Alison Vickers, Managing Partner of regional chartered accountants, tax advisors, Bevan Buckland LLP. Alison’s journey began as the first Trainee Chartered Accountant on 1st September 1986 at Bevan Buckland LLP. After completing her A Levels and deciding not to follow the University route, Alison completed an Accounting Foundation Course. Shortly after, she was offered a training contract with Bevan Buckland to undertake the, highly respected ICAEW ACA professional qualification. Alison qualified with first time passes in July 1989 at the age of 22. Financial Training Limited informed her that she was their youngest student in the UK that year to qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. In 1996, Alison became the first female partner at Bevan Buckland in their 100-year history. In 2015, Alison was presented with the opportunity to take over from the Managing Partner at the time, Cuan O’Shea, who had been such an important person in Alison’s career development. Alison was honoured to accept and become Bevan Buckland’s first Female Managing Partner. Alison looks after a broad range of SME clients, from smaller lifestyle businesses to £100million turnover trading groups. One of her specialities includes the not-for-profit sector and she regularly provides training courses and professional guidance for charities on risk management and governance. Alison’s audit and forensic accounting expertise have allowed her to demonstrate great success in both these areas including, uncovering corporate fraud of £1.5 million and building a Housing Association client base which is the highest representation in Wales. Anyone who knows Alison will know that she is very passionate about all of her clients. Alison’s main goal is to treat every client as if it was her own business, to be able to fully understand their business, act as a sounding board, help them to set long term strategies and achieve their financial goals. Outside of her “Day Job” Alison lives in Penclawdd with her partner Robert and their 17-year-old son, Matthew along with her stepdaughter Laura. One of Alison’s big passions is football, she is a season ticket holder with Swansea City A.F.C and has been for more than 35 years. When not spending time with her clients, Alison is the treasurer of the Swansea Bay Business Club and is on the Audit Committee of Swansea University.