ENTERPRISE


FROM ACCOUNTING TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP


The Enterprise Evolution Programme is just one example of the various routes accountants can take if they wish to set up their own business


J


OHN TEELING, chairman of Cooley Distillery, is among the entrepreneurs championing the Enterprise Evolution Programme (EEP), run by Innovo Training &


Development and the Institute of Technology, Tallaght. The programme is due to start on 31


January and is open to unemployed graduates and industry professionals from a variety of backgrounds such as accountancy, technology, arts and business.


Caroline Allen, a design graduate with accountancy experience, is currently completing the first rotation of the programme. “I started this programme with a


view to setting up my own business,” she explained. “I wanted to develop some of my own ideas and to learn new skills that would open up opportunities for me.


“It has allowed me to work with teams of people from totally different disciplines to my own and to learn from industry experts in a practical real life context. I am now in a position to create a job for myself and look forward to starting my own company in the coming year.”


Applicants to the EEP must be unemployed for a minimum of three consecutive months before the start date.


Successful candidates will be


awarded a Diploma in Enterprise Innovation, equivalent to 60 credits at Level 8 on the National Qualifications Framework, and can retain their social welfare benefits while on the programme. Funded through the Government’s


Labour Market Activation Fund, EEP aims to encourage and stimulate enterprise development through peer- to-peer learning, academic lectures and workshops delivered by successful, experienced entrepreneurs and industry professionals. “The future well-being of Ireland depends on indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Teeling. “The importance of this programme is that it takes people who have self-selected to be entrepreneurs and gives them a tool kit to turn their vision into a workable venture.” Declan Byrne, director of Innovo


Training & Development, added: “The essence of the programme is to give participants the tools and support to create, explore and develop innovative business ideas. “Our aim is to take participants out of their core educational disciplines and through an intensive period of up- skilling, cross pollination and retraining, and facilitate them to develop new, innovative and export-led enterprises.”


For further information or to download an EEP application form, visit www.enterpriseevolution.ie.


Since launching its first franchise in Ireland in 2010, chartered account- ants firm Accounts Assist is now seek- ing more franchisees


accountancy services for small businesses. Accounts Assist Cork City, run by


A


Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) member, David O’Connor, is open for business, and the firm is looking for more franchisees.


Already a success in the UK two years after it was set up there, Accounts Assist’s approach to accountancy and taxation services is to display tariffs upfront on its website with the option to spread the cost over 12 months. Hailing from Co Galway, 27-year-


old David O’Connor (pictured) is running Ireland’s first Accounts Assist franchise. He was previously employed by a small accountancy firm in his home town, but with business aspirations of his own, becoming a franchisee was an appealing proposition. “I have always been interested in accountancy, studying Professional Accountancy in Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT), and the refreshing, personal and honest approach to the Accounts Assist business model really appealed to me,” he said. “For me, joining Accounts Assist means realising my career dreams, with the back-up of an established brand. I have received excellent levels of training and all the tools I need to get started, including a laptop, website and accountancy software. “Going forward, I am supported by an Accounts Assist expert at the end of the phone and public relations and marketing to help promote the business in my area – something that I could never afford as a lone start-up


John Teeling, chairman of Cooley Distillery, EEP student Caroline Allen and Declan Byrne, director, Innovo Training & Development


FIRM of chartered accountants, Accounts Assist, launched its first franchise in Ireland last year, specialising in affordable, transparent


A FRANCHISE APPROACH TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES


// company.


“Becoming a franchisee will hopefully allow me to run a successful business, while giving me the work-life balance and funds to indulge my passion for travelling.” While O’Connor has a background in the industry, no previous accountancy experience is needed to become an Accounts Assist franchisee.


For me,


joining Accounts Assist means realising my career dreams, with the back-up of an established brand


12 // Accountancy, Spring 2011


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