Local accounting students receive awards at Maynooth

It’s never been more a important time to balance the books and Kildare’s top accounts students recently received awards to recognise their achievements.

The annual accountancy showcase took place on Wednesday, October 3 in the Iontas Building at NUI Maynooth. Leading professional firms including PWC, E&Y, KPMG and Deloitte attended as well as the Irish Accounting & Taxation Institutes, Glanbia, IFS and Intel.

“As well as being an opportunity for students to learn more about a career in accountancy it also showcased our students to the accounting profession. There are presently 300 students on the BA Accounting & Finance and the BA Business & Accounting degree programmes with 50 students completing either an MA in Accounting, or a Higher Diploma in Accounting at postgraduate level,” said a college spokesperson.

The accounting academic prizes were presented by representatives of the firms at the event. Among the award winners was Kilcock’s Cian Dolan. He received the 2nd year CIMA prize for the top management accounting student. Cian is the son of Jarlath and Imelda Dolan and he attended Scoil Dara Secondary before continuing his studies at NUI Maynooth. He is hoping to pursue a career in accounting after graduation.

Darren Roche is a former Salesian College student and he was presented with the NUI Maynooth/Deloitte Accounting prize. Darren is currently pursuing a career as a chartered accountant and his parents, Gus and Tina, hail from Pickering Farm, Celbridge.

Jonathan McDermott, from Leixlip, was awarded the NUI Maynooth/KPMG 1st place on the Masters in Accounting prize. Jonathan is the son of Audrey McDermott of Leixlip, and he attended Colaiste Phadraig, Lucan before moving on to university. He is currently training as a Chartered Accountant with RSM Farrell Grant Sparks in Dublin.

- Niamh O’Donoghue