Many Irish tourism enterprises are family-owned micro businesses, sometimes in peripheral locations, with a people and lifestyle focus, so they may be vulnerable financially. Therefore, this research tries to diagnose the level of financial management capability in 12 owner-managed activity centres, restaurants and accommodation businesses, using interpretive exploratory interviews. The research literature defines capability to include intrinsic awareness, prior training and business experience of the owner-manager, together with information systems and support from external advisers. Empirical findings confirmed gaps in competencies across the sample group. Suggestions are made for the external accountant to mentor improvement in financial capability through non-compliance services, via local networks.