Allison Ballard
2024 Profiles FINANCIAL SERVICES
“ I have a passion for what I do . I not only serve my clients but also the community in a significant way . I love West Virginia and want to do everything I can to help our state , people and businesses succeed .”
Allison Ballard is a partner with Forvis Mazars ’ assurance group . She also serves as firm market leader for the commercial products industry and on the firmwide Commercial Products Industry Steering Committee and has a technical advisory role with firmwide employee benefit plan audit services . Ballard enjoys assisting clients with their goals and helping provide professionals at Forvis Mazars with meaningful careers .
“ Every day is different , really ,” she says . “ I enjoy the variety of the CPA profession . I enjoy being a trusted advisor for our clients , which includes being a sounding board on issues and ideas , as well as helping provide solutions to matters our clients bring to us .”
Ballard credits former partners Sandy Thomas and Bob Simpson with providing helpful guidance in her career . She describes Thomas as a trailblazer who became one of the first female partners at an accounting firm at a time when the profession was male-dominated .
“ She was not only an excellent CPA but also a mother and wife who had excellent taste and style and was very charitable in the community ,” she says . “ She was a great supporter of me in my
career , including becoming a partner , and an excellent role model and friend .”
Ballard ’ s interest in accounting began in high school where she enjoyed math and the chance to do various simulations of accounting tasks . A teacher encouraged her to participate in a Future Business Leaders of America competition . She performed very well on a test on accounting concepts , and that inspired her to pursue an accounting degree at Washington and Lee University in Lexington , VA .
Drawn to the campus and its atmosphere , she played on the school ’ s volleyball and inaugural women ’ s basketball teams . Playing sports helped Ballard learn to work well under pressure .
“ I love a challenge and am very competitive with a drive to succeed and win from years of athletics ,” she says . “ Being involved in sports also instilled in me the value of teamwork and being a team player , which is important as I work with my teams — both our people and clients — to meet a common goal .”
Ballard has lived and traveled to other places , including a roughly seven-year stay in Washington , D . C . However , nothing compared to life in West Virginia , where she found a 10- to 15-minute work commute , meaningful community involvement and a caring populace .
Ballard is grateful to have a career that she enjoys and has allowed her and her husband , Ken , to raise their three children .
“ I have a passion for what I do ,” she says . “ I not only serve my clients but also the community in a significant way . I love West Virginia and want to do everything I can to help our state , people and businesses succeed .” •
Allison Ballard
Company :
Forvis Mazars
Title :
Partner
Contact Information : allison . ballard @ us . forvismazars . com
Accomplishments :
Named a Young Gun and Sharp Shooter by West Virginia Executive Magazine
Community Service :
• Charleston Tennis Club – Board President
• West Virginia Roundtable – Treasurer
• Childhood Language Center – Treasurer
• Girl Scouts Black Diamond Council – Treasurer
• Kanawha Valley Women ’ s Gold Association – Treasurer
• George Washington High School Softball Boosters – Treasurer
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West Virginia Executive | Profiles | 2024