The winners of this year’s ACCA Public Sector Advocacy Awards, which recognise members from around the world who have acted as advocates for ACCA and the accountancy profession, come from a wide range of organisations but are united in their commitment to making a positive difference.
This year’s Ireland winner, Shane Moran FCCA, lecturer in finance, accounting and professional development at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway, who was also highly commended in the global competition, has built his career around broadening opportunities in the accountancy sector. He was praised by judges for his dedication to developing future members of the accounting profession by actively mentoring and supporting his students to begin their journey with ACCA.
‘Having the ACCA name attached to me professionally put me on another level completely’
Incredible opportunities
Moran says his passion for encouraging students to pursue the ACCA qualification comes from personal experience. ‘Professionally, incredible opportunities awaited me as soon as I qualified. The world became my oyster, as it still does today for any ACCA affiliate. Having the ACCA name attached to me professionally put me on another level completely of professional respect and opportunity.’
To ensure others can achieve similar success, Moran has introduced a number of innovations at the university, including mock interview sessions for final-year students, using ACCA members as interviewers. The sessions not only prepare students for real-world interviews but also connect them with mentors who continue to support them as they transition into the workforce.
In addition, he operates a jobs board for accounting students, liaising with employers to secure employment opportunities. His efforts have resulted in high employment rates for his graduates, with many ATU students choosing ACCA as their preferred professional body.
Leadership
The initiatives are driven by Moran’s desire to enhance the visibility and reputation of ACCA by creating strong connections between ACCA, students and employers. They show, he says, that ‘ACCA is proactive, being one of the leading professional bodies in all matters accounting and business. Sustainability, for example, has been something ACCA has been championing for years before the business world started to begin to reflect on this serious issue.’
ACCA Ireland head Stephen Noonan says: ‘Shane recognises the importance of providing comprehensive support to future members to complete their journey to ACCA membership. He bridges the gap between academic learning and professional qualification, ensuring that students are well prepared for their careers in accounting,’
Moran has been a member of ACCA’s Connaught panel, representing ATU Galway, and facilitated events that provided a platform for accounting students to network with local ACCA members, fostering mentorship and professional relationships. He’s also a member of ACCA’s University Steering Group for Ireland.
This master’s is fully aligned to the content of ACCA’s strategic professional component
Future plans
Most recently, Moran has been looking to the future as one of the lead developers of ATU’s new master’s degree in digital professional accounting, which is due to launch in September 2025. This master’s will be the first of its kind in the Republic of Ireland and is fully aligned to the content of the strategic professional component of the ACCA qualification.
‘I am extremely proud to be part of a global network and international organisation such as ACCA and take comfort knowing that whatever challenges the future business environment brings to accountants, ACCA will be right there to guide its members and ensure they remain the leaders of best practice in the business world,’ he says.
More information
Read about all this year’s ACCA Public Sector Advocacy Awards winners, including other regional advocates
