Meet…Alun Evans, a Partner at our Haverfordwest and Carmarthen Offices

Meet…Alun Evans, a Partner at our Haverfordwest and Carmarthen Offices

6 Oct 2023
News
For the latest edition of our ‘meet the team’ series, We caught up with Alun Evans, a Partner at our Haverfordwest and Carmarthen offices, to find out about Alun’s journey to becoming a partner at the firm, as well as finding out what a typical day in the office entails for Alun.

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and bred in Pembrokeshire, attended Ysgol Dewi Sant, and then graduated from the University of Birmingham.

I then trained with a Big Four firm before returning to Pembrokeshire to join Bevan Buckland LLP, where I have remained since.

 

Q: How long have you been at Bevan Buckland, and what’s your current role?
I joined the firm over 30 years ago and am currently the Partner of our Haverfordwest and Carmarthen offices.

 

Q: How did you first get into Accountancy?
My parents owned a village store and Post Office that interested me, and I would run errands to the bank and the accountant. My father was interested in the financial press, which influenced me.

There were no electronic tills in the shop – everything had to be added manually, so I became confident with numbers/arithmetic. It was a light-hearted environment – customers enjoyed joking and putting the world to right.

My grandparents and most of my uncles and aunts were self-employed farmers, so business was a way of life.

I worked on my family’s and local farms, and it became clear that I was quicker at counting tons of potatoes than picking them.

Choosing to study accounting at university seemed a natural way forward.

 

Q: What does a typical day look like in your role?
First thing – work on a set of accounts and tax comps.

Then, internal meetings to progress any technical issues.

10.30am – coffee addiction kicks in, and I usually pop out to get a coffee. I then look to conduct client meetings from 11am.

Oh – and emails – I probably spend 2 hours a day dealing with client queries via email.

Always go for a stroll at lunchtime – I have tried working straight through but find my brain stops working without a break.

Work at home one day a week to concentrate on technical matters without interruptions.

 

Q: What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?
The client meetings are the most rewarding aspect of my job– particularly when acting as a sounding board/mulling future options with switched-on clients while maintaining a sense of humour.

I advise on a number of areas from accounts, tax, audits, probate and insolvency – so there is a huge variety in my work.

 

Q: How do you continue learning & growing as a professional?
Read and read and read!

 

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
I ddechrau rhywbeth i’w hanner penni, to start something is to half finish it.

 

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