Six years in, and still learning - that's the point.

From graduate to senior – and still learning

The evolution of his role over six years is something he describes with characteristic honesty. “I started off as a graduate asking for help, and now I’m a senior accountant who is asked for help – but I still ask for help, so that part hasn’t changed.”

Today his day-to-day covers accounts preparation, managing workflow for the team, meeting clients, handling queries and monitoring juniors. The increase in responsibility has been gradual and deliberate, and it’s made him better at the job.

Adam holds his ACCA qualification, earned during his time with ifac, and is currently working towards a CTA qualification with the Irish Tax Institute.

A standout moment from his time at ifac came in 2025, when he received an Employee Excellence Award. It’s recognition he didn’t seek out, which perhaps makes it mean all the more. Always someone a phone call away. "One of the things that stands out to me about working at ifac is the people. When a client comes with a specific query that I’m not fully certain about, there’s someone in ifac who is only a phone call away and is happy to help. Building those kinds of relationships is very important to me.”

What he values most is the attitude that runs through the whole organisation. “It feels as though everyone is on the same team and is always contactable. There are people from all backgrounds that I never thought I would be in contact with.”

The call to say everything is sorted

At the heart of the job, for Adam, is the relationship with clients. “It’s great when a client puts their full trust in you and they know they will be listened to and their query will be dealt with. It’s a great feeling to know the client is happy and you’ve done a good job for them.”

The work he finds most rewarding is when a client arrives worried – a Revenue issue, a CRO matter – and leaves with clarity.

“When a client is worried about a certain issue and we can clearly explain the situation and show them there’s always a solution, seeing the relief in them is a great feeling. And giving them the call to let them know everything is sorted is hard to beat.”

Celtic, the gym, and the road back from injury

Originally from Kilnamanagh in Dublin, he is currently looking to buy his first home. Outside of work, football has been a lifelong passion – he’s been playing since he was five. An injury in 2020 has kept him off the pitch since then, but in the meantime he’s found the next best thing: travelling to Scotland to watch Celtic, which he’d do every week if he could. The gym, the cinema and live comedy round things out.

For those wondering whether they’d fit in: “Hard working, creative and determined people will thrive here. Creativity is encouraged.”

And what does six years at ifac actually feel like? “Working at ifac gives me a high level of job satisfaction. Helping colleagues with queries and mentoring juniors has made me improve my skills.” It’s a simple summary – but it says a lot.