Fractional CFO services in Ireland

Enterprise Ireland equity and grants

Enterprise Ireland is the state agency for indigenous Irish companies. Operates a High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) programme that combines equity investment (typically €100k–€500k+ at seed) and matched grants. The single largest single source of state-backed startup capital in Ireland.

Irish R&D tax credit

Irish R&D tax credit refunds 30% of qualifying R&D expenditure (rate increased from 25% to 30% effective 2024). Refundable in cash for SMEs over three instalments. Combined with the 12.5% headline corporation tax rate, makes Ireland one of the most tax-efficient European locations for R&D-intensive companies.

Knowledge Development Box

Ireland's KDB taxes qualifying IP-derived income at an effective 6.25% rate (half the standard rate) for income generated from patented inventions and copyrighted software developed in Ireland. Niche but materially beneficial for software and life-science companies with substantial Irish R&D.

Halo Business Angel Network

Halo Business Angel Network is Ireland's main angel investor network, syndicating Irish angel investment across the country. Most structured Irish angel rounds either feature HBAN-introduced investors or compete with HBAN-syndicated capital.

Future Growth Loan Scheme

Government-backed loan scheme operated by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland through participating commercial banks. Provides longer-tenor unsecured loans to SMEs at favourable rates. Used to fund growth, working capital and capex without dilution.

EI competitive grant calls

Enterprise Ireland runs additional grant programmes: Innovation Voucher (€5k for engaging a third-level research partner), Innovation Partnership grants, Agile Innovation grants and competitive sector-specific calls. Stacks cleanly with the R&D credit and the HPSU programme.

KEEP (Key Employee Engagement Programme)

Ireland's tax-advantaged share option scheme for SMEs. Options taxed at capital gains (33%) rather than employment income on exercise and sale. KEEP carries strict eligibility criteria (company size, trading activity, employee role) and capped grant values - narrower than the UK EMI and used selectively where the company qualifies.

Unapproved share options

The default share option scheme for Irish companies that do not qualify for KEEP. Gains taxed as employment income on exercise at the marginal rate (potentially 52% including USC and PRSI), then capital gains on subsequent appreciation. The bulk of Irish startup option grants run under this regime.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Increasingly used at later-stage Irish startups, particularly those with US investors. Taxed as employment income at vesting at the marginal rate. Double-trigger structures (vesting plus liquidity event) used by unicorn-stage private companies to avoid taxing employees on illiquid shares.

Approved profit-sharing schemes

Approved Profit-Sharing Schemes (APSS) and Save As You Earn schemes (SAYE) provide tax-efficient broad-based participation in company shares. Used selectively by larger Irish employers; less relevant to early-stage venture-backed companies but a tool to know about at scale.

Option valuation expectations

Irish companies typically peg KEEP and unapproved option strike values to the price of the most recent priced round. Revenue can challenge valuations on KEEP grants - independent valuations are common practice for material grant programmes.

Reporting and filings

Irish equity scheme returns (Form RSS1 for share schemes, KEEP1 for KEEP grants, and ESS1 for unapproved options) are due annually. Late filings carry penalties and, in the case of KEEP, can jeopardise the scheme's tax-advantaged status.

Accounting

• •Xero - universal Irish default; deep integration with Irish payroll and banking tools.
• •Sage 50 - common at established SMEs and through some Irish accounting firms.
• •Surf Accounts - Irish-built alternative, popular with mid-sized SMEs.

Payroll

• •BrightPay - Irish-built; the default for Irish startups and SMEs.
• •Thesaurus Payroll Manager - alternative from the same vendor.
• •Sage Payroll - for companies on the broader Sage stack.
• •Deel or Remote - for hiring contractors and staff outside Ireland.

Business banking

• •Revolut Business - the de facto Irish startup banking default.
• •AIB or Bank of Ireland - for treasury, FX and traditional debt facilities.
• •Wise Business - for multi-currency operations.
• •Mercury - for founders with a US C-corp alongside the Irish entity.

Cap table & equity admin

• •Vestd - covers KEEP and unapproved options for Irish companies.
• •Ledgy - for cross-border cap tables and multi-jurisdiction equity admin.
• •Carta - for Irish companies with US investors or a US parent.

Expenses & corporate cards

• •Pleo - European default; clean Xero integration.
• •Revolut Business cards - adequate for early-stage teams already on Revolut.
• •Spendesk - alternative with stronger approval workflows.