Become a Chartered Accountant

Shaun McGlade: Building a Business, Balancing Life

Chartered Accountants Ireland

From growing up on a family farm to leading his own accountancy practice, Shaun McGlade’s journey shows the power of hard work, adaptability, and vision. In this episode, Shaun reflects on the lessons learned from his parents’ business, the importance of making numbers “real” for clients, and the leap of faith it took to leave a secure job to start SMC Ltd. He shares how the Chartered Accountancy qualification opened doors, why flexibility matters for both students and professionals, and how running his own firm has brought unexpected rewards — from hiring staff to shaping the future of his community.