Meet the Team
William Gould
Managing Director
BA Hons (Banking and Finance), FCCA
William Gould has been a qualified Chartered Credited Accountant for over 20 years.
He works on a daily basis with SME’s, across a broad range of industries and specialises in the more complex tax matters that arise within the practice.
As the Managing Director of Exchange Accountants, he oversees the day to day operations and guides clients through complex tax matters. He enjoys navigating the intricacies of the ever-changing tax landscape, ensuring that businesses remain compliant while maximising their financial potential.
Amid the challenges posed by Brexit, he has been at the forefront of assisting clients with VAT and customs-related queries. He prides himself on his in-depth understanding of the regulatory landscape and his expertise in customs matters have proved invaluable in helping businesses navigate the complexities of international trade.
William is committed to making a positive impact beyond the realm of finance and enjoys building strong relationships and supporting local initiatives.
His passion within work is to enable businesses to confidently navigate complex financial landscapes, optimise their tax strategies and embrace technological advancements in order to thrive in today’s competitive business environment.
Conor Walls
Practice Director
Conor Walls is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ experience in general accounting and tax practice. Conor studied at the University of Ulster and Chartered Accountants Ireland. In addition to this he is a qualified Forensic Accountant. Conor is passionate about using his investigative skills to examine the finances of an individual or business. He currently heads up Exchange Accountants’ transformation to cloud and digital accounting and nurturing clients as they embark on this journey.
My professional goal is that my clients make more profit, minimise their tax obligations and in doing so help them accumulate as much wealth as possible.
Gary Laverty
Practice Director
I am a Chartered Accountant with a passion for helping businesses in the £10m turnover range or below. With a strong background in accounting and tax, I have the skills to support clients in various areas.
After completing my undergraduate degree at Queens University Belfast, I pursued my accounting qualification and became a member and later a fellow of the ACCA. Over the past decade, I have transitioned into a consultancy-focused role, assisting clients with cash flows, projections, management accounts and goal setting. I have also delved into tax advisory, particularly in capital gains, succession planning and inheritance tax, collaborating with our tax partner, William Gould.
Digitalisation plays a significant role in our business and I find great satisfaction in helping clients embrace digital platforms and maintain up-to-date financial records.
Outside of work, I am a proud father to five amazing daughters and a loving husband to my supportive wife, Sarah. Rugby is one of my passions and I continue to play for the Belfast Harlequins and the Perennials RFC, a charity team comprising players over 35 from various clubs across Ulster. This has not only provided me with sporting challenges but also opportunities to raise funds for charitable causes.
As a professional, my primary goal is to further grow Exchange Accountants. Originating from the “Gold Coast of Northern Ireland” in Portrush, I aspire to establish offices in Portrush and other locations in mainland UK. Serving clients to the best of my ability and helping them achieve their business goals is of utmost importance to me. On a personal level, I aim to achieve financial security to travel the world with my wife.
I began my career in industry, working for manufacturing companies like Production Glass Fibre, which supplied parts to global bus companies and Ben Sherman, a renowned clothing brand. These experiences provided valuable insights into manufacturing and retail sectors, which I now specialise in, with several clients in these areas.
Transitioning to practice accounting was a pivotal decision and Opus Accountants provided a solid foundation. Joining the management buyout and becoming a Director at Exchange Accountants in 2001 was a career-defining opportunity. Over the past 12 years, I have built strong relationships with clients, some of whom have been with us from the start and I am grateful for their unwavering support.
The combination of my expertise, dedication to clients, and love for the dynamic nature of practice accountancy makes me a valuable asset at Exchange Accountants. I am committed to delivering exceptional service and fostering long-term partnerships with our clients.
Carol Gough
Office Manager
I joined Exchange Accountants in 2017. Over the years, I have worked tirelessly to make significant contributions to the firm and have recently been promoted to the position of Office Manager, having previously served as the Client Services Manager.
My career goals revolve around fostering strong connections with clients. I am passionate about building and maintaining a robust client base for Exchange Accountants. My focus is on ensuring that every client receives individualised attention and professional service, demonstrating our commitment to excellence and personalised care.
Outside of work, I love to travel to Dubai to visit my two daughters, Shannon and Olivia. Exploring new destinations and spending quality time with my family bring me so much happiness and fulfilment. During weekends, I love immersing myself in the world of books and going on long walks with my beloved dog, Bobbie.
My work goals include dedication to client satisfaction and commitment to building strong relationships. I always adopt a warm and friendly approach and feel that combined with my expertise, I can ensure that clients receive exceptional service and support in their financial endeavours.
Míchéal Austin
Accounts Manager
I am a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants with over 13 years’ experience in the accounting field; predominantly specialising in corporate accounts and taxation. I have worked in practice managing a wide range of corporate clients, as well as self-assessment and charitable entities and am responsible for managing the accounts department at Exchange.
Outside of work I enjoy walking the dog and generally doing something sporty outdoors. It is great to get outside after a day of focusing on numbers in the office and I feel a work/life balance is really important and enables you to perform to the best of your ability for your clients when you are in the office.
My main goal is to help clients achieve their business goals with novel and innovative solutions where possible and to help trainee accountants progress to full qualification as a chartered accountant.
Melanie Peebles
Tax Manager
MIATI,ATT (Fellow)
Melanie has been working in the accounting sector since 2007 and particularly enjoys the fast paced and ever-changing environment that the world of tax offers. She has worked as Tax advisor specialising predominately in personal tax for over 12 years. Melanie’s specialist areas of expertise include tax residency advice, capital gains tax (in particular residential property), Inheritance Tax planning, HMRC disclosures under Let Property Campaign, R&D tax credit claims, remuneration planning and profit extraction, BIK/P11D forms and annual allowance calculations in respect of excess pension contributions.
Melanie aims to help clients understand and navigate changes in tax legislation through a down to earth, common sense approach.
Gearalt Hall
Manager
Aisling Walsh
Accounts Assistant
Richard Petrie
Xero Qualified Bookkeeper
Ross O'Neill
Trainee Chartered Accountant
Paddy Graham
Trainee Chartered Accountant
Melissa McGovern
Marketing Manager
