Welcome to Garland McDonald & Company

Garland McDonald & Co is an experienced accountancy firm based in North Dublin since 1970. We provide outsourced accounting services at competitive rates to businesses of all sizes throughout Ireland. Our team of highly qualified accountants have over 60 years' experience across a range of areas and offer the highest quality accounting expertise.

Based on the Howth Road at Killester Village in Dublin 3, we offer a comprehensive range of services across the accounting and audit spectrum. We have particular expertise in the following areas:

• Accountancy & Audit
• New Business Start-ups
• Outsourced Accounting
• Taxation
• Company Secretarial
• Business Advisory
• Management Accounting
• Bookkeeping
• Payroll
• Business Plans & Budgets

To find out more about how we can help your business, please call us on (01) 833 5637 to arrange a business consultation.

Why Choose Garland McDonald & Co?

There are many reasons why you should consider us for your company's accounting needs:

Your Accounts Partner

At Garland McDonald & Co, we provide a full range of accountancy services tailored to the needs of your business. Whether you are a sole trader, a partnership or a limited company, our experienced team is on hand to take care of all your accounting requirements — freeing you to focus on running your business.

Accounts Preparation

We prepare annual financial statements for businesses of all types in accordance with Irish GAAP and Financial Reporting Standards. Our accounts are prepared accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring that you have the information you need to make informed decisions.

Management Accounts

Timely management accounts give you an up-to-date picture of your business's financial position. We can prepare monthly or quarterly management accounts to help you monitor performance against targets and budgets throughout the year.

Bookkeeping

Accurate bookkeeping is the foundation of any sound accounting system. Our bookkeeping service ensures that your records are maintained correctly and up to date, providing a reliable basis for your annual accounts and tax returns.

Payroll

Managing payroll can be complex and time-consuming. Our payroll bureau service handles everything from payslips and PAYE/PRSI calculations to Revenue Online Service (ROS) submissions, ensuring your employees are paid correctly and on time and that you remain fully compliant with Revenue requirements.

VAT Returns

We prepare and file your VAT returns with Revenue, ensuring that all input and output VAT is correctly accounted for and that returns are submitted on time to avoid penalties and interest charges.

Compliance Experts

As registered auditors, Garland McDonald & Co provides statutory and non-statutory audit services to companies throughout Ireland. Our audit work is conducted to the highest professional standards, giving directors, shareholders and other stakeholders confidence in the reliability of the financial information presented.

Statutory Audit

Companies that exceed the thresholds set out in the Companies Act 2014 are required to have their financial statements audited. We carry out statutory audits in a thorough and efficient manner, working closely with management to minimise disruption to your business operations.

Our audit approach focuses on understanding the risks specific to your business and applying our procedures accordingly. We communicate our findings clearly to management and the board, highlighting any areas of concern and providing practical recommendations for improvement.

Non-Statutory Audit

Many businesses that are not legally required to have an audit choose to do so voluntarily — for example to satisfy the requirements of funders, grant bodies or other stakeholders. We are experienced in providing non-statutory audits tailored to your specific requirements.

Internal Controls Review

Good internal controls are essential to safeguarding a business's assets and ensuring the reliability of its financial reporting. As part of our audit engagement, or as a standalone service, we review your internal control environment and provide recommendations to strengthen your procedures and reduce the risk of fraud or error.

Grant Certification

We provide independent certification of grant claims for Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices and other bodies, ensuring that expenditure is accurately reported and that all grant conditions are met.

Tax Compliance and Revenue Audits

The one thing we hear most from our clients is that they want to manage their tax liabilities effectively. The Irish taxation system is one of the most complex in the developed world, with different tax rates and constantly changing levies creating difficulties for many businesses and individuals. We are here to take the worry away — advising you on being as tax compliant as possible while utilising all the allowances available to you personally and to your business.

We have a team of experienced tax accountants who continuously monitor all tax changes and updates as they happen, so you do not have to — leaving you to concentrate on running your business.

You can be assured that you will never miss a tax deadline again. We will remind you well in advance when the next liability is due, and will advise you on tax planning opportunities to help improve your cash flow. No more complicated tax forms — we will complete any return on your behalf.

Tax Compliance Services

Our team of experts will help you with the following compliance requirements, whether you are an individual, self-employed, in a partnership or operating through a limited company:

• Income Tax
• Corporation Tax
• Value Added Tax (VAT)
• PAYE, PRSI and USC
• Capital Gains Tax
• Relevant Contracts Tax
• Capital Acquisitions Tax
• Deposit Interest Retention Tax
• Stamp Duties
• Withholding Taxes

Revenue Audit Support

One of the greatest concerns for any business is facing a Revenue audit. By choosing us as your taxation partners, we will ensure that you are prepared well in advance and that you do not face the process alone.

We have extensive experience in dealing with Revenue auditors. We will advise you on the procedure and draft a detailed plan for how the audit should be managed. Preparation and the right approach when dealing with the Revenue Commissioners is the key to a successful outcome.

Strategic Support for Your Business

Beyond compliance, Garland McDonald & Co offers a range of business advisory services designed to help you grow and manage your business more effectively. Drawing on over 60 years' combined experience, our advisers work closely with clients to provide practical, actionable guidance tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities you face.

Business Planning & Budgeting

A well-constructed business plan and budget are essential tools for any growing business. We work with you to develop realistic financial forecasts and operational plans that can be used to support funding applications, guide strategic decisions and measure performance throughout the year.

Management Reporting

Regular, meaningful management reports give you the information you need to run your business with confidence. We design and prepare management reporting packs that present your key financial and operational metrics clearly, helping you to identify trends, monitor margins and respond quickly to changing conditions.

Cash Flow Management

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business. We help you to understand your cash flow cycle, prepare cash flow forecasts and put in place practical measures to improve your working capital position and reduce reliance on expensive short-term finance.

Finance Raising

Whether you are looking to invest in new equipment, expand your premises or fund a management buyout, we can assist you in preparing the financial information and business case required to support applications to banks, credit unions, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices and other funding bodies.

Company Restructuring

As your business evolves, your corporate structure may need to evolve with it. We advise on restructuring options including the formation of holding companies, corporate reorganisations and succession planning, with a view to protecting your assets and optimising your tax position.

Compliance Made Simple

Irish companies are subject to a wide range of statutory obligations under the Companies Act 2014. Failure to comply can result in penalties, loss of audit exemption and reputational damage. At Garland McDonald & Co, we provide a comprehensive company secretarial service that keeps your company fully compliant at all times.

Annual Return Filing

Every Irish company is required to file an annual return with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). We prepare and file your annual return on time each year, ensuring that your company remains in good standing with the CRO and that you retain eligibility for audit exemption where applicable.

Company Incorporation

If you are setting up a new company, we handle the entire incorporation process — from selecting the appropriate company type and preparing the constitution to registering the company with the CRO and obtaining your company number.

Maintenance of Statutory Registers

Irish companies are required to maintain a number of statutory registers, including a register of members, a register of directors and a register of beneficial ownership. We maintain these registers on your behalf and ensure they are kept up to date whenever changes occur.

Company Changes

We handle all notifiable changes to a company's details, including changes of director, secretary, registered office address, share capital and company name — filing the required forms with the CRO promptly and accurately.

Meetings & Resolutions

We prepare minutes of meetings, written resolutions and other board and shareholder documentation in accordance with the Companies Act 2014 and your company's constitution.

Are You Thinking of Starting a New Business?

It's at times like these when getting the right advice is more important than ever. Whether you are planning to set up a limited company, a partnership or to trade as a sole trader, our team at Garland McDonald & Co is trained to the highest standards to give you the very best advice — helping your business start in the right direction and ensuring full accountancy and tax compliance from day one.

Limited Company vs. Sole Trader

One of the first decisions any new business owner must make is whether to trade as a sole trader or to incorporate a limited company. Here are some of the key considerations:

Advantages of a Limited Company

• Low corporate tax rate: Ireland's Corporation Tax rate of 12.5% on trading profits is one of the lowest in the world.
• Limited liability: Shareholders are only liable to lose the share capital they subscribe. Sole traders and partners put their personal assets at risk.
• Pension planning: A limited company provides greater scope for director pension contributions.
• Raising finance: A limited company has greater ability to raise finance through the issue of shares and by accessing schemes such as the Employment and Investment Incentive (EII).
• Ownership flexibility: Ownership can be spread over a greater number of people, facilitating succession planning.
• Personal tax advantages: Certain personal tax advantages can accrue for directors of a limited company.
• Credibility: Trading through a limited company can lend greater credibility to your business.
• Name protection: Registration of your company name prevents another limited company from using the same name.

While a limited company offers many advantages, it also involves higher administration costs. We will help you weigh up all the options and choose the structure best suited to your circumstances.

Alternative Business Structures

You may also want to consider establishing your business as one of the following:

• Partnership
• Sole Trader
• Registered Business Name
• Foreign Company Branch
• Limited Partnership

Start-Up Support We Provide

We assist new businesses with:

• Choosing the appropriate legal structure
• Company formation and CRO registration
• Tax registration with Revenue (Income Tax, Corporation Tax, VAT, PAYE)
• Setting up bookkeeping and accounting systems
• Preparing business plans and financial projections
• Identifying and applying for available grants and financial supports
• Advising on VAT thresholds and obligations
• Ongoing compliance support as your business grows

For more information on your options and to find out what structure might best suit you, please contact us to arrange a consultation.

Accounting Outsourced — Your Way

Garland McDonald & Co provides fully outsourced accounting services using the leading cloud-based accounting platforms available today. By entrusting your accounting function to us, you gain access to a team of qualified professionals at a fraction of the cost of a full-time finance department — with real-time visibility of your finances available whenever and wherever you need it.

Cloud Accounting Platforms

We work with the most widely used cloud accounting platforms, helping you choose and implement the solution that best fits your business. Cloud accounting gives you and your adviser access to the same up-to-date information at the same time, making collaboration faster and more efficient.

Benefits of cloud-based accounting include:

• Real-time access to your financial data from any device
• Automatic bank feeds reducing manual data entry
• Simple invoicing and expense management tools
• Automated payroll and Revenue reporting integrations
• Scalable solutions that grow with your business
• Secure, backed-up data — no risk of losing records

What We Handle For You

Our outsourced accounting service can cover as much or as little as you need, including:

• Day-to-day bookkeeping and transaction processing
• Bank and credit card reconciliations
• Sales invoicing and debtor management
• Purchase ledger and creditor management
• Payroll processing and Revenue submissions
• VAT return preparation and filing
• Monthly or quarterly management accounts
• Year-end accounts preparation and filing

A Flexible, Scalable Solution

Our outsourced service is entirely flexible. There are no long-term contracts — we provide the level of service you need, adjusted as your business grows or changes. This gives you the accounting support of an experienced team without the cost and commitment of employing your own finance staff.