Looking back to the Irish Accountancy Awards 2026, Allianz Ireland has been named Best Finance Collaboration winner, recognised for seamless interdepartmental collaboration that positions finance as an enabling function driving measurable organisational impact across multiple business disciplines.

Allianz Ireland's achievement demonstrates how finance functions, when strategically positioned and operationally integrated, become catalysts for cross-functional excellence and organisational alignment. The integration of eight core functions, Operations, Underwriting, Claims, IT, Sales, HR, Marketing, and Risk, through an agile squad model represents sophisticated organisational design addressing the complexity of coordinating diverse business disciplines toward unified objectives.

The agile squad model reflects contemporary organisational thinking that traditional hierarchical structures often create silos preventing cross-functional collaboration. By embedding finance expertise within agile teams spanning multiple functions, Allianz Ireland enables financial discipline and strategic insight to inform decision-making across the entire organisation rather than concentrating finance perspectives in a standalone function.

This approach delivers multiple benefits. Financial insights embedded within operational teams enable faster decision-making informed by commercial understanding. Cross-functional collaboration surfaces how financial discipline enables business strategy rather than constraining it. Shared ownership of financial outcomes across functions builds accountability and engagement. The model demonstrates that finance excellence and cross-functional collaboration are complementary rather than competing priorities.

Judges commended Allianz Ireland's methodology: "Our judges were truly impressed by Allianz Ireland's seamless interdepartmental collaboration, which stands as a prime example of finance-enabled teamwork at scale. The integration of eight core functions, Operations, Underwriting, Claims, IT, Sales, HR, Marketing, and Risk, through the agile squad model is a standout approach, driving measurable impact across the organisation. The submission clearly showcases how strategic financial insights and collaboration have not only delivered exceptional results but also contributed significantly to the organisation's overall success. This entry demonstrates a remarkable blend of structure, innovation, and cross-functional engagement."

Allianz Ireland's achievement reflects evolving standards within the Irish Accountancy Awards, where Best Finance Collaboration excellence extends beyond internal finance team coordination to encompass how finance functions enable and drive broader organisational collaboration and strategic alignment. The organisation's success in integrating eight core functions illustrates how well-designed financial frameworks, combined with embedded finance expertise and commitment to collaborative culture, drive measurable business impact.

The measurable results referenced in the submission provide evidence that this collaborative model delivers tangible outcomes, not merely organisational restructuring. This evidence-based validation is essential in demonstrating that structural innovation translates into business value.

This recognition establishes a benchmark for finance collaboration excellence as the profession and the Irish Accountancy Awards look ahead to the 2027 awards cycle, where finance functions will continue advancing cross-functional integration, agile collaboration models, and their role as strategic enablers of organisational success.

For past winners, category details, and updates, visit the official Irish Accountancy Awards website and subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive insights and coverage from Ireland's accounting sector.