Archive for August 2026

We here at Patrick McNamara Associates believe that employment costs deserve much closer attention than simply looking at the salary paid to each employee. For Irish SMEs, the true cost of employment can include employer PRSI, pension contributions, benefits, recruitment, training, leave and other e…

At Patrick McNamara Associates we believe that financial resilience is an important part of running a successful business. An emergency fund can give an Irish SME greater flexibility when unexpected costs arise, customers pay late or trading conditions change. In 2026, where businesses continue to f…

At Patrick McNamara Associates we believe that VAT should be considered as part of a business’s growth strategy, rather than treated solely as a compliance obligation. As an Irish SME expands, changes in turnover, customers, products, suppliers and trading arrangements can all affect its VAT positio…

At Patrick McNamara Associates we believe borrowing can be an important part of growing an Irish business, funding investment or managing a major opportunity. However, taking on significant debt is a decision that can affect cash flow, profitability and financial flexibility for years. Before commit…

At Patrick McNamara Associates we believe that strong sales are only valuable when they translate into cash. For Irish SMEs, keeping a close eye on debtor days can provide an early warning that customer payments are taking too long and working capital is becoming stretched. A business can appear pro…

At Patrick McNamara Associates we believe effective tax planning is about more than preparing for a tax deadline. For Irish SMEs, reviewing your position before the end of 2026 can help identify available reliefs, avoid unnecessary liabilities and ensure important financial decisions are made with a…

At Patrick McNamara Associates we believe that protecting profitability is not simply about increasing sales or raising prices. One of the most effective ways to maintain strong financial performance is to regularly review the costs of running the business. Many SME owners only begin examining expen…

At Patrick McNamara Associates we believe that one of the most common misconceptions among business owners is that profitability automatically leads to financial security. While generating a profit is essential, it does not always guarantee that a business will have sufficient cash available to meet…

At Patrick McNamara Associates we believe that financial reporting should do far more than explain what happened last month. For growing SMEs, good financial reporting provides valuable insight into where the business is heading and highlights opportunities that might otherwise remain unnoticed. Man…

At Patrick McNamara Associates we believe that growth should make a business stronger, not more complicated. Many SME owners naturally focus on increasing sales, recruiting more staff and expanding into new markets. While these are all positive signs of progress, growth built on unnecessary complexi…