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