Dear Reader

Welcome to the summer issue of our newsletter. 

The Irish economic recovery is clearly taking hold, and as we enter the second half of 2017, we are very encouraged to see more of our clients now taking well analysed investment decisions and looking actively at ways to expand their businesses. There is certainly much more confidence in business. Many of our clients have put ‘innovation’ centre stage and are becoming highly focused, and indeed investing more in sales and marketing (including digital marketing) to move forward. More and more SME companies and individuals are also knocking on our door at Quintas for taxation, audit & accountancy, business advisory, and corporate finance services, and we remain 100% committed to assisting and advising both our existing and new clients, and working in partnership with you as you grow your businesses.

The Quintas accolade from late last year of being named Cork Accountancy Firm of the Year is something which we are immensely proud of, and indeed is seriously resonating with clients; and our client centric approach and dedication to working very closely and in partnership with you is and will continue to be our hallmark at Quintas. 

We are also seeing an economic and political backdrop of much change. Over recent months we have had a change of Taoiseach, and also extensive media coverage of Brexit, with much concern now being expressed on the impact for Irish business, depending on whether there is a ‘hard' or ‘soft' Brexit.  For any of our SME clients trading in the UK and facing possible exposure from Brexit, we can advise and assist you in analysing the risks and opportunities ahead, and develop action plans to optimise your position. 

I do hope that your business performed well in the first half of 2017. At half year, it is always a good time to take stock to determine what actions you might need to take to drive your business and operation forward in the second half, and also as you begin to think about budgets and targets for 2018. Increasingly the partners at Quintas are working with clients on 3 year business plans. Such plans did not receive too much focus during the economic downturn, but given that there is more confidence and certainty now and strong evidence of 'green shoots' taking hold, we believe it is essential that clients would look beyond the next year, and prepare more medium term 'rolling 3 year business plans'. We also work very closely with all the banks, and whilst there is more lending taking place, we believe that having very robust business plans in place is a key prerequisite to securing finance with best possible terms.

I would like to conclude by congratulating Stephen O’Hallorran for passing his ACA final exams - fantastic achievement and well done!  And I would also like to welcome our 4 new trainee accountants who started with Quintas this month under our 2017 Graduate Programme, namely Thomas Fitzgerald, Meadhbh O’Callaghan, Shane Fitzmaurice and Calum McLean. We wish you all every happiness and every success with Quintas.

I hope you enjoy the various articles included in our half year newsletter, and as always any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I wish all of our clients a very successful second half, but hopefully a nice break too over the Summer months!

Alf Smiddy, 

Chairman.