James Farrell

James Farrell is a CPA-qualified accountant from County Offaly who was appointed Head of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) at the Irish Farm Accounts Co-operative Society (Ifac) in February 2025. He joined Ifac in 2012 and has spearheaded the development of the Offaly and Westmeath area over the past 12 years.

Prior to his promotion, James led Ifac's Tullamore and Mullingar teams. He now serves as Partner and Head of SME, based at Ifac's Kilkenny headquarters. He oversees the delivery of a comprehensive range of advisory services including growth and future planning, tax strategy, and change management to mid to large-scale SMEs across Ireland.

Farrell holds a BBS in Accountancy from Waterford Institute of Technology (2001-2005). Prior to his time at Ifac, he brought experience from Ernst & Young and Walsh Kealey and Company, establishing a track record in accounting and business advisory services.

Career history

• Partner & Head of SME at Ifac Ireland (2024-present)
• Leader of Tullamore & Mullingar teams at Ifac (2012-2025)
• Accountant at Ifac Ireland (2006-2012)
• Experience at Ernst & Young
• Experience at Walsh Kealey and Company

What James Farrell could bring to Head of SME at Ifac: Drawing on his 13-year tenure developing rural and regional markets in Offaly and Westmeath, Farrell brings deep expertise in agricultural business advisory services combined with hands-on leadership of client-facing teams. His background in accounting, tax strategy, and business transformation positions him to drive Ifac's ambitious SME growth strategy by translating sector-specific knowledge into tailored advisory services that address family business succession planning, financial resilience, and digital transformation needs in Ireland's SME market.