Caroline Lowe
Summary
Detail-oriented finance professional with extensive expertise in financial record keeping, accounts reconciliation, and payroll management. Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel functions such as pivot tables and VLOOKUP, alongside experience with Sage Line 50, Sage 200, Sage Payroll, and SAP. Skilled in client and stakeholder relations, tax compliance, audit support, and systems implementation. Adept at managing accounts payable and receivable while ensuring accurate month-end reporting and debtor management. Committed to leveraging financial analysis skills to support strategic decision-making and drive organisational success.
Offering strong foundation in HR principles and payroll processes, with knack for problem-solving and communication. Knowledgeable about fostering positive workplace relationships and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
4023
4023
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Assistant Accountant
Twycross Zoo
, Leicestershire
07.2025 - 01.2026
- Monthly payroll processing for approximately 150 staff
- Monitor accounts payable and receivable statuses, keeping financial records up-to-date.
- Debtors and creditors control accounts
- Bank and balance sheet reconciliations
- Assist Management Accountant with month-end and reporting
- Ad hoc accounting and finance duties
- Respond swiftly to queries from clients regarding their invoices or payments made.
- Maintain electronic files in organised manner which ensured easy retrieval during audits or inspections.
- Coordinate payment runs whilst adhering strictly to policy guidelines.
- Maintain company purchase and sales ledgers.
- Manage payroll by tracking employee hours and entitlements.
- Helped research and resolve financial discrepancies to reduce errors.
Assistant Accountant
Countrywide Electrical Services Ltd
, West Midlands
03.2006 - 07.2025
- Sales and purchase ledger processing and general ledger entries
- Invoice preparation, payment processing and reconciliations
- Control account reconciliations and query resolution
- VAT reconciliation and returns
- Month-end processes including accruals, prepayments and WIP
- Weekly payroll for employees and subcontractors
- Absence and sickness tracking
- Health and safety compliance
- Support during annual external audits
- CIS management and HMRC returns
- Recruitment and training
- Maintaining personnel records and HR documentation
Account Manager
Dedicated Business Services
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Supported financial management by overseeing accounts up to trial balance using Sage Line 50 and Excel for company and seven key clients.
- Assisted in implementing new system for recording billing hours for clients.
- Administered payroll functions for company.
Finance Assistant
Wilson Connolly Housing
, Kent
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Performed accounting functions to ensure accuracy in financial reporting and effective cash flow management, encompassing costing analysis, bank reconciliations, cash book, petty cash, and purchase ledger processes using SAP.
Accounts Assistant
Swale Housing Association
01.1999 - 01.2000
Accounts Manager
CMB AGR Services Ltd
01.1996 - 01.1999
Partner / Practice Manager
Parrock Street Veterinary Surgery
01.1987 - 01.1995
Education
MSc - Criminology and Criminal Psychology
Essex University
BSc (Hons) - Criminology with Psychological Studies
Open University
BSc Open Degree - undefined
Open University
HNC - Business Studies
Mid-Kent College
Skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office including advanced Excel (pivot tables and VLOOKUP)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Sage Line 50, Sage 200, Sage Payroll, SAP
- Accounts reconciliation
- Debtor management
- Payroll management
- Financial record keeping
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Client and stakeholder relations
- Month-end reporting
- Ad hoc financial analysis
- Invoice processing
- Tax compliance
- Audit support
- Systems implementation
REFERENCES
References available upon request
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Treasurer of a local social club with full responsibility for budgeting, financial reporting, and preparation of accounts to trial balance.
Timeline
Assistant Accountant
Twycross Zoo
07.2025 - 01.2026
Assistant Accountant
Countrywide Electrical Services Ltd
03.2006 - 07.2025
Account Manager
Dedicated Business Services
01.2005 - 01.2006
Finance Assistant
Wilson Connolly Housing
01.2000 - 01.2003
Accounts Assistant
Swale Housing Association
01.1999 - 01.2000
Accounts Manager
CMB AGR Services Ltd
01.1996 - 01.1999
Partner / Practice Manager
Parrock Street Veterinary Surgery
01.1987 - 01.1995
BSc (Hons) - Criminology with Psychological Studies
Open University
BSc Open Degree - undefined
Open University
MSc - Criminology and Criminal Psychology
Essex University
HNC - Business Studies
Mid-Kent College