Z-E-N provides accounting services to the entertainment & creative industries. Responsible for the tax function within the business covering both corporation tax, VAT, PAYE and personal taxes. Management of the tax team including all subcontractors to ensure all tax returns are accurately calculated and submitted. - Delivered an annual saving in staff expenses by reducing the need for an extra resource in the tax team through streamlining workflows, organised workload planning and reengineering of processes.- Completion of complex tax returns for high-net-worth individuals ensuring tax compliance across UK and international jurisdictions.- Led client engagement with high profile clients, effectively navigating confidential and sensitive matters to manage the client’s tax position.

Managed a diverse client portfolio of SMEs and multinational corporations in key markets including Australia, New Zealand, the US and Europe, looking to establish a subsidiary in the UK. Provided end-to-end advisory services, from incorporation to preparation and submission of Financial Statements (Profit and Loss/Income Statement and Balance Sheet) and tax submissions. Collaborated with C-Suite stakeholders on cross-border financial and tax matters, bridging communication gaps with expert 3rd party tax and legal advisors. Managed client audits with precision, meeting tight deadlines while minimising disruption. Demonstrated cross-cultural sensitivity to ensure effective communications. - Consistently solved complex international accounting and tax problems, requiring rapid learning of international accounting regulations, collaborative work with specialists and a client-focused approach to find creative solutions. - Empowered clients to make informed decisions in challenging overseas business situations by proactively educating them about international restrictions and issues related to cashflow, sanctions, access to banking, and funds.- Boosted client fee revenue to drive business growth by leveraging commercial experience in Industry and Practice.

I am currently offering accounting services to a small number of clients working on a part- time basis.www.blaccountancy.comMy services include from book keeping through to statutory accounts, corporation tax, self-assessment, management accounting, software implementation and general business review and guidance.

Led the Accountancy Practice of approximately 200 clients on behalf of the business owner, overseeing the entire accounting process from business incorporation through to meticulous preparation of full statutory accounts, tax computations, and personal tax assessments for a diverse clientele, including SMEs, partnerships, and charitable organisations. Provided comprehensive client engagement support, offering expert advice on financial decisions, responding to client enquiries, and managing billing and record-keeping. Effectively managed a dedicated team of seven client managers and payroll managers, overseeing training and ensuring up-to-date technical knowledge within the practice. - Drove a remarkable reduction in outstanding tax returns through process redesign across a small practice, which significantly accelerated tax return preparation and submission, and meant minimal submissions during deadline months.- Brought the client payroll function back in-house, implementing 2 new payroll systems (Director Pay and Xero), migrating all clients onto those systems which resulted in improved profit margins and more clients using the payroll service.- Successfully implemented robust anti-money laundering (AML) policies and procedures, as Anti-Money Laundering Reporting Officer, ensuring regulatory compliance and effective legal and reputational risk management for the Practice.

Directed statutory accounting for the primary Co-operative group and subsidiaries with £893 million in sales turnover. Oversaw cash flow forecasting, Treasury operations, and balance sheet controls, specialising in Corporation Tax and VAT. Led finance transformation projects improving reconciliation controls and data analysis, aiding in financial requirements development and User Acceptance Testing. Managed financial reporting from operational MI to executive-level board reporting and served as an in-house advisor for accounting, financial controls, and taxation.- Successfully optimized UK business profits and VAT liabilities by renegotiating a bespoke retail VAT scheme (BRSA). Demonstrated strong negotiation skills and influence over an 18-month period with HMRC, collaborating with tax experts to navigate technical complexities. Secured HMRC approval for a new BRSA, only reviewed every 50 years.- Managed the wind-down of 25 businesses. Managed complex accounting and reporting and liaised with high street landlords, where property was attached, to help them to navigate the financial and taxation complexities.- Secured a new partial exemption agreement through resourcefully engaging partial exemption tax specialists and consultants, consulting with HMRC to explain and represent all points of view to successfully negotiate a new agreement.

Self-employed accountant with 20 clients specialising in small businesses. Managed a diverse range of financial responsibilities from initial business incorporation including bookkeeping, financial statement preparation facilitating smooth preparation and filing of tax returns. Collaborated closely with clients to provide expert financial advice liaising with HMRC on their behalf to resolve tax queries. - Drove a 25% year on year growth, building a successful Accountancy Practice with 20 SME clients across diverse sectors

Appointed as Banking lead for the launch of the Next Directory across 49 countries, managing 6 staff directly and 20 staff in the retail banking team, dealing with all major banks and card platforms and overseeing the cash control and balance sheet reconciliations covering £35m in Directory customer receipts per week. Responsibility for posting of transactions into the financial ledgers in various currencies and accurate budgeting and forecasting for all banking and cash collection areas. - Finance lead for fast-paced roll out of the Next Directory, taking decisive action to respond to business needs. Influenced cross-functional stakeholders to ensure requirements, reporting and operational changes for the launch were delivered.- Mitigated financial losses and fraud. Minimized losses through understanding local payment systems, detection of banking and postal service fraud risks, and strengthening AML and Fraud controls.- Mentored and managed 35 Accountancy students pursuing accounting qualifications. Forged strong ties with training providers, offered assistance during rigorous training and exams, and assessed progress with their line managers.

Responsibilities Include:- Overseeing the work of the finance section of Repton School and its subsidiaries. Supervision of a team of 3 Finance staff and deputise in the absence of the Finance Bursar- Maintenance of the Fixed Asset Register- Reporting to management on pupil information, numbers and outstanding debtors- Reporting to Governors’ on expenditure in accordance with budgets- Assist the Finance Bursar in preparing termly and annual statutory accounts- The processing of a monthly payroll- Completion and submission of national statistical returns- Training and providing assistance to other finance team members - Forecasts of remissions in accordance with the 5 year development plan- Balance sheet & income and expenditure account reconciliations- Year end submission of HMRC reports - Reconciliation of boarding house accounts and reporting to management on income and expenditure of each boarding house - IT projects and development within the department and to ensure integration throughout the organisation - Recruitment and retention of finance staff and preparing training plans necessary for the department

Responsibilities Include:- Cashiering duties and maintenance of the sales ledger- Termly invoicing of school fees- Credit control and reporting to management on debtors- Nominal ledger reconciliations- Processing of the monthly payroll- Maintenance of the finance information system

Accounts Co-ordinator Responsibilities Include:- Stock Reconciliation- Reconciliation of debtors and creditors accounts- Reporting to management of outstanding debtors- Nominal reconciliations including bank reconciliation- Monthly production of management accounts for 2 subsidiaries- Quarterly preparation of a VAT return- Supervision of 2 finance administrator staff

Responsibility for all ledgers stock, creditor, debtors and vehicle management