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.
