Caroline Holcombe
New Milton,Hants
Summary
A highly motivated, detail orientated and organised Head of Finance who is able to work at Board level or within a small team. A proven track record of delivering to tight deadlines, with expertise in digital transformation and streamlining process for maximise optimisation of resources and cost reduction. In addition to my finance role, I have also overseen the Payroll and HR function within an SME where I have gained a reputation as a discreet, caring, thoughtful and inclusive individual who recognises and develops members of my team and someone who is willing to accept new challenges and responsibilities. I am ideally looking to utilise my experience in a SME.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of Finance
Sensee Ltd
09.2025 - 04.2026
- Prepared management accounts and budget-holder reports, identifying significant trends and variances.
- Assisted with the year end audit, working with external auditors to confirm clean financial audits and implementing any improvement suggestions promptly.
- Managed accounts payable and receivable teams, overseeing, raising invoices, reconciling accounts, and processing cash transactions.
- VAT returns
- ONS returns
- Month end reconciliations
- Tracked and logged expenses, ensuring spending remained within approved budgets.
- Business planning and forecasting
- Managed cash flow to optimise liquidity and ensure availability of funds for operational needs.
Head of Finance
Data Track Technology Ltd
08.1991 - 09.2025
- Preparation of monthly management accounts for five companies within the group, including two USA subsidiaries and manufacturing accounts. Analysis of results & commentary to assist budget holders decission making, identifying significant trends and variances.
- VAT returns, HMRC liaison.
- EEC, SD, and statistical returns.
- Month-end reconciliations.
- Managing the accounts and administration teams (up to five staff members), including credit control, factoring, purchase ledger payment runs, expenses, setting advisory company expense limits, and reviewing company policies.
- Business planning and forecasting for investment presentations.
- Managed cash flow to optimise liquidity and ensure availability of funds for operational needs.
- Strategic financial reporting for directors.
- Preparation of year-end accounts for audit. Liaising with external auditors, including Mazars, Alexander & Co, and Eisner Amper (New York), to achieve clean audits and only minor recommendations.
- Part of the management team responsible for achieving and retaining the ISO 9001:2015 certification.
- Led the finance departments digital transformation adopting new software and systems to enhance efficency and reporting.
- Managed financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, to support business objectives.
- Fleet management.
- Handled all Currency exchange transactions.
- Prepared and processed monthly payroll documentation for timely disbursement.
- Handled employee queries regarding pay, tax codes, and deductions, providing clear, informative responses to promote understanding.
- Coordinated with external auditors during financial audits, supplying necessary payroll records and explanations as required.
- Managed pension contributions and liaised with pension providers, ensuring adherence to auto-enrolment regulations.
Accounts Manager
Trulo By Design
- Assisting the Finance Director with the preparation of the monthly & quarterly management accounts.
- Overseeing all credit control functions.
- Preparation of monthly & weekly payroll.
- Reconciliation of all nominal ledger accounts.
- Swimwear Manufacturer
- Reason for leaving: Lack of management accounting duties - Career progression
Management Accountant
McCarthy & Stone
- Homelife Care
- Reason for leaving: Nursing homes sold to BUPA - Redundancy
Sales Ledger Assistant
Bournemouth Motor Car Company
- Reason for leaving: Gained AAT Qualification & wanted to progress career
Accounts/ Wages Clerk
Dormy Hotel
- Ferndown
- Reason for leaving: Career progression
Education
CMI Level 4 - Management & Leadership
06.2021
AAT -
Bournemouth & Poole College
BournemouthBTEC - Business & Finance
Bournemouth & Poole College
BournemouthCSE & GSE - English Language, Mathematics, History, French, Biology, Science, Home economics
Priestlands Secondary School
LymingtonSkills
- Communication
- Analysis and investigation
- Drive
- Commercial awareness
- Self-motivated
- Discretion
- Digital transformation
- Process optimisation
- Team leadership
- Cost control
- Financial software expertise
- Analytical thinker
Custom Section
Computer literate & quick learner on all systems to date, Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Applications: Word and Outlook, Excellent Excel skills, Xero finance & Xero payroll, Sage 50 finance, Sage People Payroll, MAP4, Receipt bank (Dext), ApprovalMax, Expensein, QuickBooks, Pegasus, The Peoples Pension, Vizual HR net - express, Roubler, Bamboo, Infor, Hubspot
References
References can be provided upon request.
Hobbies and Interests
I am passionate about Health, Sport & Fitness including cycling, running, walking & triathlon qualifying in 2021 to represent GB in the age group categories, sprint distance triathlon. I have in the past been a keen horse rider reaching a high standard at dressage. In 2025 I commenced a course of sailing lessons but safe to say that currently you would not want to get in a dinghy with me!! I enjoy 'The great outdoors' in general.
Certification
- Chartered AAT
Accomplishments
- Streamlined workflow by consolidating lengthy processes and redundant documentation that resulted in more effective and timely completion of the month end process.
Timeline
Head of Finance
Sensee Ltd
09.2025 - 04.2026
Head of Finance
Data Track Technology Ltd
08.1991 - 09.2025
Accounts Manager
Trulo By Design
Management Accountant
McCarthy & Stone
Sales Ledger Assistant
Bournemouth Motor Car Company
Accounts/ Wages Clerk
Dormy Hotel
CMI Level 4 - Management & Leadership
AAT -
Bournemouth & Poole College
BTEC - Business & Finance
Bournemouth & Poole College
CSE & GSE - English Language, Mathematics, History, French, Biology, Science, Home economics
Priestlands Secondary School