Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Affiliations
Timeline
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Cerisse Gardner-Lewis

Cerisse Gardner-Lewis

Reading,West Berkshire

Summary

I am a motivated and enthusiastic professional with a strong interest in finance and administration. Always eager to learn, I enjoy developing new skills and taking on challenges that help me grow both personally and professionally. I thrive in organised and efficient environments and take pride in my attention to detail and strong organisational skills. Friendly, adaptable, and approachable, I work well as part of a team but am equally confident working independently. I bring positivity, reliability, and a can-do attitude to every role.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work history

Financial Administrator

Abbey Windows Thames Valley Ltd
Reading
10.2022 - 08.2025
  • Proficient knowledge of Sage accounting system as well as CRM software.
  • Advanced in using all Microsoft products, specifically Excel and Word.
  • Posting of bank payments and statement reconciliations.
  • Accounts payable/receivable.
  • Credit control for current and aged debt.
  • running financial reports for higher management.
  • B2B transactions with various organisations.
  • Processing of weekly payroll for CIS staff and submitting monthly CIS returns.
  • Petty cash reconciliation.
  • Oversee payroll functions, such as maintaining timekeeping information and reporting payroll information such as staff sickness and holiday.
  • Commission reports and calculations for sales staff including expenses.
  • Accurate data entry on a large scale.
  • Customer service- answering the phone and helping customer with queries and complaints.
  • General office management for the accounts department and office administration for multiple departments within the company.
  • Facilities management- acquire, distribute, and stored supplies.
  • Manage paper and electronic filing systems by recording information, updating paperwork and maintaining documents, such as attendance records and correspondence.

Accounts & Admin Manager

Hyde News & Pictures Ltd
Reading
02.2018 - 10.2022
  • Responsible for the full financial management of the company including banking, invoicing, credit control and sales ledger.
  • Processing new starter registrations as well as processing payroll.
  • Submitting VAT returns as well as annual company account and corporation tax.
  • Using QuickBooks for bank reconciliations and in sending out invoices to customers.
  • B2B transactions with various organisations.
  • Credit control-liaising with customers to ensure invoices are paid in a timely manner.
  • AP/AR
  • Responsible for all the admin within the company which consists of accurate data entry within an internal system.
  • Using Microsoft excel and word on a daily basis which has allowed me to gain excellent skills.
  • Oversaw company compliance with policy development, tracking and reporting.
  • Prepared and reviewed operational reports and schedules.
  • Reading through regulations and procedural guidelines to ensure comprehension and compliance.

Catering Unit Manager

Baxterstorey
Reading
03.2013 - 02.2018
  • Worked within the hospitality industry managing a contract catering business unit.
  • Participated in process improvement initiatives that optimised customer experience and enhanced workflows.
  • Liaised with leadership to review and implement procedures and systems.
  • Managed and responsible for all hospitality staff members.
  • Scheduled staff hours and allocated resources to maximize team member performance.
  • Completed health and safety assessments and training for staff members.
  • Monitored compliance with health and fire regulations to reduce risk.
  • Responsible for reaching the sales targets of the unit.
  • Estimated food and beverage consumption to determine purchasing requirements.
  • Used innovative marketing techniques to maximize revenue.
  • Communicated with parties to verify menus and update changes.
  • Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
  • Oversaw financial details by managing receipts, billings and expenditures.
  • Prior to this position, I was a qualified chef and working within the catering industry. My growth and experience allowed me to gain skills that allowed me to transition into administration and finance.
  • Maintained food and equipment inventories to support business demand.
  • Kept accurate records in compliance with sanitation and food service requirements.

Education

AAT level 2&3 diploma - Accounting

Online Learning
09.2025 -

Level 2 Diploma - Digital Marketing

The Skills Network
02.2025 - 07.2025

Level 2 - Emergency First Aid

First Aid Training
01.2024 - undefined

Level 2 Diploma - Principals of Business & Administration

Vision2Learn
01.2023 - undefined

Level 3 - Food Preparation and Cooking

NVQ
01.2004 - undefined

Level 3 - Health & Safety

NVQ
01.2004 - undefined

A Level Experience - Maths, English, Economics

Dominican Convent High School
01.2000 - /2001

Skills

  • Accounts receivable management
  • Accounts payable management
  • Bank statement reconciliation
  • Discrepancy investigations
  • Inter-company accounts
  • Account reconciliation
  • Cash flow ,management
  • Petty cash management
  • Credit control methods
  • Payment scheduling
  • Month-end closing
  • Expense tracking
  • Payroll processing
  • Microsoft Excel expertise
  • Accounting software knowledge
  • Supplier liaison capabilities
  • Spreadsheet development
  • Report preparation
  • Data entry
  • Organisation
  • Planning
  • Attention to detail
  • Office administration
  • File organization
  • Problem solving

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

  • Prior to 2013, I was a qualified chef and working within the catering industry since gaining my qualifications in 2004.
  • My growth and experience allowed me to gain skills that allowed me to transition into management, administration and finance.

Affiliations

  • Baking
  • Crocheting
  • Designing colouring books
  • Listening to music
  • Spending time with friends and family

Timeline

AAT level 2&3 diploma - Accounting

Online Learning
09.2025 -

Level 2 Diploma - Digital Marketing

The Skills Network
02.2025 - 07.2025

Level 2 - Emergency First Aid

First Aid Training
01.2024 - undefined

Level 2 Diploma - Principals of Business & Administration

Vision2Learn
01.2023 - undefined

Financial Administrator

Abbey Windows Thames Valley Ltd
10.2022 - 08.2025

Accounts & Admin Manager

Hyde News & Pictures Ltd
02.2018 - 10.2022

Catering Unit Manager

Baxterstorey
03.2013 - 02.2018

Level 3 - Food Preparation and Cooking

NVQ
01.2004 - undefined

Level 3 - Health & Safety

NVQ
01.2004 - undefined

A Level Experience - Maths, English, Economics

Dominican Convent High School
01.2000 - /2001
Cerisse Gardner-Lewis