Who I Help

Family-owned and owner-managed businesses. Construction. Wholesale and retail. Professional services. Credit unions.

How I Help

Accounting and compliance. Business advisory. Growth and succession planning. Financing and risk management. Buying and selling businesses. Trusted, independent counsel.

“My role is not simply to agree with clients, but to help them make the best decisions for their business and their future.”

John O’Shea is a Partner at AAB, based in Carlow, working primarily with family-owned and owner-managed businesses across sectors including construction, wholesale, retail, professional services and the credit union movement. While accounting and compliance remain important, John has always believed his real value lies in helping clients see the bigger picture: understanding how businesses work, identifying opportunities for growth and acting as a trusted sounding board when difficult decisions need to be made. Many of his client relationships have lasted decades, something he remains particularly proud of.

John started his career as a trainee accountant, studying at night while working full-time to qualify. He later established his own practice before joining forces with long-time colleague and friend Padraic Lalor, and together they grew the business over many years through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, building one of the leading accountancy and advisory firms in the South East. Today, as part of AAB, John is excited about the opportunities this creates for clients, for the people he works with, and for the continued growth of the business.

Sectors/Support

Construction. Wholesale & Retail. Professional Services. Credit Unions. Family-Owned Businesses.

More Than Just Numbers

People often think accountants spend their days looking backwards at the numbers. In reality, much of my time is spent looking ahead with clients. I help them make decisions about buying or selling businesses, raising finance, improving profitability, managing risk and planning for the future. Sometimes the most valuable thing I can provide is an independent perspective from someone who has seen similar situations many times before.

I believe in being honest and straightforward. Clients deserve clear advice and, at times, that means having difficult conversations. My role is not simply to agree with clients, but to help them make the best decisions for their business and their future, even when that advice isn’t always what they want to hear in the moment.

Helping Clients Realise Their Potential

One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing people achieve more than they thought possible. Often, I can see opportunities that business owners can take advantage of. With experience comes perspective, and I enjoy encouraging clients to step outside their comfort zone when the time is right.

Many clients have told me that their business or personal success would not have happened without the guidance and support we provided along the way. Hearing that is incredibly gratifying. No two businesses are the same, but the challenges are often similar. Whether it is managing growth, dealing with financing issues, planning for succession, or overcoming a difficult trading period, I enjoy helping clients find practical solutions and move forward with confidence.

My Journey

My own business journey helps me relate to the challenges faced by the people I advise. I started my career as a trainee accountant, studying at night while working full-time to qualify. Later, I established my own practice before joining forces with my long-time colleague and friend, Padraic Lalor. Together, we grew our business over many years through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions, creating one of the leading accountancy and advisory firms in the South East.

Today, as part of AAB, I am excited about the opportunities this creates for our clients, our people and the continued growth of the business. Having built something from the ground up myself, I understand first-hand what it takes to grow a business, and that experience shapes every piece of advice I give.

Relationships That Last

Over the years, many clients have become good friends. I genuinely enjoy getting to know people, understanding their ambitions and helping them overcome challenges. Every business has a story, and I still get great satisfaction from playing a small part in helping clients write the next chapter of theirs.