Dr Eimear McGeown lectures in financial reporting and entrepreneurial finance at UCC's Department of Accounting and Finance. She completed her PhD in 2023 on the determinants of the demand and supply of non-bank debt finance to the SME sector in Ireland and its impact on SME firm performance. She is actively publishing and disseminating her research. Other research interests include green finance for SME firms and entrepreneurial education. Prior to academia, Dr McGeown developed extensive industry expertise as a Chartered Accountant with a Big Four firm, specialising in Audit and Corporate Finance. Her professional background includes significant banking sector experience, where she gained valuable insights into financial institutions and lending practices. She is also an Associate of the Institute of Bankers. This combination of professional experience informs both her research in SME finance and her teaching approach, particularly in bridging theoretical concepts with practical applications.

Dr McGeown’s main research interests lie in financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Her PhD examined the role of non-bank debt finance in the SME finance ecosystem. It explored both the demand and supply sides of non-bank debt finance, its impact on funding gaps, and whether the use of non-bank debt affects firm performance. This topic has become increasingly important as banks continue to restructure, contract, and consolidate. This trend is particularly pronounced in Ireland, where the banking market is highly concentrated. Two of her research papers have received the highly prestigious Best Paper Award from the ISBE (Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship) conference and were nominated for the President’s Award for Best Paper by an Early Career Researcher. ISBE is a peer-reviewed international conference attended by leading scholars in the entrepreneurial finance field. “Is Non-Bank Finance Closing SME Funding Gaps?” (McGeown E., Power B., & Shinnick E.) won the Best Paper Award in the entrepreneurial finance track at the 2021 ISBE conference in Cardiff. It was also nominated for the President’s Award for Best Paper by an Early Career Researcher. “Non-Bank Debt and SME Performance?” (McGeown E., Power B., & Shinnick E.) received the Best Paper Award in the entrepreneurial finance track at the 2022 ISBE conference in York. It was also nominated for the President’s Award for Best Paper by an Early Career Researcher.

At both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, Dr McGeown delivers modules across accounting and finance while supervising research projects in these disciplines. Her integrated teaching approach emphasises the interconnections between finance, accounting and economics. This interdisciplinary perspective is enriched by her research in SME finance, academic qualifications spanning accounting, finance, and economics, professional accounting qualification, and extensive industry experience. Her diverse background enables her to bridge theoretical frameworks with practical applications, enhancing students' understanding of complex financial concepts and their real-world implications. Please see below for a list of recently taught modules: Financial Accounting: AC1102 Introduction to Financial Accounting AC1113 Principles of Accounting AC6002 Introduction to Accounting Information Financial Reporting: AC2100 International Financial Accounting AC4407 Financial Reporting 1 AC5017 International Financial Reporting Standards AC6414 Consolidated Financial Statements Finance: AC3021 Cases in Corporate Finance AC4404 Entrepreneurial Finance