Professional services firm Azets Ireland plans to double the size of its outsourcing division from a staff of 20 over the next 18 months.
The group is seeking to provide competition in the growing outsourcing industry, which was worth an estimated €1bn last year despite there being only a handful of firms providing services to companies in Ireland.
Azets will roll out cloud accounting and bookkeeping services, management reporting, payroll services, business process outsourcing and staff secondment services to businesses.
The company said its cloud accounting technology would offer a cost-effective and bespoke solution while providing real-time management information to clients in sectors including property development, energy, retail and professional services.
Susan Wylie, a senior partner at Azets, will lead the outsourcing department alongside Avril Shortt, and Jennifer Kelly recently joined the business services outsourcing team.
Azets has committed to increasing its headcount in Ireland to 400 people by the end of 2025. The company currently employs 220 people at its locations in Dublin, Enniscorthy and Waterford.
“By outsourcing certain accounting and compliance functions and leveraging the most modern cloud-based solutions, business leaders can regain valuable time and focus on growth and innovation,” said Wylie, head of business services outsourcing at Azets Ireland.
“This need will only grow with pension auto-enrolment being introduced in January 2025 and gender pay gap reporting requirements being extended to employers with 150 or more employees this year and to employers with 50 or more employees in 2025.
“At Azets Ireland, our team of experts with decades of experience has the knowledge and understanding to support smaller businesses who may lack in-house expertise or multi-national companies who require local accounting, payroll and compliance knowledge.
“We look forward to meeting the needs of ambitious entrepreneurs and business leaders in Ireland and using technology to help them power their growth ambition.”
Neil Hughes, CEO of Azets Ireland, added that the commitment to doubling the size of the outsourcing within two years marks “a pivotal moment” in the company’s growth and demonstrated its commitment to Ireland.
“It also presents an opportunity to support under-served firms who have often been ignored by the big six accountancy firms. Many of these firms are facing rising wage costs, new regulatory obligations and difficulties in attracting and retaining talent,” he continued.
“The accounting, payroll and compliance expertise we’ve brought together at Azets Ireland will help firms to overcome those challenges and drive their growth agenda forward.
“We plan to grow our outsourcing department significantly and hire talented professionals and graduates who are passionate about providing a high-quality personal service to pioneering Irish businesses.”
Azets employs 8,200 people across 189 European offices in the UK, Ireland and the Nordic countries.
Photo: (l-r) Avril Shortt, outsourcing associate director; Neil Hughes, CEO; Jennifer Kelly, outsourcing director; and Susan Wylie, head of business services outsourcing, Azets Ireland. (Pic: Supplied)