Meet our Finance Managers

Louise Kinane, Finance Manager, IT Sligo

I manage the Finance Department within IT Sligo with a team of 13 staff members. We process all institute payments including staff salaries and payments to suppliers. The department is also responsible for the Agresso Financial Accounting System, Research Accounting, Statutory Accounts, Management Accounts and Goods Inwards.

We are working to ensure we have all processes in place, particularly regarding payroll, so that staff will get paid in April as part of the new TU while keeping our respective Agresso and CORE HR systems in place. The Finance Managers work very well together. The subgroup is an excellent forum for liaising with each other as we all face the same issues and questions.

Students will benefit from graduating from a technological university. It will certainly be good for their CVs. There will also be great opportunities for all staff in the TU with potential for advancement or movement to new roles.

Paul McEldowney, Finance Manager, LYIT

I am responsible for managing LYIT’s finance function, ensuring that we meet all regulatory and reporting requirements.

We have worked together to create a project plan, identify the tasks that need to be prioritised, and have formed a team with staff from each of the institutes.

The policies and procedures have been shared, and we can begin to review these to understand the different practices in each of the institutes. We have already seen many similarities. Where there are differences, we want to identify the best practices or system enhancements to ensure we meet our overall objectives of supporting staff and students in the new TU.

I am looking forward to learning from a wider group of colleagues and sharing knowledge to adopt best practices. I am also looking forward to the many challenges that face us in the years to come. It’s an exciting time for everyone.

Bríd Prendergast, Finance Manager (jointly with Edel O’Connor), GMIT

I work with Edel O’Connor to jointly manage the finance function of GMIT, including management and financial reporting, budget preparation and management, and implementation of appropriate systems of control.

To ensure that staff and suppliers continue to be paid seamlessly by the new entity.

We have been working well together since September 2019 on several activities. These include creating a consolidated financial plan, review of policies, joint plans for Phase 2 of the Financial Management System (FMS) upgrade and sharing best practices.

The complete integration of our financial and payroll systems. We are aiming to complete this over the next 20 months. An ATU Finance Integration Team will assist with these processes.

The TU will enhance the opportunities available to staff and students and enable exposure to a wealth of expertise.

Created a consolidated financial plan including a plan for the integration of systems and procedures.

Reviewed policies and procedures across the three institutes.

Shared knowledge, expertise and best practice across the three institutes.

Identified the key requirements for designation day which include creating a new employer tax registration to facilitate payroll.