AAB Acquires two Cork-based Accountancy Firms

AAB has acquired two Cork-based accountancy firms, Old Quarter Chartered Accountants and O’Brien Crowley Chartered Accountants. This is AAB’s seventh and eighth investments in Ireland since January 2025, underlining the group’s commitment to continued expansion in the Irish market.

Old Quarter Chartered Accountants employs 26 employees, including partners Mark O’Keefe, Joe Foley and Diarmuid Kelleher. The firms provide audit, tax, business advisory, payroll and company secretarial. Founded in 2022, it operates from offices in Cork and Kerry and has a growing SME client base.

O’Brien Crowley Chartered Accountants, led by partner Killian O’Brien, has been providing professional services to businesses across Ireland since 1985. The firm has employs 13 people and offers a full suite of services including financial reporting, audit, tax, advisory and payroll.

Both firms will relocate to AAB’s new 23,000 sq-ft office space at Barrack Square, Ballincollig, Cork and will in time, rebrand as AAB.

Following the completion of these two acquisitions, AAB, which is backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, will employ almost 300 people in Ireland and more than 1,500 people across 17 locations.

Colm Duggan, Head of Professional Services at AAB in Ireland, said: “Securing these two deals is a clear signal of our continued momentum in the Irish market. We’re building scale at pace, but importantly, we’re doing it in a way that strengthens the quality of our client relationships and the depth of our expertise. AAB is the partner of choice for Irish accountancy firms looking to grow and to enhance their offering to clients, bringing together the right people, insight and ambition to deliver real value for clients. We will continue to grow across Ireland and the UK both organically and by acquisition.”

Mark O’Keefe, of Old Quarter Chartered Accountants said: “Joining the AAB group allows our exceptional people to maintain the strong client relationships that are our core strength, while providing our clients with access to broader expertise, greater resources and international reach. Importantly for us, our clients will continue to work with the same trusted team they know today.”

Killian O’Brien of O’Brien Crowley Chartered Accountants said:“For over 40 years, O’Brien Crowley has been a trusted provider of professional services to our clients. Joining AAB will allow us to access the technological capabilities and expertise which comes with an international platform, providing opportunities for our clients and our people.”