Exam Expertise & Assessment Insight
Edel has extensive experience in student assessment and professional exams.
As part of her postgraduate diploma in Higher Education, her research focused on the impact of closed-book assessment on professional accountants. She later worked as an examiner for a professional accountancy body, where she wrote exam papers and corrected thousands of professional exam scripts.
This experience gives Edel a deep understanding of how exams are designed, assessed, and experienced by students - insight that underpins all of her work today.
Talent, Leadership & Coaching
In 2017, Edel moved into Talent and Leadership Development, joining EY where she held a senior leadership development role.
During this time, she trained as a personal leadership and executive coach and established an internal coaching programme supporting trainee accountants through their professional exams. She also coached lower and middle management professionals transitioning from graduate to management and senior management roles.
This work bridged performance, wellbeing, and leadership development within demanding professional environments.
Specific Experience in Coaching
Qualifications & Accreditations
Approach & Philosophy
Edel’s approach is calm, practical, and psychologically informed. She works collaboratively, supporting people to think clearly, build confidence, and navigate challenge without unnecessary overwhelm.
She is particularly passionate about creating support structures that allow people to perform well professionally while remaining grounded and well personally.
I attended virtual study coaching sessions with Edel this year. I was sitting part 3 tax exams with the Irish Tax Institute and was really struggling to study effectively and efficiently. After sessions with Edel, I had a much clearer view on how to succeed with these exams. Edel worked with me to figure out what study methods worked best for me. I found that her sessions were so effective once I implemented her suggestions between sessions as I was then able to discuss with her what did and/or did not work for me. Edel is a highly motivating person and she changed my perspective from thinking that I was never going to pass these exams to believing I could achieve anything.
- Mairead Clifford
I worked with Edel to prepare for professional accounting exams. This was a good experience. Edel is very pleasant to talk to. We went over some areas which involved study frequency and recall methods. I found Edel’s techniques very helpful. To get the most out of every session you really need to implement her advice and do regular sessions. It also involves looking at your own strengths and weaknesses and using the sessions to fix any problem areas that you might need advice on. It was great to get an examiners perspective and made me think more about approach and layout. Overall I would recommend Edel
- Gillian Lee
I recently had a mentoring session with Edel through the Network Ireland Mentoring for Success programme. I was struck by Edel's expertise and her generosity in sharing her knowledge and resources. Edel's coaching skills also shone through, as she was fully present and asked powerful questions during the session. This gave me the space to create a meaningful plan for my upcoming studies. I would highly recommend Edel as a mentor for anyone returning to education.
- Marina Branigan
I started with Edel a few months ago, due to poor performance in exams. Over the sessions that I have done with Edel, the strategies for both exam and mental management have been such a great help. What Edel provided has allowed me to easier navigate professional exam questions and manage my stress much better, in ways that I would have never considered. Would highly recommend Edel and thank you so much for your help.
- David
I went to edel for Coaching, I was really struggling with putting a routine together, and struggling with my focus and concentration on how to retain information. Edel worked with me on some really simple strategies and now I feel much more confident to proceed with my studies. I would highly recommend Edel. She’s excellent at what she does. Thanks again Edel, you were brilliant!
- Louise Dennison-OShaughnessy
Edel is an excellent exam and study coach. She has real empathy and gets to the root of the issue very quickly. We worked on changing my mindset and my study environment which really helped me. I would highly recommend Edel to support students going through tax and accounting exams.
- Lynn Graham
I would highly recommend working with Edel to anyone looking for support and guidance in managing the challenges of working and studying for professional exams. Edel’s expertise and experience in the industry, along with her deep understanding of professional exams, allow her to offer well-rounded advice, backed by a genuine care for her clients. When I found myself at a crossroads and uncertain about the next steps in my career, Edel offered the support and guidance I needed to move forward successfully. The tools and insights I gained from working with Edel are now invaluable, allowing me to apply them whenever I encounter challenging situations moving forward. Overall, I could not recommend Edel enough to anyone striving to achieve their goals.
- Nicola Coffey
Edel completed her module: Mastery Learning and Study Techniques for Success for a group of employees today and it was a great experience for all. Our employees got great hints and tips that they can now put into practice to help them achieve their qualifications. I would highly recommend Edel to any organisation looking for support in this area for their employees.
- Jane Barlow
Highly recommend Edel, great CV & interview advice which got me my new role! Edel’s knowledge and experience was so valuable to me in regards to finding a new role as a graduate accountant. Will definitely be back for my study tips and exam advice in the new year!
- Caitlin Purcell
I first went to Edel 6 months prior to my Chartered Accounting exams. Edel worked with me to highlight what my main concerns were & how to tackle them.
There was no pressure to do X amount of sessions. It was all up to me & how I was feeling. I went for about 1 a month and found that ideal time to apply practice the techniques I discussed with Edel in the previous sessions and reflect on how they worked in the following appointment.
Not only did Edel provide great advice but also a listening ear. I felt completely at ease and that I could completely trust her when discussing any of my concerns.
I found that I managed my exams a lot better having gone to Edel and would highly recommend.
- Lydia K
I worked with Edel in order to help reduce my stress levels during exam sittings. Edel was extremely helpful and showed me how to do breathing exercises in order to calm my mind when I began to feel anxious during the exam which really benefitted me on exam day. We also spoke about my goals and personal issues which could effect my exam performance. She provided me with very beneficial information and it was great to have an ear to listen and someone to trust. I would highly recommend Edel and would return to her for future help. Thanks Edel!
- eimear G
I got in touch with Edel following an unfortunate exam result which left me feeling deflated and lacking motivation. Edel was quick to respond and got the ball rolling with a coaching session. Before that I filled in a questionnaire which was really helpful in self-reflecting. The coaching session was brilliant! Edel was approachable, kind, and she really took the time to understand my thought process and where I was getting stuck in my study plan. She also helped me deal with negative thoughts gave great advice on how to bounce back from exam failure. I am really glad I did the coaching as it made a huge difference in my mindset and I was able to effectively manage my revision plan in a way that suited me. I highly recommend Edel's coaching to anyone!
- Anna Paul
I found working with Edel great. From our first session, I felt comfortable and was able to talk to her honestly. With a main focus on well being not only from an exam perspective but in general. Her guidance and knowledge helped me massively. I couldn't recommend her more as a coach. Richard.
- Richard Cassidy
Edel’s coaching and guidance had massive impact over the six months that I worked with her preparing for my accountacy exams. Edel went above and beyond to help me and remained in contact after sessions to check in. I couldn’t recommend Edel more to anyone who needs help with exam preparation/confidence. Edel made the exams a lot more manageable than what they were six months ago. Thank you so much Edel.
- Sarah Moynihan
I have worked with Edel Walsh Coaching and Consultancy for over 18 months for professional development and workplace wellbeing coaching. Her approach was very personalised to my needs and flexible, depending on the challenges/opportunities I needed to address.
Together we tackled lots of different areas, such as career progression, decision making, stress management, understanding my value, through working on my strengths, core values, addressing blind spots & limiting beliefs and untapped potential. Edel was a fantastic support, bringing new perspectives, strategies, and practical tools.
Overall, Edel’s expert perspective & support was a game-changer for me. I highly recommend Edel’s coaching services to anyone looking for unbiased, expert guidance to Unravel Your Potential.
Thank you so much!
Amanda (Ryan) Collins :)
- Amanda Ryan
I was delighted to have worked with Edel and used her coaching service in the past year. I always found Edel to be open, approachable and warm yet knowledgeable and professional. I found her coaching advice and techniques to be very effective and helpful and her coaching sessions were a great help to me. I would have no problem recommending Edel Walsh Coaching and Consultancy to students or to fellow professionals and business people.
- Maria McHugh
I was heading into my final semester in college and I wasn't performing well in exams. I was referred to Edel from a friend and I'm so glad I was because I have learnt so much especially around study techniques and study environments. I will keep trying to apply those study techniques for future exams and I will also definitely undertake more sessions with Edel down the line. I would strongly recommend Edel to anyone.
- Ciarán Hunt
I recently had a one to one session with Edel. I was at a crossroads in my career and unsure of how to proceed. Eden listened attentively to my concerns and set out clear guidelines for me to follow which ultimately helped me to make my decision. I would definitely book another session in the future.
- Aisling Fitzgerald
Let's Talk!
If you’d like to explore support for your firm, trainees, or your own professional development, you’re welcome to get in touch.or book an introductory call below.