LYNN HONER

All about the people

“The strength of my role lies in staying close to my clients. We speak regularly so I stay close to what’s going on. We work through issues together, whether that is a bookkeeping query, a cashflow concern, or a wider commercial decision. 

Many of the businesses I support are owner-managed. That requires sensitivity as well as technical insight. You have to meet people where they are. They may not have a finance background, so part of my job is translating what the numbers are saying and helping them feel confident about the decisions they are making. 

Being accessible and proactive matters to me. That consistency builds trust over time.” 

Retaining the acquirer is the biggest compliment

“One of the most significant transactions I have supported was the sale of an Irish SME to a US acquirer. It involved managing different time zones, responding to detailed due diligence queries, and ensuring the information flow remained steady throughout. I stayed close to the process from start to finish so the client felt supported at every stage. 

For me, it is never just about completing the transaction. It is about building confidence on both sides. The buyers need clear numbers and reassurance, and the sellers need to feel secure in the process. In this case, the acquiring party retained our services, which speaks to the strength of the relationships built during the deal.” 

A supportive culture

“My career has included moments that required resilience. Returning to practice after stepping away was made significantly easier because of the supportive culture around me.  

Culture matters. I firmly believe that when people feel supported, they do their best work.  

They know they can always reach out to me if they need support. That’s really important to me.” 

Practical expertise, commercial mindset

“My grounding is in accounts preparation, so I really understand where the numbers have come from. There is a significant difference between receiving a trial balance and building one. When you create it yourself, you understand the numbers behind it. 

That practical experience enables me to give advice based on the operational realities of business, particularly SMEs.  

I see myself as an extension of my clients’ teams. I am there to provide clarity, reassurance and practical guidance.  

The most rewarding aspect of my role is seeing businesses evolve over time. When you work with a company for years and witness their growth, increased employment and, in many cases, a successful exit, it is incredibly rewarding.” 

Looking ahead

“I have always enjoyed working with numbers. I am naturally drawn to problem-solving, but I am interested in how the efficiencies of AI merge with that approach. I really enjoy spending time with clients working through challenges and developing solutions so if I could spend more time with clients providing them with valuable advice, that would be an ‘AI win’ for me.”