Michelle O’Donoghue

Governance, Risk and Assurance Partner

+353 90 6480600
LinkedIn
A woman with short, reddish-brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a navy blue blouse and a gold chain necklace. The background is softly blurred in blue and grey tones.

Michelle heads up our Governance, Risk and Assurance (GRA) Department where she has responsibility for the delivery of internal audit, risk management, compliance and assurance work to a large portfolio of clients. These clients operate primarily in the Financial Services and Charity / Not For Profit Sectors.

Michelle is a regular speaker at our annual Credit Union conference. She provides training in the areas of risk management and governance and has lectured on a wide range of topics including internal audit, risk management, effective board reporting and governance.

Michelle joined RBK in 2015 having previously worked in the Dublin office of Evelyn Partners. Michelle is a fellow member of Chartered Accountants Ireland and also holds a Diploma in IFRS and a Certificate in FRS 102.

Services

Governance, Risk & Assurance Internal Audit Compliance Audit & Support Risk Management Corporate Governance

Sectors

Credit Unions Charities & NFP

Related Posts

Webinar RBK Annual Credit Union Seminar – May 2026

Take a look back at RBK’s Annual Credit Union Seminar 2026, held on 28 May at The Johnstown Estate. The event brought together Credit Union professionals from across Ireland to discuss the latest developments, challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Article Our CU Seminar Speaker Lineup holding the RBK Credit Union Benchmarking Report Booklet RBK Publish Credit Union Benchmarking Report 2026

Credit Unions have delivered another year of measurable financial progress, with dividend payments reaching their highest level in recent years and loan book growth continuing for the fourth consecutive year, according to RBK’s 14th Annual Credit Union Benchmarking Report. The report summarises the findings of a survey of Credit Unions undertaken in February/March 2026.

Article Three people are gathered around a table with laptops. Two young men are seated and typing whilst a woman stands beside them, smiling. Large windows in the background show trees with autumn foliage. Managing AI Risks in Credit Unions: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the financial services landscape, and credit unions are no exception. Its uses, such as chatbots, streamlining credit underwriting processes and analytics to understand member behaviours, can all lead to opportunities for growth and efficiency.

Article Modern office lobby with stylish seating and plants in the foreground, glass walls revealing a meeting room with chairs, a table, and a TV screen in the background. Bright natural light enters through large windows. Why Credit Unions Should Develop an ESG Policy and Strategy

At the RBK Annual Credit Union Seminar held last month, we heard from Gareth Fitzpatrick around the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations in the credit union sector.

Article Modern office lobby with stylish seating and plants in the foreground, glass walls revealing a meeting room with chairs, a table, and a TV screen in the background. Bright natural light enters through large windows. Why Credit Unions Must Embrace the European Accessibility Act—And How to Do It Right

This article explores what the EAA means for credit unions, the timeframe for implementation, the consequences of non-compliance, and the strategic benefits of early and meaningful adoption.

Webinar RBK Annual Credit Union Seminar – May 2025
General news A hand holds a mobile phone showing an incoming call from “Unknown.” Text on a purple background reads: “Fraud Awareness Week. Beat the Fraudsters. RBK GRA.”. Fraud Awareness Week

31 March 2026

Article Modern office lobby with stylish seating and plants in the foreground, glass walls revealing a meeting room with chairs, a table, and a TV screen in the background. Bright natural light enters through large windows. Fraud Awareness Week

International Fraud Awareness Week runs this week from 17 to 23 November. During this week, many organisations come together to try and raise awareness around the causes of fraud and to improve education around how to prevent fraud.

Article A blurred person walks down a modern office corridor with wooden doors. The wall on the right has large green RBK letters above a black chair and a glass vase with a colourful flower arrangement. The Credit Union (Amendment) Act 2023 – Almost a Year On

There was much fanfare when The Credit Union (Amendment) Act was commenced in December 2023. This Act itself is the culmination of several years of work within the sector to bring a number of regulatory changes for Credit Unions. Key stakeholders involved include Government, the Regulator, the Credit Union Advisory Committee, Representative Bodies and Credit Unions themselves.

Article Green tree branches with fresh spring leaves partially obscure the view of a modern glass office block in the background on a bright, sunny day. Reducing Risk for Credit Unions with HR Compliance

Keeping up with frequently changing employment laws can be overwhelming, with costly consequences for those that fall out of compliance. Maintaining an efficient and compliant human resources (HR) function is more important than ever. Being HR compliant will align your organisation with regulatory standards, enhance employee engagement, and manage risk.

Webinar A woman works at a computer in a modern office reception area with wooden floors, potted plants, and large glass meeting rooms in the background. RBK Credit Union Seminar 2024
Article Close-up of modern pendant lights hanging from the ceiling with a blurred office or lobby space in the background, featuring glass walls, greenery, and contemporary furniture. Resilience and Renewal: Credit Unions post strong performance and boost dividends amid economic pressures

Credit Unions are demonstrating improved efficiency with declining wages-to-income ratios and stronger loan book growth, according to RBK’s 13th Annual Credit Union Benchmarking report. The report, summarises the findings of a survey of Credit Unions undertaken in March/April 2025.

Article A woman holding a tablet with a recycling symbol stands outdoors. Next to her, text on a purple background reads: RBK Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) RBK Governance, Risk & Assurance. Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) replaces the EU’s legacy ESG reporting program – the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) and raises the bar for breath and robustness in sustainability reporting, covering categories beyond just carbon, including pollution, water, waste and biodiversity.

Hub Content: RBK Annual Credit Union Seminar 2026

Welcome to our Hub for the Credit Union Seminar 2026. Take a look back at the content surrounding RBK’s Annual Credit Union Seminar 2026, held on 28 May at The Johnstown Estate.

RBK Credit Union Benchmarking Report 2026

This report summarises the findings of a survey of Credit Unions conducted in February/March 2026. It reflects responses from 72 Credit Unions and financial data from 85 published annual reports. This represents €14.43b or 64% of the total asset size of the Credit Union movement in the State.

Practical Strategies – Davy Update

At RBK’s Credit Union Seminar 2026, Kevin Walsh, Director – Head of Credit Union Consultancy Services with Davy discussed how Credit Unions can address the challenges facing them from an Asset Liability Management (ALM) perspective and outline Davy’s views on current investment trends.

Strategic Planning: From Vision to Execution

At RBK’s Credit Union Seminar 2026, Michelle O’Donoghue, Partner, RBK, explored how to create a practical and deliverable strategic plan with tips for execution that help you stay aligned and committed to delivery. 

Credit Union Regulatory Update 2026

At RBK’s Credit Union Seminar 2026, Deirdre Ward and Ross Murphy Sweeney presented a Regulatory Update on Digital Resilience & Consumer Protection in an Evolving Regulatory Environment – An exploration of current regulatory trends which will be shaping the future of the Credit Union sector.

Effectively Managing Underperformance

At RBK’s Credit Union Seminar 2026, Yvonne Clarke, Head of HR Solutions, RBK, examined the shift from general performance management to managing underperformance, practical tools for managers, key legal and WRC risks in Ireland, and how to protect Credit Unions while supporting employees.

Credit Union Benchmarking Results Analysis 2026

At RBK’s Credit Union Seminar 2026, Ronan Kilbane, Partner, RBK, shared his analysis of RBK’s Credit Union Benchmarking Results 2026.

Credit Union Benchmarking Report 2025

Credit Unions continue to maintain their strong reputation within the financial services sector. The majority of this year’s survey respondents reported robust loan book growth, particularly in home improvement and car loans. We are seeing increased interest in house and commercial lending, though this remains a relatively minor component of most portfolios and there is scope for further growth in this area.

RBK Credit Union Benchmarking Survey Results 2025

Credit Unions continue to maintain their strong reputation within the financial services sector. The majority of this year’s survey respondents reported robust loan book growth, particularly in home improvement and car loans.

Credit Union Benchmarking Results 2025 – RBK Analysis

Annual Credit Union Benchmarking Results.

ESG/Sustainability and Green Reporting

ESG/Sustainability and Green Reporting – overview.

Strengthening Resilience: Fraud, Outsourcing & Liquidity for Sustainable Growth

Strengthening Resilience: Managing Fraud, Outsourcing Risks and Liquidity Pressures for Sustainable Growth.

Winning the Race – Enhancing Compensation, Benefits & Financial Well-Being

Winning the Race – Enhancing Compensation, Benefits & Financial Well-Being in the Modern Workforce.

AI: Streamline Customer Experience with AI while safeguarding IT and personal data

Providers and Deployers of High Risk AI Systems that are subject to EU rules on financial institutions can comply with their obligations vis-à-vis High Risk AI Systems by complying with specific requirements under financial services law.

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