Are you about to finish your training contract and are considering your options overseas?

Here Siobhán Sexton ACA, Associate Director in Barden’s recently qualified accountant practice, gives a market update about the current landscape and opportunities for those about to come out of a training contract.

What This Means for You as a Newly Qualified Accountant in 2026

1. Supply and Demand: While the number of newly qualified accountants that have ventured overseas in 2024 and 2025 has levelled off, demand for talent in Ireland remains strong. Companies are competing to attract and retain talent. For those who choose to stay in Ireland, this means strong options for various roles where learning opportunities are strong.
2. Global Opportunities: If you’re considering moving abroad, key markets like Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Canada have seen a huge influx of newly qualified Irish accountants in recent years. This has resulted in accountants moving abroad finding it a little trickier to secure a longer-term role, as companies abroad have a strong supply of newly qualified accountant profiles.
3. Remote Working: Post-pandemic, hybrid working has become a lasting trend, with most companies offering some kind of hybrid working option. However, more and more companies are asking people to work on-site for at least 3 or 4 days per week, with fully remote roles becoming much less common. Working onsite offers valuable opportunities for newly qualified accountants, as it allows you to learn directly from experienced colleagues around you and benefit from a collaborative environment, which can greatly enhance your professional development. Working onsite 3/4 days per week is crucial at this level and will have a knock on effect for future progression opportunities within the business.
4. Return of Overseas Talent: Another trend to watch for is the return of Irish accountants who have spent time abroad. Many professionals who moved overseas in the past few years are now returning, often bringing with them international experience that further enriches the local talent pool. This will create more competition for roles at the recently qualified level (2/3 years’ + PQE) but also give businesses access to top-tier talent, keeping Ireland a vibrant market.

Conclusion

Finishing your training contract in 2026? Do you want to make sure you make the very best first step after qualifying? Do you want a coffee meeting with an experienced talent advisor; someone who is a qualified accountant, just like you (meet our Leinster team here>>> and our  Munster team here>>>)?

Do you want a little help to create your very own best professional future? No problem. Just drop us a line today on hello@barden.ie and we will take it from there. Simple.

An established Irish, family‑run manufacturing group with a strong international footprint is currently seeking a Group Financial & Project Accountant to join its Group Finance team based in Killarney.

The business has been operating for over 50 years and has grown steadily through organic expansion and acquisitions across the UK and Europe. With multiple manufacturing sites, continued investment, and a clear growth strategy, this is a great time to join the organisation.

The Role

This is a hands‑on position that offers a genuine 50/50 split between core financial accounting and projects. You’ll have responsibility for the financial oversight of a number of Group sites, while also playing a key part in improving systems, processes and ways of working across the finance function.

It’s an excellent opportunity for a strong technical accountant who enjoys working close to the numbers and site operations teams but also wants exposure to ERP, systems implementation and continuous improvement projects. The role carries real ownership of financial & management reporting for the assigned sites.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Reviewing monthly financial submissions from assigned Group sites, working closely with local finance teams to query, challenge and resolve issues prior to consolidation.
• Focusing on material and judgement‑based accounting areas to ensure consistency with Group policies and procedures.
• Analysing gross margin performance, understanding key drivers, and providing clear insights versus budget and forecast.
• Supporting the annual budgeting process and longer‑term strategic planning across the Group.
• Assisting with statutory audits, including review of financial statements and coordination with external advisors.
• Acting as a finance business partner to site finance and operational teams, providing practical commercial insight.
• Travelling periodically to Group sites to build relationships and deepen understanding of operations.
• Contributing to and leading finance transformation initiatives, including ERP, systems and process improvement projects.
• Supporting ad‑hoc projects and wider business initiatives as they arise.

About You

• Fully qualified accountant with 5+ years’ PQE.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and confident reviewing and challenging financial outputs.
• Experience in a Group or multi‑site environment, ideally within manufacturing or an industrial setting.
• Well‑organised, deadline‑driven and comfortable working independently.
• A self‑starter with strong initiative and a practical, solutions‑focused mindset.
• Project management or systems experience is highly desirable.
• Strong communicator with the ability to build effective relationships across finance and operations.
• Highly IT‑literate with a strong interest in finance systems and process improvement.

Have you ever considered stepping into a Financial Controller‑style role within professional services, without giving up flexibility?

We’re delighted to be supporting a market‑leading team as they build out their leadership capability with a newly created Associate Director role.

This is a senior, client‑facing role that sits firmly in operational accounting, supporting multinational clients with:

• Month‑end close, P&L reporting, GL ownership, reconciliations and journals
• Oversight and review of work delivered by Managers and below (you won’t be doing the day‑to‑day processing)
• Acting as the primary client contact, with responsibility for delivery quality and relationship management

The role is best described as a Financial Controller‑type position in a multinational or shared services environment. You’ll be trusted to operate autonomously, take ownership of client relationships, and play a part in growing the client base over time.

Key requirements:

• Background in industry (MNC / SSC) rather than pure practice
• Strong systems exposure (SAP, Oracle, Workday)
• Solid technical accounting knowledge (US GAAP / IFRS)
• Comfortable in a review, oversight and stakeholder‑management role

Working model:

• All work delivered from the firm’s Dublin office (no client‑site work)
• c.6 days per month onsite
• No expectation to be in the office at month‑end

This will suit someone who enjoys leading from the front, values flexibility, and wants to operate at a senior level without being tied to constant on‑site client work.

An established professional services firm is seeking a Director of Outsourced Accounting to lead and grow a high‑quality outsourced finance offering for SME clients.

This is a senior leadership role within a well‑developed outsourcing practice, working closely with business owners and management teams to deliver end‑to‑end outsourced accounting solutions across compliance, reporting and back‑office finance. The role will suit someone who enjoys combining client leadership, people management and technical oversight in a hands‑on, SME‑facing environment.

The Role

• Lead and develop a small, experienced outsourced finance team, ensuring consistent, high‑quality delivery
• Act as a senior advisor to owner‑managed and mid‑market clients, with ownership of key relationships
• Oversee end‑to‑end outsourced finance services, including statutory reporting, compliance and operational finance
• Maintain strong control over quality, timelines and technical standards across all client work
• Support the commercial growth and evolution of the outsourced services offering
• Embed best‑practice use of modern, cloud‑based finance systems

The Ideal Profile

• A professional accounting qualification (ACA / ACCA / CPA or equivalent)
• Strong experience in outsourced accounting, practice or SME‑focused advisory
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams in a client‑service environment
• Solid technical grounding across statutory accounts, compliance and payroll oversight
• Experience working directly with owner‑managed and SME businesses
• Hands‑on experience with Xero and cloud‑based accounting solutions
• A commercial, pragmatic approach and strong client communication skills

Why This Role

• Senior, visible leadership role
• Opportunity to work closely with ambitious SME clients across a broad range of sectors
• Blend of people leadership, client advisory and technical oversight
• Platform to shape and develop an outsourced accounting offering within a respected professional services firm

Barden are proud to be working exclusively with a global manufacturing/technology organisation to identify an ambitious and smart financial accountant to join their well-established and highly collaborative finance team.

The successful person will work closely with the Finance Manager on a range of tasks including month-end reporting, variance analysis and ad-hoc project work. This person will get broad exposure across the global business while liaising with multiple teams across finance and beyond.

Responsibilities include:

• End-to-end accounting for your assigned entities within the EMEA region;
• Preparation of the month-end and quarter-end reporting processes;
• Completion of variance analysis and related reports for your entities;
• Liaise with internal and external auditors and support the audit process by providing timely and accurate information and data;
• Assistance with Corporate tax, VAT and payroll tasks;
• The development of strong relationships with key stakeholders across the business;
• Ad-hoc projects as required.

About the person:

• Recently qualified accountant with 1/2 years’ PQE is essential;
• Experience in a multinational environment is a strong advantage but not essential;
• Strong Excel and systems experience;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong team player with the ability to interact with stakeholders at all level of the organisation.

Curious? Please get in touch with Siobhán Sexton in Barden (siobhan.sexton@barden.ie) for more information.

Here in Barden, we are proud to be working with a global technology business, one of the most recognisable brands in the world, to identify an ambitious and driven Senior Financial Accountant to join their high-performing and highly collaborative finance team.

Working alongside an excellent Finance Manager on a daily basis, you’ll contribute to month-end processes, statutory reporting, project work and ad-hoc tax matters. The position provides broad international exposure and frequent collaboration with teams across the business both locally and globally.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Key responsibilities include:

• Responsible for the General Ledger accounting for one or more entities;
• Responsible for review and posting of month-end close and accounting transactions;
• Responsible for the accounting and reporting requirements under U.S. and local GAAP;
• The development of strong relationships with key stakeholders globally;
• Preparation of key performance indicators and the establishment of a continuous improvement culture;
• Liaise with internal and external auditors and supports the audit process by providing timely and accurate information and data;
• Evaluation of processes and recommends and implements process improvements;
• Responsible for supporting and preparation of the Statutory Accounting Activities for one or more entities.

ABOUT THE PERSON:

• Qualified Accountant with 2+ years’ post-qualification experience in industry essential;
• Experience working in a Shared Service Centre is an advantage but not essential;
• Experience with US GAAP and SAP is desirable;
• Strong technical skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – the ability to work effectively across multiple functions and different cultures;
• An effective team player, who demonstrates excellent leadership and negotiation skills.

Interested? Feel free to get in touch with Siobhán Sexton in Barden (siobhan.sexton@barden.ie) for more information.

Barden are partnering with a world-leading organisation with extensive facilities that support both sporting and agricultural activities as they seek a commercially-minded Management Accountant to join their team in Tipperary.

This is a very broad role where the successful person will be involved in monthly reporting, commercial finance and project work while working as part of a high-achieving finance team.

You’ll work closely with all aspects of the business, gain exposure to decision-making and help shape the financial direction of very unique business.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

• Delivery of high‑quality monthly reporting: P&L, Balance Sheet, cashflow, commentary
• Involvement in budgeting and cashflow planning, ensuring clarity and foresight for the wider business
• Supporting the year-end process, accounts preparation and liaising with external advisers
• Producing insightful seasonal operational reports that blend numbers with narrative
• Driving system upgrades, process improvements, and stronger internal controls
• Involvement in project work, as required.

ABOUT THE PERSON:

• Professional accounting qualification
• Exceptional organisation and attention to detail
• Clear, confident communication skills
• Ability to work on own initiative and also as part of a small, tight-knit team
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment and working to deadlines.

Interested? Feel free to get in touch with Siobhán Sexton in Barden (siobhan.sexton@barden.ie) for more information.

We are thrilled to be exclusively partnering with a highly respected firm in Cork that is known for its people first culture, technical excellence and supportive, inclusive environment.

The firm continues to grow here in Cork and this role will offer strong progression, exposure and long term career development.

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲

An opportunity has arisen for an Audit Director to join the leadership team.

This position involves managing a diverse portfolio of local and international businesses and working closely with senior Partners and directors across the firm.

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

• Lead audit engagements using the firm’s global methodology

• Manage resource planning and utilisation across your portfolio

• Support departmental performance across key financial metrics

• Mentor and develop team members through training and guidance

• Contribute to advisory projects including business planning, technical accounting and collaborative project work

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂

• Qualified Accountant with min. 5 years PQE in audit

• Strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills

• Confident leader with strong commercial awareness

• Skilled at building trusted relationships

• Organised, efficient and calm under pressure

• Strong technical and computer literacy skills

If you are eager to develop your career in audit contact Aideen for more information aideen.murphy@barden.ie

We are assisting a key client who are hiring an Accounting Manager to join their growing Accounting Advisory team. This team offers a unique service to multinational clients by providing accounting solutions across a range of areas.

As part of the firm’s growth plans, they are hiring an accountant with practice/industry experience to join the team. The accountant will join an experienced team who will provide support and guidance and also there will be great opportunities for progression within this team.

What’s involved in the role?

• Responsible for a project managing a variety of assignments for multinational clients
• Advising on accounting requirements under relevant accounting standards (IFRS & UK & Irish GAAP in particular)
• Providing ad-hoc accounting advice to clients as required
• Mentoring and guiding more junior staff
• Assisting with the firm’s growth plans, including business development for this team and the wider firm

About the person:

• A qualified accountant, with min. 3-4 years of practice/multinational experience
• Good audit and technical accounting knowledge would be desirable
• Experience managing relationships and identifying opportunities would be advantageous
• An ambitious, self-starter who enjoys being client-facing would be best suited to this role

For more information get in touch with me at aideen.murphy@barden.ie