Alex Peal, Partner, Reading Office
Louise Wickens, Senior Manager, Reading Office
Karen Turner, Assistant Manager, Newbury Office
Mike Walsh, Second Year ACA Student, Oxford Office
Alex Peal, Partner, Reading OfficeAlex joined James Cowper in 1998 after completing a degree at Reading University in Land Management. Alex is now a partner in Business Services. I know it seems an unlikely move, to do a degree in Land Management yet aspire to have a career in accounting but I had always had a keen interest in business and finance and my degree helped me develop a wide range of commercial skills that I could easily transfer. James Cowper welcome trainees with non accountancy degrees as they recognise that other degrees can give you a breadth of knowledge that is complementary to your accountancy career. As James Cowper’s training is so comprehensive, not having a financial background is not a hindrance – you are taught everything you need to know. After I qualified in 2001, I worked in the Newbury office in Business Services. I worked on a wide range of assignments and had the opportunity to work as an interim financial controller for a client which was a great way to gain industry experience and insight. In 2003 I was promoted to manager and had my own portfolio of mixed corporate clients and charities to look after. In 2005 I was promoted to senior manager and moved to the Reading office. As both a manager and senior manager I also worked on a number of one off assignments and projects, such as due diligence and transaction support work, which was very interesting. In 2006 I became a Director and in 2008 a Partner, nine years and 3 months from the day I started with the firm! I’m really enjoying my career at James Cowper mainly because of the types of clients I get to look after. At James Cowper you can get very close to your clients and really get involved in helping them grow their businesses. Also I enjoy working for a firm this size. Everyone knows everyone else and if you want to work hard and make a difference you know your efforts will be recognised – I’m living proof of that! Tel: +44 (0)118 959 0261 E: apeal@jamescowper.co.uk
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