CIARA FITZGERALD

BKRM Nexus

Director BKRM Nexus

Based in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, BKRM Nexus provides a full range of accountancy and advisory services to individuals, sole traders and companies. Ciara Fitzgerald manages the prep and submission of financial statements, tax returns and various other documents.

ACTIVITY We were kept very busy with clients seeking advice on government schemes like the TWSS, EWSS and the CRSS. We also assisted clients who were able to avail of the Restart grants offered by local authorities. Some clients also came to us for help in liaising with their banks to access funding via the Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme.

Some of our clients work in hospitality and other industries that have been greatly affected by the pandemic. It has been difficult to manage our cashflow and support those clients who find themselves being unable to pay for our services. However, we are always willing to find out what works for our clients while offering them enhanced support at a time when they need it most.

REMOTE WORKING We already had the IT infrastructure to allow us to work remotely, so service provision wasn’t badly affected. It was difficult to collaborate, as we couldn’t meet with our staff or clients faceto-face. Software like Microsoft Teams and Zoom helps, although we miss the regular face-to-face meetings with clients.

BUSINESS SUPPORTS The government supports have been extremely helpful in keeping SMEs in business and people in jobs. Once that support is withdrawn, there will almost certainly be businesses that become insolvent. The pandemic has forced a lot of business owners to pivot and become creative with their business plans. Those that have been unable to generate any income like wet pubs, hairdressers and beauty salons have found it very hard to hang on. Governments, landlords and banks need to work with businesses in any way they can to help keep the SME sector alive and ready for a recovering economy.

ENTERPRISE Some people have come back from working abroad to take advantage of opportunities in Ireland, more are setting up Irish limited companies to mitigate risks associated with Brexit, and others are expanding their existing business to take advantage of opportunities the pandemic and Brexit have offered up.

‘Businesses unable to generate any income have found it hard to hang on’