Investing in Skills for SME Competitiveness: An EU–Ireland Dialogue for the 2026 Presidency
Date
Thu, 10/22/2026 - 10:30 to 14:00
Address
Block 3 Miesian Plaza, 50-58 Baggot St. Lower
Dublin
IrelandEvent Location
Ireland
Event Description
22 October 2026
10:30–14:00 CEST
Venue: BDO Ireland, Block 3 Miesian Plaza, 50-58 Baggot St. Lower, Dublin 2
Livestreamed
Registration Link: https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1jL-EubtDTlOCflK35oubSw2b6vh8
About the Event
Ireland’s 2026 Presidency of the Council of the EU presents a unique opportunity to strengthen Europe’s skills ecosystem and reinforce SME competitiveness. This high‑level hybrid conference, hosted by ACCA, brings together EU and Irish policymakers, business leaders, academics and accounting professionals to explore how targeted investment in education, training and upskilling — particularly within the accounting profession — can support SMEs through digitalisation, sustainability reporting and the rise of AI.
Small and Medium Sized Accounting Practices (SMPs) play a vital role in empowering SMEs to grow, innovate and compete. Yet they face mounting pressures: talent shortages, evolving reporting requirements, and rapid technological change. This event will examine how EU and national policies can help build the skills, capacity and resilience needed for SMPs to continue supporting Europe’s economic backbone.
The conference features an EU‑level online panel followed by an in‑person Irish panel in Dublin. Insights gathered will feed into key EU priorities — including the Union of Skills, the Savings & Investment Union, the Fair Mobility Package, the EU Inc Regulation and the next long‑term EU budget. ACCA will publish a White Paper with five key recommendations emerging from the discussions.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, 22 October 2026
Time: 9:00–13:00 IST / 10:00–14:00 CEST
Venue: BDO Ireland, Block 3 Miesian Plaza, 50-58 Baggot St. Lower, Dublin 2
Format: Hybrid (in‑person + online livestream)
Programme (GMT)
09:15 – 09:40 Registrations
09:40 – 09:50 Welcome
09:50 – 10:00 Opening Address Stephen Noonan, Head of ACCA Ireland
10:00 – 10:15 Keynote Address Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection
10:15 – 11:05 Panel 1 – Europe’s Skills Challenge: Building a Workforce for SME Competitiveness (Online)
This EU‑level panel will explore Europe’s widening skills gaps, the evolving demands on the accounting profession, and how EU initiatives can strengthen SMP capacity to support SMEs through digitalisation, sustainability reporting and AI adoption.
Moderator: Fiona Murray, Head of EU Public Affairs, ACCA
Panellists:
- Leo Kilroy, First Secretary, Education & Youth, Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU
- Araceli Mora, President, European Accounting Association
- Salvador Marin, President, European Federation of Accountants and Auditors for SMEs (EFAA)
- Lucie McAnea, Policy Advisor, Social Affairs & Training Policy, SMEunited
11:05 – 11:10 Closing remarks
11:10 – 11:30 Coffee & Networking
11:30 – 11:40 Keynote Address
11:40 – 12:30 Panel 2 – Ireland’s Leadership Opportunity: Driving Skills Solutions for the EU Presidency (In Person)
This panel will examine how Ireland can use its EU Presidency to champion targeted investment in professional education and upskilling, strengthen SMP capacity, and advance digital and sustainability readiness across Europe.
Moderator: Caitriona Allis, Head of Europe, ACCA
Panellists:
- Anthony Glennon FCCA, Partner, Friel Stafford
- Ian Barrett, Partner, BDO Dublin
- Orla Collins FCCA, Deputy MD Aberdeen Ireland, ACCA Past President
- Dr Alan Lynch, Faculty Lecturer, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology
12:30 – 12:40 Closing Keynote
12:40 – 13:15 Networking Lunch
