Accumulated profits at Finucane’s firm near €1m

Accumulated profits at the media firm owned by Marian Finucane are rapidly hurtling towards the €1m mark after jumping €80,000 last year.

The figures lodged by Montrose Services Ltd with the Companies Office show that accumulated profits increased €80,432 from €853,106 to €933,448 in the 12 months to the end of October 31, 2014.

During the same period, the firm’s cash pile increased by just under €100,000 going from €294,840 to €394,444.

The rate of profit increased at the firm in 2014 in spite of Ms Finucane sustaining swingeing cuts to her RTÉ salary in recent years.

The most recent salary figures released by RTÉ in relation to its top 10 paid stars date back to 2013 when the broadcaster said Ms Finucane was the third best paid broadcaster in 2011 when she was paid €492,000.

Mr Finucane, who broadcasts four hours each week on RTÉ with her two weekend morning shows, earned €295,000 in her latest reported deal, representing a cut of €197,000 in salary.

Ms Finucane’s annual salary reached a peak with RTÉ in 2008 when she received €570,000. The Dubliner remains a big ratings winner and advertising revenue generator with RTÉ and the accounts show that the firm values Ms Finucane’s image rights at €600,000.

In a 2012 Newstalk interview, Ms Finucane said her pay had “changed utterly” in the past few years.

“Of course you realise that what was negotiated at a certain time… we are in a completely changed world now and I know that”.