Tom Allen's story

Tom joined the company as an ACCA trainee in September 2013, having graduated from Exeter University with a degree in maths. He qualified as an accountant in 2017 and has since experienced a wide range of work within accounts and audit. His main focus is now on advising local businesses to ensure they have the platform to be both compliant and successful. He was a client adviser before being promote to Associate Director in April.

What are you most proud of professionally? / Where did you begin your career?

To be part of the Richardson Swift team since 2013 and progress through the firm, recently being promoted to Associate Director. I’m proud to have played a part in the firm going from strength to strength in Bath, from 13 employees to 42, and building great relationships with clients in the local area.

What do you think is the biggest career challenge for young people currently? / What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

To realise that you have to continue working on yourself in order to reach your goals. In order to improve you have to push yourself and allow yourself to fail, even though it is uncomfortable a lot of the time. It takes time to get the results you want, so determination, consistency and patience is a must!

How did you choose your current career path?

I had no idea what I wanted to do after finishing my maths degree! I knew I wanted a challenge, and needed to fund my football and cricket matches on the weekend. The graduate role at Richardson Swift came up and the rest is history. The incentive to train towards being a chartered accountant, and in Bath, was too good an opportunity to miss.

Describe your typical day.

Wake up at 6:30am to be greeted by my very hungry Bengal cat Ralph. Commute into Bath with the wife for 8:30am. A day of helping clients at work until around 5:30pm, including meetings in person or on Teams. I’ll usually be at the gym in the evening and then cook dinner. I am a stickler for routine!