Meet the Abac Team

Julian McKeown

Practice Leader

Julian started Abac in 1998; he is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and some of his other qualifications include Business Coaching, Sage Accounts Trainer, Sage Payroll Trainer, IT qualifications, Auditing Qualification, Business Mentor and Business Leadership. Julian’s strength is in helping others achieve their full potential, which is often more than they think they can achieve. Julian aims to split his work time over three activities:

• Helping Clients achieve their goals while maximising their wealth and minimising their taxes.
• Helping staff to be the best professional business person they can be.
• Helping Abac achieve steps 1 and 2 while ensuring that all aspects of the business run smoothly, it is profitable, is constantly developing and that Julian himself is improving as a business person.

In his spare time Julian loves anything to do with business or self improvement: books, TV shows, newspaper articles. Outside of work Julian enjoys running, practicing Karate and spending time with friends and family.

Allison Hamilton

Practice Manager

Allison joined us in July 2010 as a qualified Accounting Technician.

Allison has been in private practice since 2007 and during this time has gained a wealth of experience with both companies and sole traders. Allison now heads up our corporate department and is continuing her development through the chartered certified accountancy exams as well as being a member of the Institute of Financial Accountants.

Allison enjoys spending her spare time with family, socialising with friends and shopping.

Marie Tierney

Accounts Manager

Marie joined Abac in 2008 having already qualified with a BA Hons in Business Studies, a Foundation Degree in Construction Engineering and an OCR Level 2 Certificate in Accounting. Having already worked in the construction industry Marie has a keen interest in contractor and subcontractors accounts. She currently heads up the sole trader and partnership accounts department and the preparation and analysis of income and expenditure accounts.

Marie sat and passed her final Chartered Accountants Ireland exams in 2011 and became a fully qualified Chartered Accountant in November 2012.

In her spare time Marie enjoys keeping fit, spending time with her family and socialising with her friends.

Emer Logue

Companies Manager

After qualifying with a BSc (Hons) degree in Accounting from Jordanstown, Emer joined the practice in January 2014 having previously spent four years in industry preparing VAT, PAYE and management accounts.

Emer sat and passed her final two ACCA exams in December 2014 and became a fully qualified chartered certified accountant with Abac in February 2015.

In her spare time, Emer enjoys keeping fit, spending time with family & friends and taking an active role in her parish SVP Society.

Lisa Ferris

Companies Manager

Lisa joined Abac as a qualified Chartered Accountant in March 2019 and is currently working within our companies team.

Lisa graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Accounting from University of Ulster, Jordanstown and went on to become a fully qualified Chartered Accountant in February 2016.

Following her qualification, Lisa joined a large construction and civil engineering company as a Management Accountant. Lisa was responsible for completing quarterly management accounts, and preparing CIS, RCT and VAT returns.

In her spare time, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and socialising with friends.

Vicki Johnston

Tax and Consultancy Manager

Vicki joined Abac in July 2013, having qualified with a BSc (Hons) degree in Accountancy. Prior to working with Abac, Vicki worked in retail management before joining a practice in 2011.

She sat and passed her Chartered Accountant Ireland final admitting exams in November 2014 & become a fully qualified chartered accountant in February 2016. Vicki has a keen interest in cross border taxes and has a diploma with Chartered Accountants Ireland in Republic of Ireland Taxes.

In her spare time, Vicki enjoys socialising with friends & family, keeping fit & baking.

Kerry Donaghy

Chartered Accountant

Kerry graduated with a BA (Hons) in Accounting in 2005. Kerry started her training with Abac in 2008 and has experience in VAT, PAYE, Sole Traders and now Companies.

Kerry sat and passed the Chartered Accountants Ireland exams in 2013 and became a fully qualified chartered accountant in 2014. She takes responsibility for filing all the Company Annual returns and other statutory duties as well as being actively involved in all other aspects of the Corporate team.

In her spare time Kerry likes walking, cycling and general outdoor activities.

Ciara McKeown

Practice Accountant

Ciara joined Abac in April 2009 bringing eleven years experience as a manager in the charitable sector and a BA in Psychology and Media. She is currently responsible for the practice affairs including in-house Payroll, VAT and monthly accounts.

Ciara undertook the Accounting Technician’s Ireland qualification and qualified in May 2011. She works in the practice on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

When Ciara is not working she enjoys walking, reading and baking.

Sandra Moore

Receptionist & Bookkeeper

Sandra is the face of Abac and is normally the first person you deal with. As well as the important role of looking after clients queries and directing them to someone who can help, she processes all the practice invoices, bookkeeping duties and is Julian’s personal assistant.

Sandra comes with over 20 years office experience including a retail background, joining Abac in 2005. She enjoys socialising, walking and yoga in her spare time

Paul Fitzgerald

Accountant

Paul joined the team in November 2016 with a BA (Hons) in Accounting & Finance. Prior to joining Abac, Paul worked in the Insolvency sector for two years.

He completed his Accounting Technicians course at South West College in summer 2018 and is currently training to become a fully qualified Chartered Certified Accountant.

In his spare time, Paul enjoys running, football & travelling.

Jessica Alexander

Accountant

Jessica joined our team in July 2019 and completed her Accounting Technicians Course in June 2020 at South West College. She is currently furthering her professional development by working her way through and completing her Chartered Accounting exams.

Jessica has experience working in the customer services department within the retail sector and in her spare time, Jessica enjoys volunteering, travelling and socialising with friends and family.

Aidan Heaney

Accountant

Aidan joined Abac in October 2020 and is completed his Accounting Technician Course in June 2021 at South West College. He is currently furthering his professional development by completing his Chartered Accounting exams with Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Prior to joining Abac, Aidan had worked in retail and hospitality, working in his family run Spar shop and Bar.

In his spare time, Aidan enjoys going for hikes and socialising with friends.

Donna Kelly

Accountant

Donna joined Abac in August 2021 having completed her Accounting Technicians Course in June 2020 at South West College.

Donna has 3 years previous experience working in practice, prior to joining Abac.

In her spare time, Donna enjoys playing guitar and spending time with friends and family.

Sinead McGarvey

Trainee Accountant

Sinead joined Abac in August 2023 and is currently completing an apprenticeship through South West College in order to become a qualified Accounting Technician.

Prior to joining Abac Sinead worked in the hospitality sector, where she gained skills that will be vital to the Accounting industry.

In her spare time Sinead enjoys walking with her dog and spending time with friends & family.