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Meet Alison Vickers, Managing
Partner at Bevan Buckland

4 Jul 2025
Blog
As part of our ongoing ‘Meet the Team’ series, we caught up with Alison Vickers, Managing Partner at Bevan Buckland. Alison has been with the firm since 1986 and has built an inspiring career journey from trainee to Managing Partner. With a deep passion for client service, technical excellence, and team development, Alison shares insights into her early career decisions, what motivates her daily, and her vision for the future of both the firm and the accounting industry.

Q: How did you first get into accountancy?

I had a family friend who was a Chartered Accountant who told me about his job and what it entailed, and I thought, “That’s what I want to do”. I was always very math-based, and I loved numbers and speaking to people. Another career I thought of was becoming a detective. Then someone asked whether I would mind the “dead bodies”, and so I quickly decided to be an accountant.

 

Q: How long have you been at Bevan Buckland, and what’s your current role?

I joined Bevan Buckland on September 1, 1986, as a Trainee Chartered Accountant, qualifying in 1989 and then became the audit manager in January 1991. I was appointed as a partner in April 1997, becoming Bevan Buckland’s first female partner in almost 100 years. Finally in November 2016, I became a Managing Partner.

 

Q: What does a typical day look like in your role?

I don’t have a typical day; the day always rotates around clients and other meetings and reviewing client working papers. I also will attend business events. My client meetings involve discussing everything financial, from audit, corporate finance, accounts, tax, tax planning and just general business advice; it’s a real mixture. No two days are ever the same which makes the role more enjoyable. I also try to commit time to the team to mentor them and share my knowledge.

 

Q: Have you had any other job roles along the way?

Whilst a student I also worked as a barmaid, which I loved. It was a very sociable role and helped me develop my skills in dealing with people. I made friends in that job that I am still very close to today.  For the first 6 months of working at Bevan Buckland I maintained both jobs but soon realised I needed to prioritise my studies as a chartered accountant.

 

Q: What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work?

I really enjoy helping clients to solve their problems. They come to me looking for effective solutions to their needs, and it’s my job to provide exactly that. I also address any technical questions they might have, offering clear and accurate answers. Ultimately, it’s about ensuring they feel confident in the information we provide and satisfied with the support they receive

 

Q: What is your vision for the practice’s future?

I love being part of the Bevan Buckland brand and the firm. I want the business to continue growing and for the practice to remain a great success. The practice has doubled in the last five years, and our plan is to see it double in the next 5 years. It is a great place to work, and I feel that all team members, including myself, are very well-valued by the firm. Our aim is to make sure it is a fantastic place to work.

 

Q: What keeps you at Bevan Buckland?

I find a lot of joy in my role, especially knowing that I am making a difference for my clients. I have a strong passion for the service I deliver to my clients. Everyone who knows me will know I truly love what I do. I also value the relationships I’ve built with both my clients and my team and take pride in the success we’ve achieved together over the years.

 

Q: What one piece of advice would you give an aspiring accountant/someone just starting their career?

I would say absorb as much information as possible, volunteer for everything, try and learn as much as possible and have confidence in yourself. Also, write things down. You cannot remember everything people tell you. Think of every day as a learning day. I have always been determined to understand everything I do.

 

Q: Are there any expectations you had about this career path that you have found differ from reality, in either a good or a bad way?

My career has exceeded all of my expectations, and my career path has been very positive. I never looked too far ahead. I set myself targets that I could achieve in the medium term. First was to qualify, then become a manager and then I set my sights on being a partner.

 

Q: What skills are the most crucial to succeeding in this career? What type of person do you need to be?

I have found the role has needed me to be very logical in my approach and be able to be a good communicator. I joined because I thought it would be all maths-based and soon discovered it’s not. I get involved in many reports and interpreting written documents, as well as dealing with numbers. It is about being able to understand the challenges our clients and businesses face, being empathetic to the client and understanding their needs. You have to be a people person and have those skills to continue growing and developing yourself as an accountant.

 

Q: How do you continue learning & growing as a professional?

I continue to learn and grow as a professional by listening to people and taking on board what they say to me. We are a fantastic team here at Bevan Buckland, and I think that’s what makes working for the practice great. I continue to do my Continued Professional Development courses, which really help me to grow and develop, and I also continue learning from others.

 

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

There are two pieces of advice that I have always valued. The first is from my dad. You can achieve anything you set your mind to, provided you have the determination and drive to succeed and reach your desired goals.  The second piece of advice was from my careers teacher, who said whatever career you choose, set yourself a target to be the best.

 

Q: If you were to redo your journey, would you change anything?

I don’t think there is anything that I would do differently. I have really loved my journey from the start. Before becoming a partner, I was approached by several organisations offering me roles, and the best decision I made was to turn down all the offers. I have always loved being part of Bevan Buckland.

 

Q: How do you think the accounting industry will change in the next 5 to 10 years?

I feel that technology, automation and Artificial Intelligence are making a huge difference already, and they will continue to do so to make massive changes in the industry. Accountants will always be needed to provide business advice, but the software will continue to improve over time and take over some of the current roles.

 

Q: Do you think your degree was relevant to your current role?

I am not a graduate. I knew from quite an early age I wanted to be an accountant, so I did an accounting foundation course. It was a year-long course that enabled me to gain the required qualifications to commence my chartered accountancy training contract. Bevan Buckland’s trainees are a mix of school leavers and graduates.

 

Q: Do you have anything else that you would like to add?

What I would say to someone aspiring to be an accountant is to only enter this career if you feel you will enjoy it. Try some work experience, speak to accountants and understand what their role entails. There are many sectors that accountants work in. I am an accountant based in practice, but many work in industry, financial services and the public sector. Also, if you start and are not enjoying it, don’t be afraid to change career. If you are someone who likes problem-solving and dealing with numbers and reports, you’re very analytical, and like dealing with people, then I would say accountancy is for you. It can be a fantastic career, but you need to work hard and have the determination and drive to learn new things along the way.

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