Professional Diploma – Regulation in the SME Sector

Course Overview

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent an important part of the Irish economy. SMEs are recognised as agents of change and innovation, and important vehicles for employment creation and economic growth. The sector accounts for over 99% of active enterprises in Ireland and 65% (over one million) of total employees (increases to 68.4% when proprietors and family members engaged in the SME are included).

The impact of regulation on these firms is important to understand as regulatory conditions- financial, legal and taxation – are among the most important factors affecting SMEs and entrepreneurship. Due to economies of scale, SMEs usually face bigger challenges than large firms in screening the regulatory environment. In recent years, important progress has been made to reduce the red tape for businesses but despite this the complexity of regulatory procedures remains a major headache for SMEs.

If you would like to discuss this course in further detail please contact Dr Val Corbett, Head of Programmes, at val.corbett@lawschool.ie.

Course Objectives

This 12-week blended professional diploma will focus on the main commercial law, employment law, taxation and accounting issues that face SMEs. Through gaining an understanding of the regulatory requirements for SMEs participants will be able to better anticipate the possible impact of those on their business decisions and ensure that their internal practices reflect those requirements.

From taxation to new legal regulations such as the GDPR, the regulatory landscape is constantly shifting and can be complex. Company law effects every aspect of small business; consumer law affects interactions with clients and customers, while employment law affects the relationship with employees.

Who Should Attend?

The programme is ideally suited for those from a non-law background working in the SME sector or who are considering establishing a business as entrepreneurs. The programme is also suited for those with a general interest in the field.

Lecturer Profiles

Dr Maura Kelly is the course leader for the diploma. Maura has a wide range of experience in the academic and commercial legal environment. She has been lecturing for over 20 years both in the public and private university sector. Her main areas of expertise are Constitutional Law, Company Law and EU law. She holds a PhD in the area of property rights.

Mr Dave O’Donoghue is the Managing Director of AccountancySchool.ie where he lectures at all levels of Auditing and Financial Reporting. Dave is currently a member of ACCA Ireland committee and he is also a Director of Chartered Grind School which prepares students to sit the exams of ACA Ireland. He spent a number of years working in Industry and Practice before he moved into full time education.

Dr Val Corbett is the Head of Programmes at LawSchool.ie. His principal research and teaching experience are in the area of employment law, the law of contract, and the law of torts. He also teaches Corporate and Business Law (F4) on the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) course at AccountancySchool.ie and Company and Business Law for Trinity College Dublin Business School. He is also co-author of Employment Law in Ireland (Clarus Press, Dublin 2009), the second edition of which is due for publication in 2020.

Programme Delivery – Online

This course will be delivered on a weekly basis (6.30pm to 9.30pm) over 12 weeks. The course will be delivered online which will be streamed live and recorded. All seminar materials and notes will be provided to learners through our online portal.