Format

This course will be delivered via Zoom on Thursday 10 April 2025 from 9.30am to 1.30pm. The Zoom link will be emailed to participants the day before the course is due to take place.

Who should attend

This course is suitable for audit professionals at all levels.

Course overview

Introduction and opening remarks - Event Chair: Brian Murphy, Deloitte
Audit Regulation & Standards update - Claire Ryan, (Deloitte)
IAASA regulatory update - Maurice Barrett, (IAASA)
Sustainability - CSRDS/ESG update - Derarca Dennis, Partner, (EY)
Using Technology & Analytics in Audit – panel discussion - Hosted by Maeve Hunt (GT)

• Panel: Ray Daly (PWC), Brad Van Der Merve (Azets), Ankit Gulati (RSM Ireland)

Impact on audit of changes in FRS 102 - Jessica Feary (KPMG)
Update from Institutes Professional Standards team - Karen Flannery and Anne Cullen (Chartered Accountants Ireland)
Effective audit project management – panel discussion - Hosted by  Andrew Brennan (Mazars)

• Panel: Paul McGrath (PWC), Aislinn Feery (KPMG), Debbie Mullen (AAB), Mark Butler (HLB Ireland)

Closing remarks and conference close - Event Chair: Brian Murphy, Deloitte

Key learning outcomes

Have a deeper understanding of the key regulatory, technical and talent management issues impacting the audit profession today.

Speaker Bios

Brian Murphy is a Partner with Deloitte in Dublin. He has extensive experience in audit and assurance, working with a broad range of clients across various industries. Brian, a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland, has particular expertise in IFRS, Irish GAAP, and sustainability reporting. Brian is past chair of the Chartered Accountants Ireland Leinster Society and a council member of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

• Brian will host the Audit Conference 2025 drawing on his extensive expertise in audit, assurance, and sustainability reporting, Brian will guide discussions on key developments shaping the future of the profession.

Claire Ryan is a Managing Director within Dublin’s Consumer & Technology Business (CTB) Audit and Assurance department with particular focus in the area of Deloitte Private. Claire has 14 years of experience, providing audit and advisory services to a wide range of business sectors, including Retail, Construction, Real Estate, Engineering, Hospitality and technology sector’

• Clare will deliver a session on Audit Regulation & Standards Update at the Chartered Accountants Ireland Audit Conference 2025. She will provide insights into the latest regulatory developments, changes in auditing standards, and their practical implications for firms. This session will help auditors stay informed and prepared for evolving compliance requirements.

Maurice Barrett is Senior Corporate Reporting Manager with the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA). Prior to joining IAASA’s corporate reporting enforcement unit in 2008, Maurice spent over 25 years working in audit and assurance with a Big 4 firm in Dublin. Maurice, who was admitted membership of Chartered Accountants Ireland in 1985, has expertise in FRS, IFRS and sustainability reporting.

• Maurice will discuss the outcomes from IAASA’s 2024 corporate reporting examinations and outline IAASA’s priorities for 2025 examinations of financial reports and sustainability statements. He will also provide some early observations on CSRD examinations and set out some thoughts on the European Commission’s CSRD ‘Omnibus’ proposals

Derarca Dennis is the Partner and Lead for Sustainability Services (CCaSS) for EY Ireland. She has over 25 years of professional experience in financial and non-financial reporting, including six years based in Brussels and Finland. Derarca leads a team of climate change and sustainability specialists who focus on advising private and listed companies on climate and sustainability business solutions.

• Derarca will deliver a session on CSRD/ESG Updates. She will provide an overview of the latest developments in sustainability reporting, including the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and evolving ESG requirements. This session will help auditors understand the key impacts on financial reporting and assurance.

Maeve Hunt is Principal with Grant Thornton (NI) LLP.  She has significant experience dealing with a range of large privately held and investor led businesses, to include IT software development, hospitality, manufacturing, and construction, both in Ireland and the United Kingdom.   She also has extensive project management experience, having led large teams on numerous time sensitive assignments. Maeve is former chair of Chartered accountants Ireland Ulster Society and a current council member of Chartered Accountants Ireland.  Maeve currently chairs the Members in Practice Board of Chartered Accounts Ireland.

• Maeve will chair a panel discussion on Using Technology & Analytics in Audit at the Chartered Accountants Ireland Audit Conference 2025. The discussion will explore how firms are leveraging data analytics, automation, and AI to enhance audit quality and efficiency, with insights from industry experts on emerging trends and best practices.

Panel members:

• Ray Daly is a Director with PwC in Dublin. He has extensive experience in audit and assurance, working with clients across a range of industries. Ray, a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland, has particular expertise in data analytics, digital transformation, and regulatory compliance in audit.
• Brad Van Der Merwe is a Director with Azets. He has a strong background in audit and assurance, specialising in the use of technology to enhance audit efficiency and quality. Brad has particular expertise in data analytics, automation, and risk management in the evolving audit landscape.
• Ankit Gulati is a Director with RSM Ireland. He has extensive experience in audit, assurance, and advisory services, with a focus on leveraging technology to drive audit innovation. Ankit has particular expertise in AI-driven analytics, digital auditing tools, and regulatory developments impacting the profession.

Jessica Feary Director, Financial Services Audit at KPMG Ireland, Jessica is an experienced Audit Director with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry with specific experience in investment and asset management and fund audits. Skilled in Accounts Payable, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), External Audit, Financial Accounting, and US GAAP. Strong accounting professional with a Bachelor of Business focused in Accounting from Institute of Technology, Tallaght.

Karen Flannery, FCA is Head of Professional Standards Projects at Chartered Accountants Ireland. Karen has significant experience in the development of regulatory policy across all areas of the Institute’s regulatory remit in Ireland and the UK, including as regards audit and sustainability assurance. Prior to working in the Professional Standards team, Karen supported Institute members in a technical and advocacy role. Karen is a chartered accountant and worked in audit practice in the early years of her career. She has a degree in Accounting and Finance and an MBS in Accounting from Dublin City University.

Ann Cullen FCA, works in the Professional Standards Department Head of Audit Monitoring. She has over 20 years’ experience with the Institute’s monitoring team. Her specific area of responsibility is audit monitoring but she also has involvement in all other areas which fall under the scope of the inspection team, including anti-money laundering, investment business and non- audit. Prior to joining the inspection team, Ann worked with the Institute’s Practice Consulting team where her responsibilities included providing technical support to members and updating practice toolkits and other publications. Ann is a Chartered Accountant and holds a degree in Business and Legal Studies from UCD.

Andrew Brennan is a Director with Mazars in Dublin. He has extensive experience in audit and assurance, working with clients across various industries. Andrew, a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland, has a particular focus on project management within the audit process, helping firms implement efficient and effective project management strategies to improve audit outcomes.

• Andrew will chair the session on Project Management in Audit which will explore the critical role of effective project management in ensuring the success of audit engagements. Hosted by Andrew Brennan from Mazars, the panel will discuss strategies for managing audit projects, from planning through to delivery, while ensuring efficiency, quality, and compliance. Key topics will include risk management, resource allocation, client communication, and the use of technology in audit project management. This session will provide valuable insights into how firms can enhance their audit processes by adopting strong project management practices.

Panel Members:

• Paul McGrath is a Director with PwC in Dublin and has extensive experience in Asset & Wealth Management.   Paul has worked in both in the Dublin & Boston offices and has considerable experience dealing with Alternative Investment Funds and Structured Entities, using Irish and offshore domiciled products and covering a wide spectrum of fund structures, strategies and GAAP. Paul is a Chartered Accountant (FCA) as well as a CFA. 
• Aislinn Feely
• Debbie Mullen

• Mark Butler is the Managing Partner of HLB Ireland. A member of Chartered Accountants Ireland and the Institute of Chartered Certified Accountants, Mark is a registered auditor in both Ireland and the UK. Mark is an expert in strategic business planning with over twenty years experience advising domestic and international businesses. He focuses on a number of sectors including veterinary practice, food, hotel & leisure and property investment.

Contact us

If you have any questions regarding this or any other CPD course or requirements, please feel free to contact the team here or call us at (+353) 01 523 3930

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