On May 13, we were delighted to welcome the 2025 Maymester students from Villanova University to our second EisnerAmper Ireland Discovery Afternoon, a unique, immersive experience designed to share what it means to be a Professional in Practice.
Tailored specifically for students considering careers in accounting, advisory and consulting, the afternoon offered a deep dive into our Firm’s values, culture, structure, and strategic approach. Most importantly, it gave students the opportunity to hear from professionals at all stages of their careers, from trainee to CEO.
Our guests were welcomed by Attracta van Rensburg, CEO of EisnerAmper Ireland, who opened the afternoon by outlining the purpose of the session: to provide meaningful insights into the world of professional services, to demonstrate our people-first approach to development, and to highlight how innovation, design thinking and technology are at the heart of our client service delivery.
Frank Keane, Partner Risk & Regulatory and Board Member of EisnerAmper Global, gave an overview of EisnerAmper Ireland’s position within the EisnerAmper Global network. He walked students through our Firm’s journey, from our beginnings in 2005 as MKO Partners, to the launch of EisnerAmper Global in 2015, to our strategic evolution from a traditional service-based offering to a combined services and solutions model with a niche market focus.
Frank also shared personal reflections on professionalism, ethics, and purpose in practice, sparking conversations on what it means to be a values-driven professional in today’s dynamic and regulated business environment.
Our HR team, Laura Cowman, Director and Jen Higgins, Manager, introduced students to our Graduate Programme, providing a practical overview of training, career pathways, and the support available to new joiners.
This was followed by an authentic and relatable session featuring Alex O’Meara, a current Intern, and Leanne Mulderrig, a Supervisor. Both shared their personal journeys with EisnerAmper Ireland, from the learning curve of starting out to stepping into leadership and mentorship roles, giving students a real sense of what life is like inside a high-performing, people-focused firm.
Students were then introduced to EA Solve, our dedicated solutions division. Joseph Halligan, Manager, and Johnatan Epure, Solutions Builder, led an engaging session on how EA Solve delivers value across a wide range of industries by combining subject matter expertise, cutting-edge technology, and a dynamic, agile approach to problem-solving.
They provided an overview of EA Solve’s innovative operating model, outlining how we approach product development and delivery, from identifying client needs to creating scalable solutions that drive results. To bring this to life, students were given a live demonstration of CU Risk Core, a bespoke risk management system developed specifically for Risk Officers in Irish Credit Unions.
Far from simply responding to change, EA Solve is designed to set the pace, helping clients productise services, solve complex challenges, and operate more efficiently. The session illustrated how innovation at EisnerAmper Ireland isn’t just a concept, but a core strategy embedded in how we think, build, and deliver lasting impact.
Later in the afternoon, Frank returned to lead a session on Sustainability and ESG Reporting, with a particular focus on developments in the European Union, such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and its current iteration.
He explored both the complexities and opportunities these new regulations and their “voluntary” equivalents present for organisations, from data challenges to investor expectations, and he emphasised the growing importance of ESG as a strategic business driver. The session sparked thoughtful questions from the students, including a debate on the sustainability of artificial intelligence itself, highlighting their curiosity and engagement with contemporary business issues.
The afternoon culminated in a fireside chat between Frank Keane and Troy Lavin, Managing Director of VitHit, one of Ireland’s most successful wellness beverage brands. Troy spoke candidly about the entrepreneurial journey, from branding and product development to navigating global markets and underscored the importance of resilience, innovation, and financial discipline.
We concluded the day with refreshments and informal networking in The Bank on College Green, giving students the opportunity to connect further with our team, ask questions, and reflect on the day’s insights.
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all our speakers and to the Villanova University students for their energy and curiosity. We’re passionate about helping future professionals discover how they can make a meaningful impact, and we look forward to welcoming the next cohort in 2026!
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