally, both organically and through mergers and acquisitions.
Áine has held a variety of roles prior to her election at CPA Ireland. She has a passion for and track record of supporting businesses to meet the challenges and opportunities in managing and developing new business as well as supporting business owners and management teams with financial effectiveness and strategic focus.
From 2011 to 2016 Áine, was a Public Representative for the constituency of Cork North West and a Member of the Joint Committee for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Member of the Public Account Committee, and Chairperson on the SME group, contributing to the formation of government policy in these areas.