Annabel Walsh
Dublin 7,Ireland
Summary
Highly motivated and results-driven ACCA-qualified accountant with 20+ years of experience in financial management, budgeting, planning, and reporting. Proven track record in research financial management, specialising in pre- and post-award grant administration. Extensive experience in multi-disciplinary academic and research environments, with strong expertise in financial governance, compliance, and strategic planning within complex organisations.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
2024
2024
years of post-secondary education
Work history
School Finance and Research Manager
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin
10.2022 - 03.2025
- Responsible for the leadership and management of School Finance and research activity, including leading a team of nine professional staff
- Oversee financial management for all teaching and research activities within the School and its research centres
- Lead financial planning, budgeting, and analysis across multiple funding sources, minimizing financial risk and promoting value for money
- Develop and implement financial and research strategies, integrating operational planning, business development, and strategic initiatives
- Provide strategic financial insights, including scenario modelling, expenditure policies, and sustainable funding models to support decision-making
- Support research centre development by establishing sustainable funding models and aligning financial strategies with organizational goals
- Advise the Head of School and centre directors on financial strategy, risk management, and compliance with legal, financial, and institutional regulations
- Prepare financial reports and conduct variance analysis for internal and external stakeholders, including School Management, Funding Agencies, and Industry Partners
- Evaluate research budgets and proposals, assessing risks and recommending appropriate actions
- Develop and enforce robust financial controls, embedding effective risk management structures and frameworks
- Develop and manage the School's budgets and financial targets, including five-year financial forecasts and payroll planning within the annual budget cycle
Pre-Award Research Accountant
University College Dublin
12.2021 - 10.2022
- Working within the central University Research, Innovation and Impact
- Provision of specialist support in the preparation of proposals for national and international programs
- Critically evaluating research budgets and proposals, assessing for risks and make recommendations on appropriate action
- Final endorsement of research budgets and accompanying justifications prior to the submission of the proposal
- Development of budget templates and tools and process improvement
- Provide financial support and advice to PI's
Research & Finance Officer
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin
06.2007 - 12.2021
- I commenced in the School as a research finance officer, responsible for pre & post award
- As research activity in the School grew, I took more of leadership role, developing systems and controls
- Provide financial control and management of all School and Research accounts, including monthly, quarterly, and end-of-year reports as required
- Financial oversight for research grants and awards, both pre and post-award, ensuring compliance, competitiveness and value for money
- Management of a diverse portfolio of grants and awards, ensuring governance and to minimise exposure to legal and financial risk
- Analysis of financial and statistical data, providing reliable insight to support financial planning, and operational and strategic decision making
- Advise and guide PI's in the development of financial information for interim and final reports, grant changes, and in preparation for audits by funding bodies
- Establish standard operating procedures, ensuring robust internal controls to mitigate financial and legal risks
- Conduct financial planning and scenario modelling to support business development, operations, and strategic planning
- Critically evaluate financial plans and proposals, identifying risks and recommending appropriate actions
- Advise the Director of Research on funding strategies to address challenges and opportunities within the sector
- Lead and develop a team of six finance professionals, enhancing their competencies and skills
- Prepare and present financial reports to internal and external stakeholders, including School Management, Principal Investigators, the Financial Services Division, and funding agencies
- Prepare research grant submission reports and analyse statistical data to assess performance and identify trends in research activity
Project Accounting Administrator
Financial Services Division, Trinity College Dublin
11.2005 - 06.2007
- Manage a portfolio of research projects valued at €32m, with an annual spend of €100m, overseeing account setup, administration, and financial management
- Monitor expenditure, commitments, and budget amendments, processing cost transfers, invoices, income bookings, partner payments, and sponsor refunds
- Prepare and submit financial reports, including annual and interim reports for research sponsors, ensuring compliance with tight deadlines
- Provide financial guidance to non-financial stakeholders within the college community on research project finances
- Post indirect costs to relevant school accounts based on direct cost transfers
- Collaborate with internal departments and external auditors, ensuring compliance with statutory and research policy organization (RPO) requirements
Accounts Assistant
Serco Integrated Services Ireland
07.2005 - 11.2005
- Company Overview: Facilities management, Dublin
- Prepared monthly accounts to trial balance, reconciliation, financial reporting and variance analysis., filing of files for vat returns and year end audits
- Facilities management, Dublin
Accounts Payable Clerk
Jenkinson Freight
01.2005 - 07.2005
- Company Overview: Transport and logistics, Dublin
Credit Controller
Deloitte
10.2004 - 01.2005
- Company Overview: Professional Services, Dublin
Accounts assistant
Alliance Atlantis Entertainment Group
02.2002 - 09.2004
- Company Overview: T.V Production & distribution
Education
Diploma in Leadership & Management -
UCD Professional Academy
ACCA Qualified Accountant - undefined
Association of Chartered Certified Accounts
BA (Hons) - Accounting and Finance (1st)
Dublin Business School
Accounting Technician - Distinction
Institute of Accounting Technicians Ireland
Skills
- Financial management
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Financial planning & budgeting
- Financial control and risk assessment
- Financial Analysis & reporting
- Advanced ICT - MS Office, OBIEE and Oracle
- Highly adaptable and flexible
- Interpersonal & communication
- Relationship Building
Affiliations
- I enjoy reading, music, live concerts, and traveling to experience new cultures. In my spare time, I express my creativity through knitting.
Referees
- Mr. Frank O’ Rourke, School Manager, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, orourkef@tcd.ie
- Prof. Catherine Comiskey, PI, Former Head of School, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, comiske@tcd.ie
- John Dinsmore / Eilish?, Principal Investigator, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Elaine.sharkey@tcd.ie
Timeline
School Finance and Research Manager
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin
10.2022 - 03.2025
Pre-Award Research Accountant
University College Dublin
12.2021 - 10.2022
Research & Finance Officer
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin
06.2007 - 12.2021
Project Accounting Administrator
Financial Services Division, Trinity College Dublin
11.2005 - 06.2007
Accounts Assistant
Serco Integrated Services Ireland
07.2005 - 11.2005
Accounts Payable Clerk
Jenkinson Freight
01.2005 - 07.2005
Credit Controller
Deloitte
10.2004 - 01.2005
Accounts assistant
Alliance Atlantis Entertainment Group
02.2002 - 09.2004
ACCA Qualified Accountant - undefined
Association of Chartered Certified Accounts
BA (Hons) - Accounting and Finance (1st)
Dublin Business School
Accounting Technician - Distinction
Institute of Accounting Technicians Ireland
Diploma in Leadership & Management -
UCD Professional Academy
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