Regional accountancy, tax and advisory firm Bishop Fleming has recruited a new audit director to its Bristol office as it seeks to build on last year’s record-breaking performance.
Alex Walling, pictured, has joined the audit team as demand for its services increases, most notably in the public sector and education.
Her arrival also follows the record recruitment of apprentices by the firm for the fourth year in a row, as well as other recent appointments to the audit team, including a new partner.
Alex previously worked in rival accountancy firm Grant Thornton’s Bristol, where she spent 11 years – most recently as director, public sector assurance. Prior to that she worked at the Audit Commission for just over 22 years.
Her appointment, along with that of Muhammad Khan – who joins Bishop Fleming’s Worcester office as an audit director – comes after the audit team posted record fee growth of 19% in the 2022-2023 financial year.
With the opening of Bishop Fleming’s new Cheltenham office last month, it is now focused on ambitious growth targets across the South West and Midlands.
Having recently been appointed on the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) scheme, the firm is now seeking to fill various roles across its offices to join its growing public sector audit team in delivering a range of public sector audits for local government, police, fire services, national parks and NHS trusts.
Alex said: “I am looking forward to working with clients and prospects in the Bristol region and am excited by the firm’s vision for growth.”
Bishop Fleming audit partner Craig Sullivan said Alex and Muhammad’s appointments represented a significant enhancement to the firm’s audit services as it looked towards an exciting period of growth.
“Muhammad and Alex will be great assets to our business and will strengthen the specialist services we can offer to our clients.”
Bishop Fleming managing partner Andrew Sandiford added: “Muhammad’s and Alex’s appointments fit in with the firm’s strategy of growing our audit services to our clients. We’re delighted to continue to attract the very best talent in the market to our business.”
Overall growth at Bishop Fleming rose by 15.5% in 2022 while its headcount grew to more than 500 for the first time.
The top 30 firm is currently ranked fifth in the Accountancy Age UK Mid-Tier Power Rankings and fifth in the inaugural UK Accountancy Age Mid-Tier Power Index.
It is also certified as a Great Place to Work and is in 14th place in the UK’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers rankings.
As well as its offices in Bristol and Worcester, it also has bases in Truro, Plymouth, Torquay, Exeter, Bath and Cheltenham.
