Our People

Andrew Smith FCCA

Since leaving college I have spent my entire career in public practice. I studied and trained with three local firms and qualified as a Certified Accountant in 1996. Three years later I joined Lewis Smith & Co. and became a partner in 2002.

I have a wealth of experience in most business sectors and have advised a wide range of clients over the years. Recent casework has included the sale of a UK family company to a large multinational, obtaining corporate finance for a web-based company and looking at an exit plan strategy for a retiring Director. My experience in business IT systems has been invaluable in the set up of successful in-house systems for a variety of clients.

I am always keen to make sure that working for a client means exactly that - i.e. giving them or their business something of value and more than just a set of numbers. As a partner of the firm I have made it a strict policy that I will try to personally see every one of my clients at least once a year – a practice which I believe many other firms' partners cannot commit to.

I am Black Country born and bred and married with two sons.

It's your round!..........make mine a Guinness

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Craig Beale FCCA

I moved into public practice in 1991, having spent my first couple of years at an insurance broker’s. I worked for two local practices and became AAT and then ACCA qualified. In 2005 I joined Lewis Smith & Co. and duly became a partner in 2007.

Where both I and Lewis Smith & Co. differ from other practices is that the advice given is always specifically tailored to our clients' needs and presented in an understandable way.

Advice can range from compliance work, management buy-outs, tax planning and strategies through to exit strategies. But I also provide ‘down to earth’ and ‘practical’ business help when it's needed. This could be a simple measure to reduce a busy owner’s administration burden or detailed costing calculations to help a client increase their profitability and wealth.

With a strong network of contacts in various professional areas, such as banking, law, financial advisors, IT and marketing I have gained an all round experience and have access to many specialist areas of business beyond the world of tax and number-crunching.

Outside of work, it’s simple: football! Or, to be more precise, West Bromwich Albion.

I was born in Mary Stevens hospital, Stourbridge and have stayed local to the Black Country area.

It's your round!..........Pint of lager please!

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Peter Smith FCA

I now act as a part time consultant and advisor having spent the previous twenty years being the "Smith" in Lewis Smith & Co. Prior to this I was an MD at a large manufacturing company so have seen and experienced both "sides of the fence". My life and work experiences are now used to help support the current partners as required, when they can prise me away from the golf course! My main role is now to advise on complex tax issues, share valuations and management buy outs.

It's your round!..........Glass of merlot

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Karen Smith FCCA

As with the partners, I have been in the accounting profession since the age of 18. As office manager I handle much of the practice compliance work, but I am also very "hands-on" with much of the day to day accounting and taxation tasks.

It's your round!..........Gin and Tonic!

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

David Stevens BA (Hons) FCA

2008 marked my 15th year with Lewis Smith & Co. having previously worked for a larger regional firm. I qualified in 1992. During my years with Lewis Smith & Co. I have built up many good relationships with clients and am involved with many different work aspects of the practice.

It's your round!..........A pint of (real) ale.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jo Pollard

I have a 20 year employment history with Lewis Smith & Co. My main responsibility in recent years has been managing the practice bookkeeping bureau. I have a great understanding of the Sage financial products and am often referred to as "Sage Guru!". Due to this role I tend to be mainly office based which means I am on hand whenever a client needs help.

It's your round!..........A Stella Artois if you please!

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Chris Boot ACCA New!

I joined Lewis Smith & Co. in October 2011 as a Senior Accountant. after working in a number local practices. This means that I understand the needs of Black Country businesses.  My role will be to provide management accounting capability for our larger clients.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Stephen Duffen

I knew from an early age that I wanted to become an accountant so once I completed my A-levels I began working in a local practice. I gained over 2 years experience before moving to Lewis Smith & Co in January 2007. I am currently training towards gaining the ACCA qualification and hope to achieve this within the next couple of years. My role is predominately producing accounts from clients' books and records but I am also involved in management accounts and VAT Returns.

It's your round!..........Vodka and Red Bull.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Suzanne Beale

I worked in the banking sector for 10 years before having a "family break" (2 wonderful girls). I joined Lewis Smith & Co on a part-time basis in July 2007 in an administrative role. My main role is credit control, so if you don't get to speak to me that's probably a good thing! I also help with bookkeeping and payroll services for clients and the practice.

It's your round!..........Dry white wine (Pinot Grigio) please.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sheila Plevey

Having worked at Lewis Smith & Co for over 25 years I've certainly earned a good holiday! I work within the admin. department and help run the payroll bureau as well as perform secretarial and reception duties. The benefit of being here for so long is knowing all the clients and their businesses, some have been clients since my first days and it's nice to have such consistency.

It's your round!..........Cup of tea (Glass of red when on holiday!)

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Yvonne Jones

I joined Lewis Smith & Co straight from school in 1991 and have spent my entire working life here. My main responsibilities are to help run the payroll bureau, secretarial and reception duties alongside Sheila. I also help with client bookkeeping as required. I enjoy being busy at work so it helps being in such a busy office environment. I've also got a little baby boy now to keep me busy at home as well!

It's your round!..........Cider.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sam Downing NEW!

I joined Lewis Smith & Co. in October 2011 as a semi-senior.  My main roles are to prepare accounts for our sole trader and small business clients, look after personal and business taxation and deal with VAT Returns. 

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.