Aim: "To help clients take a rounded approach by balancing tax planning and commercial issues." Expertise: Accounting, audit & business compliance, business tax planning and private clients. charities & "not-for-profit". Work and Clients: Alastair specialises in accounts preparation, auditing, corporate tax compliance and planning as well as day-to-day and strategic business planning and advice. His clients are predominantly owner-managed businesses from sectors such as property, agriculture and professional practices. He also deals with personal tax planning for business owners. The route to Shipleys: Senior audit manager for Ernst & Young based in Dubai and Edinburgh. Moved to Moores Rowland which merged with BDO Stoy Hayward where he was partner for 15 years. He joined Shipleys as a principal in 2001. Memberships: Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland and reciprocal member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, Bishops Stortford Chamber of Commerce.

Most entertaining deal or case: “Quite a few come to mind …as part of the audit of a bank I had to count the gold bars that were part of the bank's reserves. I’ll never forget standing on an oil platform next to a jet engine that was pumping oil into an oil tanker, or seeing the National Insurance cards of a major construction client accidentally dropped down the stairwell of a four storey Edinburgh tenement building.” What I like about my job: “The variety of clients and challenges.” Proudest professional moments: “A client of mine made a mistake under the MAFF arable aid subsidy rules which resulted in the withholding of all his grant aid payments for that year. He had taken legal advice and only mentioned this to me because it meant he was unable to pay his tax bill. I introduced him to specialists and for a modest fee he got his aid payments. I was so pleased to really make a difference – especially without charging the client.” Interests outside work: Alastair is a member of the Saffron Walden Golf Club, Chairman and Treasurer of the local tennis club, a keen skier, gardener and enjoys foreign holidays.