Celebrating Two Years of Partnership for Mental Health: Crowleys DFK and Aware

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Celebrating Two Years of Partnership for Mental Health - Crowleys DFK and AwareCrowleys DFK is delighted to celebrate the completion of a successful two-year charity partnership with Aware, the national organisation providing free support, education and information services to people impacted by anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and related mood conditions. Since the beginning of this collaboration, we have been driven by a shared mission to enhance mental wellbeing and reduce stigma within our communities.

“Supporting Aware has shown me that small acts of kindness can ripple out and create lasting change. It resonates deeply with me because it’s not just about giving—it’s about standing together, breaking the silence, and showing that no one must face their struggles alone. Understanding and tackling mental health plays a large part in my life and in the lives of many today. I have enjoyed taking part in the various activities and fundraising events Crowleys DFK have organised over the past 2 years. It has not only allowed me to contribute to a cause I deeply believe in but has also strengthened my connection to a community that shares a commitment to improving mental health.”

Paul Mulcahy | HR Generalist | Human Resources

The partnership began with an ambitious vision: to combine the resources, reach, and commitment of Crowleys DFK with the expertise and dedicated services of Aware. Over two years, our collaboration has yielded inspiring results.

Fundraising Milestones

With the generous contributions of our employees, we proudly raised over €40,000 to support Aware. Our team actively participated in numerous fundraising events organised by Aware, such as the Liffey Loop, Resilience Lunch, and Corporate Golf Day. Additionally, many of our employees generously signed up for the Donate As You Earn (payroll giving) programme. They also took part in a range of internal initiatives, including the Crowleys DFK Hike for Aware, Crowleys DFK May Step Challenge and various raffles.

“Supporting Aware throughout the past two years has been a wonderful experience. Aware has always been an organisation which has been close to my heart over the years, and it was delightful to support Aware through various in office initiatives and a brilliant day out to the Golf outing in Milltown Golf Club. This was a great opportunity to play golf alongside Crowleys DFK staff and meet the wonderful people supporting Aware every year from all over Ireland. It is something I would love to and will support into the future.

I would also like to make a special mention to Drew Flood and Stephen Butterly for their tireless efforts raising funds for Aware year on year and the overwhelming hospitality we received whenever we met at various events. I look forward to catching up in the future.”

Conor Martin | Senior Associate | Public Sector & Government Services

Raising Awareness and Employee Engagement

In collaboration with Aware, we introduced mental health workshops and webinars for our employees, aimed at equipping our team members with tools to prioritise mental well-being. The “Positive Mental Health at Work: Building Strength for the Future” webinar was conducted to enhance employees’ understanding of the need and benefits of wellness in the workplace. Additionally, Aware facilitated half-day workshops on “Managing Mental Health in the Workplace” for our senior leadership and management teams. These informative sessions provided valuable insights and practical tips for fostering mental health conversations.

“Aware offers invaluable services to those struggling with depression, and I strongly believe that funding for their work is both crucial and impactful. It was truly an honour to contribute to raising money for this vital charity. I hope the funds we gathered have made a difference, helping someone navigate their challenging times.”

Adam Lucey | Associate | Tax Services

Reflecting on the collaboration, James O’Connor, Managing Partner at Crowleys DFK, said:

“Partnering with Aware has been an incredibly rewarding initiative. Mental health touches all of our lives, and it’s been inspiring to see our employees come together in support of this essential cause. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and look forward to continuing our advocacy for mental health in the years ahead.”

Drew Flood, Business Development Manager at Aware, also shared:

“Thank you to everyone in Crowleys DFK for an incredible partnership over the last two years. Your support for various events has raised an incredible amount, which will help Aware continue to provide free mental health support across Ireland. Your commitment to corporate social responsibility has made a significant impact and thank you for prioritising mental health. On behalf of the tens of thousands of people who engage with Aware’s services each year, I extend a heartfelt thank you.”

Though the formal partnership has concluded, Crowleys DFK remains committed to supporting mental health initiatives. As we move forward, we aim to build on the mental health resources and support available to our employees, while also exploring new opportunities for collaboration. Mental health will remain central to our wellness and well-being mission in the years ahead.

To everyone who donated, participated in events, and supported our partnership, we extend our heartfelt thanks. Together, we have made a real difference

For more information on how you can continue to support mental health initiatives, please visit Aware. Let’s continue the conversation around mental health and work towards a future where everyone feels supported, valued, and heard.

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Reflecting on our 2023 Partnership with Aware

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Crowleys DFK Charity Partnership with Aware

As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on the first year of our two-year partnership with Aware, marked by a significant fundraising total of €17,436.

Throughout the year, we participated in various fundraising events organised by Aware including the Liffey Loop, Resilience Lunch and Corporate Golf Day. Additionally, our employees generously signed up to our Donate As You Earn (payroll giving) programme and took part in a number of other internal initiatives.

Beyond fundraising, we partnered with Aware to provide learning and development opportunities for our employees in the area of mental health. Notably, our senior leadership team attended a half day workshop on Managing Mental Health in the Workplace. This informative workshop provided valuable insights and practical tips for developing mental health conversations. It received very positive feedback from all participants.

Speaking about our partnership with Aware, James O Connor, Managing Partner, commented:

“Looking back on 2023, we appreciate the contributions of our employees which not only led to a substantial fundraising achievement but has also actively promoted awareness and understanding of mental health within our firm. We look forward to building on these foundations in 2024.”

Drew Flood, Business Development Manager in Aware, commented:

“I want to thank everyone in Crowleys DFK for the wonderful contribution you have made over the last year. It has been absolutely brilliant working with you.

I want to thank you for the money you have raised but more importantly I want to thank you for highlighting ‘having the conversation about mental health’ in the organisation and attending our educational workshops.

We have had over 30,000 calls on our support line this year and at the end of the year we will have over 50,000 people contacting Aware. Your contribution has really made a big difference to all the service users.  On behalf of everyone in Aware a big thank you to everyone in Crowleys DFK and thank you for putting mental health on the map!”

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Crowleys DFK Introduce Work From Anywhere Policy

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Work from Anywhere Policy

In the ever-evolving landscape of the modern workplace, adaptability is key. We value the flexibility of our employees in effectively carrying out their job responsibilities, all the while providing the highest level of support to our clients.

We are excited to announce the latest addition to our suite of work-life balance and flexibility policies: a “Work from Anywhere” Policy.

The policy allows employees to perform the duties of their employment, away from their Crowleys DFK office for temporary periods within the working year, including time spent outside Ireland.

James O’Connor, Managing Partner commented:

“Our decision to embrace a Work from Anywhere policy is rooted in the understanding that the future of work is dynamic, and Crowleys DFK are committed to staying ahead of the curve. This policy is designed to empower our employees by enhancing the work experience and further cultivate a supportive work environment that values work-life balance, flexibility and inclusivity.”

If you are interested in a career with us, please check out our careers for experienced professionals or our graduate programme.

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Crowleys DFK take part in Customised Leadership & Management Programme

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Leadership & Management

A bespoke Leadership & Management Programme was recently completed by 27 members of our management team (senior managers, managers, and assistant managers).

The certified programme, which was delivered by UCD’s Professional Academy, required a significant commitment from the team as it took place over an 8-week period for a total duration of 24 hours.

The course was developed to give participants an understanding of how a successful and productive environment can be established and maintained over the long term through team development and performance enhancement. The broader aim of the course was to help develop quality leaders, who will in turn foster a positive and supportive workplace culture.

“I learned various strategies on how to effectively mentor my team members to be able to produce a quality output while developing their skills.”

– Kyna Lontok, Manager, Risk Consulting

The training took place over Zoom and brought together management from our Dublin and Cork offices for intensely interactive sessions. The sessions comprised eight classes that covered a range of interesting and relevant topics, such as Coaching and Mentoring as Managers, Getting the Best from Your People and Difficult Conversations. The programme made extensive use of case studies to ensure the sessions were applicable to real-world scenarios in the contemporary workplace.

 “The biggest takeaways for me was on communication together with motivation. What motivates me may not always motivate my team. I feel the course has made me more aware of the qualities required to both lead and manage a team.”

– Joanne O’Sullivan, Manager, Audit & Assurance

The programme aligns with Crowleys DFK’s commitment to learning and development, which is a key part of our overall business strategy and a core component of our Performance Development Programme (PDP). The firm recognises the value of supporting its management teams, both new and experienced, with ongoing training. Participating in this programme will help our managers more easily navigate daily challenges, handle their varied workloads, and ensure the continued success of their teams.

I gained valuable insight into the various forms of leadership, the difference between coaching and mentoring and the importance of both in developing team members.

– Brian O’Donoghue, Assistant Manager, Accounting & Financial Advisory

If you are interested in developing your career with Crowleys DFK, take a look at our career options.

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Crowleys DFK Recognised in Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2023

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Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing

We are delighted to be recognised in the Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index, for the third year in a row.

This index, published by Business & Finance in partnership with Ibec, recognises top businesses of all sizes who lead the way and have improved their performance in supporting employee mental health and wellbeing.

This follows our recent reaccreditation of the prestigious Ibec KeepWell MarkTM; an evidence-based accreditation and award that recognises Irish employers for investing in workplace health and wellbeing.

Speaking about this achievement, Paula McCann, Health & Wellbeing Lead said:

“The health and wellbeing of our employees is a core priority for us. We are striving towards a true culture of wellbeing and the inclusion of Crowleys DFK in this index for the third year in a row is a great acknowledgement of the progress we have made.”

Ian Hyland, Publisher, Business & Finance, commented:

“We are honoured to be working with our partners Ibec to recognise the companies that place employee wellbeing at the top of their priority list. It is imperative for businesses that the wellness of the entire team plays a core part of their business strategy to cultivate a healthy and rewarding working environment which is crucial for business and employee development.”

Danny McCoy, CEO, Ibec commented:

“It’s important to recognise the efforts being made by businesses in supporting the wellbeing of their people. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria is now driving how investors evaluate companies. Mental health and overall wellbeing of employees is increasingly forming part of the measurable foundation of the ‘S’ within ESG.”

If you are interested in working in one of Ireland’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing, take a look at our career options.

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Crowleys DFK Awarded Bronze Investors in Diversity EDI Mark

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Investors in Diversity Bronze

Crowleys DFK is proud to be awarded with the Bronze Investors in Diversity Mark from the Irish Centre for Diversity. This is Ireland’s only Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Mark.

In recent years we have committed to advancing our EDI journey, embracing it as a top priority in everything we do, from hiring to developing talent to client engagement and internal communications.

The accreditation process for the Mark began with a detailed  application process  to take part in the Skillnet Ireland’s funded programme. This was followed by three senior management employees participating in a 4-week intensive training course. The Irish Centre for Diversity then worked with the team to assess and benchmark our efforts relating to the D&I agenda.

Commenting on the achievement of the Bronze Investors in Diversity EDI Mark, Vincent Teo, Partner and EDI Lead, said:

“We are on a very exciting EDI journey and achieving the Bronze Investors in Diversity EDI Mark is a great step forward. This award recognises the strong foundation we have built for embedding Diversity and Inclusion in the firm and demonstrates our full commitment to an equitable and inclusive workplace to our employees and our clients. We are proud to add the Mark to our name as an Investor in Diversity.”

We know we are on a journey but attaining the Bronze Accreditation Mark is a great recognition of the progress we’ve made and the momentum we’ve built.

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Crowleys DFK Announce Aware as Charity Partner for 2023-2024

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Crowleys DFK is delighted to announce that Aware has been selected by our employees as its Charity Partner for 2023-2024.

Aware is the national organisation providing free support, education and information services to those impacted by anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and related mood conditions.

Aware undertakes to create a society where people affected by stress, depression, bipolar disorder and mood related conditions are understood, supported, free from stigma, and are encouraged to access appropriate therapies.

Commenting on the announcement, James O’Connor, Managing Partner, said:

“We are delighted to have Aware as our Charity Partner for 2023 & 2024. The work that Aware does has never been more important. We are looking forward to working with this great charity to help raise much needed funds and raise awareness of mental health issues.

We believe that this partnership will also help us further embed mental wellbeing into our corporate culture and build on what we have already achieved in terms of our awareness initiatives, manager training and the supports available to our employees. Reducing the stigma associated with mental health in the workplace is a key goal for the firm.”

Stephen Butterly, Head of Fundraising & Business Development at Aware said:

“We are delighted to have been selected as charity partner of Crowleys DFK for the next two years. Aware exist to support people impacted by depression and bipolar disorder all across Ireland, and the support of organisations like Crowleys DFK is vital to ensuring that we can be there for people when they need us, 365 days a year. We look forward to getting to know the teams in Dublin and Cork, and to working together on initiatives over the coming years.”

In the coming weeks, Crowleys DFK will work with Aware to develop a fundraising calendar for this two-year partnership.

Please keep an eye on our website and our social media feeds (LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram) to follow our journey supporting Aware throughout 2023-2024.

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3 Years Supporting LauraLynn

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Pictured L-R: James O’Connor (Managing Partner, Crowleys DFK), Claire Shiels (Corporate Fundraiser, LauraLynn) and Natalie Kelly (Partner, Crowleys DFK)

In early 2020, we announced LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice as our Charity Partner. Not long after, members of our CSR Team visited the hospice and came back inspired and full of ideas on how we could help raise funds and awareness for this amazing charity… but then everything changed.

With all our fundraising plans impossible due to the lockdown reality we were all in, we had to find new ways to support LauraLynn and the children and families that relied on them.

This kickstarted our virtual fundraising initiatives. From our Virtual Walk Across the US and Canada, Wear Your Christmas Face Mask and Christmas Gifting campaigns, a lot (!) of Step Challenges, our Donate as your Earn campaign and various raffles, the employees at Crowleys DFK dug deep and put their hearts into each and every campaign.

“It has been a pleasure to be involved with our Firm’s campaigns. Knowing how difficult the last few years would have been on fundraising for LauraLynn, it has been an honour to help out where I can.”

Elaine Murphy, Assistant Manager, Audit and Assurance

 “I feel very proud of the Firm’s fundraising initiatives supporting LauraLynn over the last few years and being able to participate in these initiatives means a lot to me personally knowing that the funds raised are making a difference to the children and their families.”

Paula McCann, Human Resources

While all these initiatives raised some vital funds for the Charity during what was a very challenging few years, we are in no doubt that we got a lot more back from the partnership. Not only were we continually inspired and moved by our online talks with the incredible staff and care givers at LauraLynn, but our initiatives also kept us connected during a time when we all had to be apart.

“I have enjoyed participating over the past few years as not only do you know you are helping a good cause, but it has given us the opportunity to interact with our colleagues during a time we were unable to meet face to face.”

Emma Dunne, Manager, Corporate Compliance

 “It has been a great way to connect with my colleagues, many of whom I hadn’t met in person in 2 years. Ultimately, we have all benefited hugely from both a mental & physical health perspective by getting involved with a fantastic and very deserving charity.”

Harry O’Sullivan, Partner, Audit & Assurance

Our final fundraising campaign, Week of Celebrating LauraLynn, took place in late November and pushed the total funds raised over the 3 years (of what initially meant to be a 1 year partnership) to €45,045.

“I knew very little about LauraLynn and their work before we began supporting them as our Charity Partner. The past three years has really made me aware of the incredible commitment and passion that volunteers give to so many worthwhile causes. LauraLynn are doing incredible work and it’s been fantastic to see so many of my work colleagues and friends take part in our initiatives.”

James O’Connor, Managing Partner

On 7th December 2022, Crowleys DFK returned to LauraLynn for another onsite visit. While some things had changed since our first visit (outdoor meeting pods, and the new Memorial Tree and Garden), the most important things did not…the care and dedication from each of the wonderful staff we met and the pure sense of peace and warmth coming from every corner of the hospice.

“As a Corporate Partner, LauraLynn could not have asked for more. The team at Crowleys DFK demonstrated creativity in staff and office fundraising initiatives, enthusiastically signed up for challenges and events, and helped us out with volunteering. They were invested in understanding the work we do with children and families, and helping raise awareness of LauraLynn, its services and supports, and its funding needs. Crowleys DFK is a company and a team that is committed to making an impact in its charity work, and undertakes it with energy, commitment and heart. Working with them over the past 3 years has been a pleasure, and their contribution has made a big difference for the children and families in our care.”

Claire Shiels, Corporate Fundraiser, LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice.

It has been an honour and pleasure to have supported LauraLynn for the last 3 years. LauraLynn has and will always remain very close to all our hearts.

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Crowleys DFK Reaccredited with The KeepWell Mark

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Pictured L-R: James O’Connor (Managing Partner, Crowleys DFK), Paula McCann (Project Lead for the KeepWell Mark, Crowleys DFK), Sophie Crosbie (Regional Director, Ibec) & Sophie Moran (Programme Manager of The KeepWell Mark, Ibec)

We are delighted to announce that we have been reaccredited with the prestigious Ibec KeepWell MarkTM; an evidence-based accreditation and award that recognises Irish employers for investing in workplace health and wellbeing.

In 2020, Crowleys DFK became the first indigenous accountancy firm to be accredited with The KeepWell MarkTM. The robust accreditation process for the award enabled us to benchmark our workplace wellbeing activity on eight key areas – leadership, absence management, smoke free, physical activity, health and safety, mental health, healthy eating and intoxicants – and provided us with a roadmap to further success and continuous improvement.

Commenting on our reaccreditation, Paula McCann, Project Lead for The KeepWell MarkTM said:

“It’s fantastic to be reaccredited with The KeepWell MarkTM. Our reaccreditation journey was made easier thanks to our leadership team, who lead by example in their continued support for promoting and prioritising wellbeing across the firm.”

Since 2020, we built on our already strong commitment workplace wellbeing practices and introduced a Hybrid Working Policy, Flexible Working Hours, Right to Disconnect Policy, and Early Finish Friday Initiative. Annual Employee Workplace Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Training was added to our annual programme of health and wellbeing initiatives and events.

Earlier this year we also launched our Learning & Development Programme. The aim of the programme is to create a culture and environment for employees and the firm to learn and grow. It supports our revised Competency and Career Paths Development Framework which was launched at the same time. By knowing the current and future capability needs of the firm, we can create a learning culture that ensures employees have the knowledge, skills and experience to fulfil individual and organisational needs and ambitions.

To ensure the validity of our practices, The KeepWell MarkTM Assessor conducted a thorough audit of our wellbeing practices, spoke with key stakeholders across the firm and held focus groups with a sample group of employees and management.

The Assessor noted:

“A consistent theme from the focus group was that staff regard Crowleys DFK as a good employer and acknowledge the efforts the company is making in promoting wellbeing and facilitating a work life balance. Attaining reaccreditation demonstrates Crowleys DFK’s ongoing commitment to promoting and embedding a wellbeing ethos, and that the company is forward-thinking in cascading wellbeing practices.”

Sophie Moran, Programme Manager of The KeepWell MarkTM in Ibec commented:

“We’re delighted to once again award Crowleys DFK with The KeepWell MarkTM accreditation. The consistent effort they have made in supporting the health and wellbeing of their employees is to be highly commended, and we hope their commitment and efforts will inspire many other organisations to approach wellbeing as a strategic priority both now and in the future.”

Our wellbeing journey does not end with reaccreditation. Our focus now turns to working towards the next stage of our KeepWell MarkTM journey. We will continue to make improvements in all areas of wellbeing, following best practices and using feedback from our employees.

If you are interested in working with a firm that has a core focus on wellbeing, please check out our careers.

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Learning to be a Sustainable Leader | Irish Times Feature

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Sustainable Leader

Natalie Kelly, Partner in our Audit & Assurance Department, featured in The Irish Times today discussing our sustainability initiatives.

You can read it here.
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