Gavin Blake Email & Phone Number

Broxburn, Gb

Livingston

FCCA fully qualified Chartered Accountant with highly progressive practice covering SMEs throughout the Central Belt of Scotland. Responsible for a varied portfolio of clients including contractors, established family businesses, golf clubs, construction firms and new start-ups with turnover ranging from £100k - £4m+. • Building strong personal and professional bonds with clients through regular meetings and communications, plus prompt replies to queries• Giving training and advice to clients using SAGE, XERO and Quick Books software.• Providing advice on VAT, tax and technical issues to clients, plus business planning, forecasting and reporting information via Futurli software.• Highly proficient in other multiple accounting softwares such as Kashflow, Profit Cents, AutoEntry and Bankstream.• Review and preparation of VAT Returns including EU/ foreign transactions and partial exemption. • Intermediate Excel skills.• Personal tax returns prepared on IRIS and tax planning advice provided for clients.• Annual and Management accounts final review and preparation on IRIS, including full balance sheet reconciliations, plus year end accounts meetings and sign-offs.• Assisting clients to prepare for movement towards digital tax requirements and changes in tax law.• Attending VAT and PAYE inspections and communicating effectively with HMRC.• Liaison with and supervision of payroll and accounts preparation sub- contractors.• Mentoring and supporting more junior accountancy staff, providing advice and training.• Responsible for client on-boarding including new company formations, completing HMRC registrations and setting up online bookkeeping software.

Roslin

Substantially improved the bookkeeping and accountancy function for a growing Electrical and Construction firm. Achievements have included setting up SAGE accounting system, integrating information from IRIS payroll and significantly improving the accuracy of both VAT returns and accounting for the CIS Labour scheme.• SAGE 50 Official Accreditation Stages 1, 2 and 3.• Responsible for all Bookkeeping and accurate entry into Purchase and Sales Ledgers.• Providing Management Accounts using Excel and preparing quarterly VAT Returns.• Reporting through CIS Labour Scheme.• Preparing accounts to Trial Balance.• Preparing invoices and credit control.• Providing advice on VAT issues to Directors.• Setting up and maintaining Nominal Ledger.• Performing regular Bank Reconciliations.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Aug 2012 - Mar 2014 Licensee / General Manager Canons’ Gait, EdinburghProviding extensive management experience in high-profile, modern bar/ restaurant with function room on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. • Managing top Edinburgh Fringe Comedy venue with close attention to all regulatory guidelines and procedures.• Implementing strong control systems using Excel based templates, as in previous pubs, has resulted in a zero variance for cash and consistent stock surpluses.• Maintain good relations with auditors. Jun 1998 – Aug 2012 Licensee / General Manager Leslie’s Bar, EdinburghManaging all aspects of running one of Edinburgh’s most famous original Victorian bars. Increased turnover and profitability by 10% (£40k) in first year ensured business outperformed the sector in subsequent years. Key Achievements: EUSA Whisky Bar of the Year finalist 2011SLTN Whisky Bar of the Year finalist 2006Evening News Pub of the Year finalist 2000 and 2004CAMRA Edinburgh Pub of the Year winner 2002 CAMRA Good Beer Guide listing every yearHighly reviewed on the Internet pub review websites: www.beerintheevening.com and www.qype.co.uk.Jun 1995 – Jun 1998 Licensee / General Manager The Golden Rule, EdinburghIncreased turnover and profitability by 10% (£40k) in first year.

Xero Partner Certification, Accountancy

Acca, Qualifiacation Exams, Accountancy

Sage Official Accreditation, Accountancy

Post-Graduate Diploma In Hospitality Management, Hospitality Administration/Management

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Business Organisation (General Degree), Ba