The largest CPA firm in Ireland has joined UHY International.
UHY Farrelly Dawe White is a five partner firm based in the
northeast of the island. It has 70 staff and offices in Dublin,
Dundalk and Skerries in Ireland, and Newry in Northern Ireland.

The firm was established in 1989 by Kevin Dawe and Alan
Farrelly. It provides audit, accounting, business advisory,
forensic accounting, tax consulting, corporate finance, wealth
management and HR solutions. The firm’s revenue in the 2006/2007
financial year was about €4.5 million ($7.1 million).

Managing partner Alan Farrelly told IAB the firm decided
to join UHY International to better serve a growing stable of
international clients with cross-border requirements. “We’ve got to
a stage now where we’re the largest CPA practice in Ireland. We
need a platform to grow the firm outside of Ireland and to join an
international network that would allow us to serve our clients,”
Farrelly explained. “[UHY International] are very strong in the UK,
the US, they have a base in Romania, Poland [and] the Czech
Republic – the places where we are doing business.”

Farrelly said UHY’s admission to the Forum of Firms and its
“emphasis on quality” also influenced the decision to join.

UHY International chairman John Wolfgang said the firm will prove
to be a huge asset for the network. “It is clear to see that their
clients are the driving force behind this firm and they are 100
percent committed to delivering quality services to maximise their
businesses,” he said.

Farrelly revealed that the firm has an aggressive growth strategy,
which includes strengthening some of the firm’s weaker service
lines and exploring acquisition opportunities. He said: “We’ve just
taken on a business development director and his job is to service
the clients in terms of strategic planning and business planning –
something we haven’t been strong on. We’ve taken on a new tax
director, which will allow us to give better tax advice both for
inward investment into Ireland… [and] we also want to look at
getting into more corporate finance. We’re also looking to grow
through acquisitions and are in negotiations with two firms in
Dublin.”

Arvind Hickman