Skip to content

Margin Under Pressure: How Irish SMEs Can Protect Profit Without Raising Prices

At Kerry Lehane & Co we know rising costs continue to challenge Irish SMEs across every sector. Labour, energy, materials and financing have all increased, yet many businesses feel constrained when it comes to increasing prices. The risk of losing customers or becoming uncompetitive is real. However, protecting profit does not always require higher prices.…

Read More

Dividend Planning in 2026: What Irish Company Owners Should Consider

For many Irish company owners, dividends remain a key method of extracting profits from their business. While dividends can offer flexibility, effective planning is essential to ensure they are paid in a tax efficient and compliant manner. In 2026, with ongoing changes in tax rules and economic conditions, careful dividend planning has become even more…

Read More

Personal Guarantees and Directors: Understanding the Financial Exposure

For many Irish SME directors, securing finance is a necessary step in growing a business. Whether funding expansion, purchasing equipment or managing cash flow, lenders often require more than the company’s assets as security. This is where personal guarantees come into play. While they can unlock access to finance, they also create significant personal financial…

Read More

Protecting Minority Shareholders: Governance Best Practice for SMEs

In many Irish SMEs, ownership is shared between a small number of founders, investors or family members. While majority shareholders often control strategic decisions, minority shareholders still hold important rights and interests in the business. Protecting these interests through good governance is essential for maintaining trust, stability and long term success. Minority shareholders typically hold…

Read More

The Risks of Director’s Loans: What Revenue and the CRO Expect

Director’s loans are a common feature of many Irish SMEs. In smaller companies, the line between personal and business finances can sometimes become blurred, particularly where directors inject funds into the business or withdraw money during the year. While director’s loans can provide flexibility, they also carry important tax and compliance risks if not properly…

Read More

Improving Decision-Making Through Better Monthly Financial Reviews

At Kerry Lehane & Co we know for many Irish SMEs, monthly financial reviews are treated as a routine compliance exercise. Accounts are prepared, figures are noted and attention quickly shifts back to day to day operations. Yet in 2026, with tighter margins and increased volatility, businesses that use their monthly reviews strategically are far…

Read More

Extracting Profits Tax Efficiently: Salary, Dividends or Pension Contributions?

For many business owners, generating profit is only part of the financial equation. The next question is how to extract those profits from the company in the most tax efficient way. In Ireland, SME directors commonly use a combination of salary, dividends and pension contributions to access profits. Each option has different tax implications, and…

Read More

Shareholder Agreements Explained: Why Every SME Should Review Theirs

Many Irish SMEs begin as partnerships between friends, family members or business colleagues who share a common vision. In the early stages, relationships are often strong and formal agreements may seem unnecessary. However, as businesses grow and circumstances change, having a clear shareholder agreement becomes one of the most important protections a company can have.…

Read More

The True Impact of Stock Management on Cash Flow and Profit

At Kerry Lehane & Co we know for many Irish SMEs, stock is both an asset and a risk. It represents future sales, yet it also ties up cash that could be used elsewhere in the business. In 2026, with cost pressures and tighter margins affecting multiple sectors, effective stock management is no longer an…

Read More

Directors’ Duties in 2026: Staying Compliant Under Irish Company Law

Serving as a company director in Ireland carries significant responsibility. While many SME owners focus primarily on growing their businesses, it is equally important to understand the legal duties that accompany the role of director. In 2026, Irish company law continues to place clear obligations on directors to act responsibly, maintain proper records and protect…

Read More