The Icon Accounting Dads Tell All!

If your child described what you do at Icon Accounting, what would they say?
“Having fun - She wants to work for Icon ever since she heard we do an annual Icon treasure hunt.”
(Safe to say we’ve got a future accountant in the making.)

Your top financial tip for a new or soon-to-be dad?
“Make sure you budget for the month – nappies are not cheap!”

One financial lesson you're trying to teach your kids early on?
“The value of money. It definitely doesn’t grow on trees”

One parenting purchase you’ll never regret?
“An annual subscription to National Geographic Kids. She loves it – it encourages her to read more and not be at a screen for hours on end.”

How would you explain a pension to your child?
“It’s saving for your future so you’ve money when you can’t work anymore.”

Most “dad” purchase?
“A soup maker.”

If your child described what you do at Icon Accounting, what would they say?
“The boss.”

Top financial tip for new dads?
“Get in as many nights out with the lads and rounds of golf as you can!”

Financial lesson for the kids?
“Save rather than spend – though it usually falls on deaf ears.”

What purchase as a parent do you not regret?
“Apple AirPods.”

How would you explain a pension?
“A way of saving money for when you stop working.”

Most dad-esque purchase?
“A ride-on lawnmower.”

If your child described what you do at Icon Accounting, what would they say?
“Talking to loads of people and stuff on the laptop.”

Financial tip for new dads?
“Invest in something that's a long term play incrementally for the child - by the time baby is an adult, they could be sitting on a gold mine. 

Plus, people always struggle for presents around birthdays and Christmas in the early years so invest it on their behalf.”

Lesson you're passing on?
” Rich Dad Poor Dad - read it before you're a teenager.”

Parenting investment you’re proud of?
“Noise cancelling headphones.”

How do you explain a pension to your kids?
“A savings pot that grows and reduces your tax.”

Most “dad” purchase?
“I can't think of any off the cuff - but, I do love a middle aisle purchase that I have absolutely no requirement for.”

How would your child describe what you do at Icon?
“Talks to people on the phone all day. Fair point. That’s basically the job.”

Financial tip for new dads?
“Invest and Compromise - Start investing in your child before they arrive. Open a savings account, stick €50 in a month, by the time they’re born, you’ll have €400. That’s a decent head start for nappies, formula, and whatever else hits you in month one. And keep going with it. Crèche fees, school costs, college down the line, it comes fast.

Also, don’t buy a second-hand car seat from 2003. Some things you can cut corners on, but not child safety. That said, don’t go spending thousands doing up a perfect nursery either. Your newborn will literally sleep in a picnic basket next to your bed for the first 4–5 months. Start small, build slow, save more.”

One financial value you're teaching the kids?
“Objects hold value. Teaching kids to respect their books and toys early on leads to lifelong responsibility.”

Best parenting purchase?
“A proper buggy. If you're going to push it through playgrounds, airports, down the beach, and through forests, it needs to survive all of them.”

How would you explain a pension?
“Your retirement present. From you, to you.”

Your most “dad” buy?
“Laceless Skechers. If you haven’t worn them, don’t judge me.”