We recognise that our success is due to the skills and professionalism of our staff. As a team, we share common values, a passion for charities and a drive to deliver excellence.
Staff
Helping our clients to make a difference:
Our friendly and talented staff team
Guy Blake
ACA, Audit Director
Guy Blake
ACA, Audit Director
Guy leads the Audit Team as Audit Director. Having joined the firm in September 2013 as a graduate trainee, Guy has spent 10 years with Godfrey Wilson gaining extensive experience of charity accounting and audit. Guy holds a Practising Certificate and Responsible Individual status.
Guy’s experience to date has included a wide variety of assignments from bookkeeping for small owner-managed businesses, to working on some of the firm’s largest charity audit assignments. Guy now manages a portfolio of audit and independent examination clients, most of which are small to medium sized charities and social enterprises. Recent work assignments have included reconfiguring a clients’ accounting software to improve reporting processes, providing VAT advice, and delivering training to a trustee board on management reporting and budgeting. Guy has a specialism in arts charities and regularly advises his clients on creative tax reliefs.
Prior to joining Godfrey Wilson, Guy worked in data management and reporting initially for a counselling service and latterly as a Dashboard Developer for a consultancy firm. Guy achieved a first-class degree in Mathematics from the University of Plymouth. Outside of work Guy is a keen runner, cyclist and swimmer, and enjoys competing in races from 10km up to marathon distance.
Alison Godfrey
FCA, Senior Director
Alison Godfrey
FCA, Senior Director
Alison has 25 years’ experience in the charity and not-for-profit sector. She trained with charity-specialist firm, Sayer Vincent, where she gained extensive experience of audit, accounts preparation, taxation and consultancy. She progressed to the position of Audit Manager, looking after a portfolio of charity clients. During her time at Sayer Vincent she spent four months on secondment at Oxfam, conducting internal audits and training staff on projects throughout Africa and Asia.
On moving to Gloucestershire, Alison worked as Head of Finance & Administration for The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), an international conservation charity. She managed a team of seven staff to run the finance function for the charity which had a turnover of £12m, nine branches and 400 staff.
At Godfrey Wilson, Alison manages a portfolio of charity audits and independent examinations. Alongside this, she enjoys a hands-on role advising clients on a range of issues from charity VAT to cloud-based accounting solutions.
Alison is currently Treasurer for St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol where she chairs both the Resources Committee and Audit Committee. She has previously held trustee roles at Deki, a micro-finance charity working in Africa and Asia, and Saidia Children’s Home, a Kenyan orphanage. She has also volunteered with numerous charities, including working with street children in Kathmandu and working at a high school in Nairobi.
Having gained experience of charities across the whole spectrum – as trustee, employee, volunteer and auditor – Alison is uniquely placed to provide advice on both operational and strategic matters.
Josh Turner
ACCA, Accounts Director
Josh Turner
ACCA, Accounts Director
Josh leads the Accounts Team as Accounts Director. He joined Godfrey Wilson in 2016 having previously worked as a Finance Manager for a local advertising firm. Since joining the firm Josh studied for his AAT and ACCA exams and is now a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant.
Josh manages a large portfolio of clients across a variety of industries, including both charities and companies. He manages the firm’s accounting and bookkeeping function as well as taking a hands-on role providing bookkeeping, management accounts, statutory accounts, tax, training and consultancy services to clients.
Outside Godfrey Wilson Josh is an avid runner, footballer and cyclist with a passion for a wide range of music.
Rob Wilson
FCA, Senior Director
Rob Wilson
FCA, Senior Director
Rob trained as a chartered accountant with Sproull & Co in Harrow, moving to Bright Graham Murray in West London when he qualified in 2002. During this time he specialised in SMEs but worked with a wide variety of clients from charities to public listed companies.
Rob has also worked in a number of interim senior finance roles, including Financial Controller for one of the country’s leading PR firms, Head of Finance for a sports PR firm, and Head of Finance for a school of 3D animation and CGI.
At Godfrey Wilson, Rob’s work includes consultancy, management accounting, budgeting, payroll, company formations, installation of accounting software and year end accounts. His strengths lie in helping organisations through periods of growth and change by building a sound financial and technological infrastructure to support expansion.
Recent work assignments have included: the installation of a computerised accounting system capable of tracking numerous, complex restricted funds and automatically producing a variety of bespoke reports; the overhaul and improvement of the financial procedures for an international events company; and writing a business plan for an international fair trade company seeking to raise finance.
Rob enjoys raising money for charity by taking part in endurance sporting events. He regularly competes in triathlons and marathons.
Jennie Dickinson
ACA, Audit Manager
Jennie Dickinson
ACA, Audit Manager
Jennie started her accounting career in Yorkshire in 2014 following a degree in Fine Art at the University of Leeds. She completed her training in Bristol, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2018, and began to focus on the not-for-profit sector as an auditor.
Jennie made the move to Godfrey Wilson in April 2022 in order to work in a charity and not-for-profit focussed environment, amongst like-minded colleagues with a passion for adding value to organisations doing good across the South West and the wider world. She now works as a Manager in the audit team, supporting both clients and colleagues to get the best from themselves.
Jennie became Treasurer of a local charity in 2023 and enjoys volunteering with other client and non-client organisations. In her spare time, she is a keen cold-water swimmer, cider maker and costume creator.
Dougal Howard
ACA, Audit Manager
Dougal Howard
ACA, Audit Manager
Dougal joined Godfrey Wilson in 2023 as an Audit Manager.
He trained, qualified, and Chartered with Sayer Vincent LLP in London, where he worked for a little over five years auditing a broad range of charities and other social purpose organisations, including grant-making trusts and foundations, health and social care charities, law centres, arts organisations and many others across the sector. He now manages a similarly diverse portfolio of audits and independent examinations here at Godfrey Wilson.
Before becoming an accountant, Dougal obtained a Masters in Chemistry then a PhD in Materials Chemistry from University College London. He is a keen musician, baker, and walker.
Jon Newbound
FCCA DChA, Audit Manager
Jon Newbound
FCCA DChA, Audit Manager
jonathan.n@godfreywilson.co.uk
Jon joined Godfrey Wilson in 2023 as an Audit Manager.
Prior to joining Godfrey Wilson, he trained with a small accountancy practice in Bath, before joining Monahans in 2010 as a newly qualified Chartered Accountant. Whilst at Monahans, Jon started to specialise in working with charity and other non-profit clients, before becoming an Audit Manager in 2014. In his role he worked with a broad range of different charitable and non-profit clients, from small unincorporated charities, to larger charities, academy schools, registered social landlords and pension schemes. In January 2019 Jon successfully attained the ICAEW Diploma in Charity Accounting.
Prior to becoming an accountant Jon studied French and History at the University of Warwick. Outside of work Jon enjoys building Lego with his two boys, family days out to National Trust properties and is a governor at his children’s school.
Ben Swinson
Payroll Manager
Ben Swinson
Payroll Manager
Ben joined Godfrey Wilson in 2020 having previously worked as Payroll & Pensions Administrator within a large UK payroll bureau. Ben’s previous experience includes end-to-end UK payroll processing across all pay frequencies, BACS payment submissions and administering a large range of Auto-enrolment pension providers.
Ben holds an Advanced Practitioner Certificate in Payroll and is an active Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP). Since joining the firm, Ben has been finalising his studies for the Diploma in Payroll Management and his Full Professional Membership of the CIPP.
At Godfrey Wilson Ben works with over 100 clients, ranging from single-person schemes to payrolls of 100+ employees and containing a mixture of both companies and charities. Since joining the firm, Ben has increased our ability to manage all aspects of Payroll including, Pension Auto-enrolment procedures and assisting with the administration of Benefits in Kind.
Outside of Godfrey Wilson, Ben enjoys adventures with his dog, gardening, and travel planning with hopes to one day visit all 7 continents (3 down, 4 to go!).
Work for us
At Godfrey Wilson, we use our skills to make a difference. An audit isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about strengthening governance, identifying efficiencies and challenging embedded practices. Our work helps our charity clients to grow and to change, and ultimately to become more effective.
It is a privilege to work alongside such a rich and diverse portfolio of charity clients. No two days are the same, and it is a constant inspiration to work with people who are deeply passionate about their cause.
Our team is close-knit, supportive and underpinned by a shared set of values. We have a strong work ethic, working hard to provide the highest levels of service to our clients. All staff are approachable, and no one is too important to make the tea. There is a friendly and social vibe, with regular events outside of work. We have a fantastic office located on Bristol’s harbourside, just a short walk from the city’s cafes, bars and shops.
We value our staff and are committed to providing a supportive environment for them to learn and develop. We are an ICAEW training employer and welcome a fresh intake of ACA trainees each year. We also run apprenticeships for staff studying for AAT and ACCA qualifications.
As a small and growing firm, we can provide great opportunities for career progression. We favour organic growth and have a proven track record of promoting staff from within the firm. Several of our partners and managers started their accountancy careers as graduate trainees at Godfrey Wilson, and we hope that our current trainees will follow suit.
Current vacancies
Trainee Accounts Assistant (AAT)
Are you looking for a fantastic opportunity to become a qualified accountant? We are hiring Trainee Accounts Assistants to start in January 2025. You would be working and learning alongside our accounts team supporting charities, non-profit organisations, small limited companies and sole traders, whilst studying for your AAT qualification. If you are interested in starting your accountancy career with Godfrey Wilson click the link below:
Find out more and apply here!
Qualified Senior Auditor
We are always keen to hear from ACA/ACCA qualified auditors who have experience of the charity sector or who are keen to join an ethical, values-driven firm working primarily with charity clients. For more information on what we can offer you or to discuss the opportunity please email kate@godfreywilson.co.uk, call us on 0117 971 344 or keep an eye out on our careers page via the following link:
Careers at Godfrey Wilson
What our staff say
Josh Turner, Accounts Director
Before joining GW, my background was purely industry-based. I worked as the finance manager for a very sales-driven business, where profit maximisation was the only objective.
I got to the point where I knew I wanted to work in practice, and what attracted me to Godfrey Wilson was the idea that I would be working to support clients whose objectives were more than just making money: charities, businesses and individuals with a wider range of principles and values. I also managed to find possibly the only accountancy firm in Bristol where a suit is not obligatory!
Since joining, I have been given lots of opportunities to learn – from both my colleagues and by working with a variety of clients. The team is supportive, relaxed and proud of the work we produce and who we produce it for. We are kind, friendly and work on a personal level which I had not experienced throughout a whole firm before now.
Alice Yevko, Qualified Audit Senior
Training for my chartered accountancy qualification at a charity specialist firm is an amazing experience. It’s hugely rewarding to work with our clients, who are passionate individuals and organisations making the world a better place.
I didn’t always know I wanted to work in audit. But after graduating, I wanted to learn more about how I could use my skills to make a positive impact, and also geek out number crunching and problem-solving! This led me to Godfrey Wilson’s training contract and I can safely say I found the right place to learn.
For me, the best thing about working for Godfrey Wilson is the sense of community, which is really motivating especially when things get busy. As a junior team member, I feel 100% listened to. The managers and seniors are committed to our growth and lead by example. I couldn’t imagine a better place to be training.
Alex Wright, Audit Trainee
Having completed the AAT qualification in 2018, I felt it was the right time to continue my accountancy training and find a new challenge. I came across the job opportunity at Godfrey Wilson and was intrigued. I thought, what a wonderful way to learn new skills whilst helping people make a difference. I knew I wanted to work there.
Since starting as a trainee I have not been disappointed. The working atmosphere is lovely, the managers and partners are approachable and supportive, whilst the work is both challenging and rewarding. Everyone at all levels is keen to help each other with problems which has made the steep learning curve that comes with the job that much easier.
Ultimately, we have a common goal to support our clients and help them do what they do best, making a difference.
Alison Godfrey, Director and Co-Founder
After graduating, I travelled to Nepal to volunteer with a local children’s charity. It was an amazing experience but I was struck by how poor financial accountability and weak governance really affected the impact of the charity’s work. On my return to the UK, I sought out a career that would give me the skills to help charities to maximise their impact by improving their financial management.
Now, with 23 years’ experience under my belt, I am a director in an accountancy firm that is doing exactly that. I feel privileged to have learned from hundreds of charities over the years: large and small, global and local. I am constantly inspired by the organisations I work with and motivated to help them be the best they can be. I am proud to have created a firm where these values run through the heart of everything we do.
Ellie McDowell, Qualified Audit Senior
I moved to Godfrey Wilson from the charity sector, wanting to gain a qualification in accounting so that I would be able to offer more practical support and experience to charities. Now I get to work with a range of really inspirational clients, and a team of people who are passionate about what they do.
The best thing about working for Godfrey Wilson is that we’re encouraged to go above and beyond for our clients, to invest our time in really understanding what they’re all about, and helping them find ways to improve their processes and efficiency.
Our work is not just a set of accounts, it’s about creating a long term, positive impact and, for me, that’s the most rewarding part of the job.