Kinbrook Group celebrates Top 50 Women in Accounting recognition for Old Mill’s Alison Smith
Alison Smith, Partner at Brook Financial, part of Old Mill, has been recognised as one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting 2026.
The global award by Ignition celebrates women who are helping shape the future of the accounting profession through leadership, innovation, advocacy and mentoring. This year saw a record number of nominations, with 1,265 submissions representing 835 nominees from across the profession.
Based in Ilminster, Alison leads Brook Financial, Old Mill’s outsourced finance and digital business services team. Working with businesses across the South West and beyond, she helps organisations modernise financial processes, embrace new technologies and access the financial insight needed to support growth and informed decision-making.
Her inclusion in the Top 50 reflects a career dedicated to helping businesses navigate change and make the most of emerging technologies. With expertise spanning cloud accounting, automation, outsourced finance and digital transformation, Alison has worked with organisations of all sizes to improve efficiency and create more effective finance functions.
2nd September 2026
-
Alison Smith See profile
Alison also brings the perspective of a business owner. Having co-founded, grown and successfully sold her own company in 2022, she understands first-hand the realities of building a business, managing growth and planning for the future. That practical experience continues to shape the advice and support she provides to clients today.
The recognition is a proud moment for colleagues across both Old Mill and the wider Kinbrook Group. As Kinbrook’s South West business, Old Mill combines expertise in accountancy, tax, business advisory, legal and financial planning with specialist services such as outsourced finance through Brook Financial. Being part of Kinbrook enables colleagues to share knowledge, collaborate across disciplines and deliver broader support to clients throughout the UK.
Speaking about the recognition, Alison said:
“Believe that you belong, even if you cannot yet see many women around the leadership table.
“Unfortunately, there are still not enough female role models in accounting, and too many times I have been the only woman in a meeting. It can be intimidating to walk into a room full of men, but as women we take that challenge on so the next generation can have the opportunities that we are helping to create. We set the foundations.”
The award’s theme this year focused on recognising women who are helping to drive positive change across the profession. For Alison, supporting and encouraging others has always been an important part of her role.
Reflecting on the award, she said:
“All our roles as women are important. None of these roles should be seen to set us back. Every role helps us move forward with what we want to do.
“I like to mentor and empower women to forge out their own careers in accounting. Apart from my husband, the management team in Brook Financial are all women. Strong, kind, supportive and commercial, a wonderful team.”
The Top 50 Women in Accounting programme recognises women from around the world who are driving innovation, embracing new technologies, developing future talent and helping create a more dynamic and inclusive profession.
For Old Mill and Kinbrook Group, Alison’s recognition highlights the impact that strong leadership, innovation and collaboration can have, not only within the profession itself but also for the businesses and communities it serves.