Fiona Lee
Sutton-in-Ashfield
Summary
Finance and people-focused professional with 17 years experience, currently serving as Finance Manager at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. Since joining in 2018, contributed to the growth of the Trust and supported the integration of financial systems across the wider organisation, including EMEC Ecology. Passionate about team culture, process improvement, and making a meaningful impact following the Strategic Programme set via the Trust . With a proven ability to lead, train, and develop a high-performing team, consistently delivering to tight deadlines. Bringing a positive, solution-focused mindset and now ready to step into a broader leadership role that fosters further development and challenges.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Finance Manager
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
Nottingham
03.2021 - Current
- Prepare and issue monthly management accounts, enhancing financial visibility.
- Manage and improve financial systems to ensure efficiency and compliance.
- Process payroll accurately and submit on time to meet deadlines.
- Oversee cashflow management, ensuring liquidity and operational stability.
- Execute payment runs to maintain timely supplier transactions.
- Conduct intercompany reconciliations to align financial records across entities.
- Develop annual budgets, facilitating strategic planning and resource allocation.
- Coordinate the agenda and timetable for the annual audit, utilizing SharePoint and Excel to efficiently gather and organize required information.
- Prepared and submit VAT returns for a complex VAT group structure, including a charity and two subsidiaries, each with distinct VAT treatments.
- Lead a strong Finance team of three and two volunteers with varying abilities, fostering professional growth.
Senior Finance Officer
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
09.2018 - 03.2021
- Executed bank reconciliations, payment runs, invoicing, and VAT returns efficiently.
- Enhanced credit control processes while training new team members and volunteers.
- Payroll processing and intercompany reconciliations.
- Managed Finance Officer and contributed to system improvements.
- Refined supplier payment run processes to optimise efficiency.
Management Accountant
Trust Property Solutions
08.2017 - 09.2018
- Managed multi-company bank and intercompany reconciliations
- Handled payroll, VAT returns, supplier management, and expenses
- Supported the Financial Controller with month-end processes and reporting
- Trained junior staff and improved ledger workflows
Accounts Assistant
S&P Casuals Ltd
11.2015 - 07.2017
- Managed international bank reconciliations (GBP, USD, EUR)
- Oversaw intercompany transactions and payroll payments in multiple currencies
- Raised customer invoices and assisted with monthly reporting and supplier contracts
Senior Accounts Assistant
PJ Lilley Ltd
11.2007 - 11.2015
- Led improvements in credit control and purchase ledger processes
- Produced weekly forecasts, processed payroll, and reconciled credit card/petty cash
- Built strong customer and supplier relationships
- Trained junior staff and acted as Office First Aider
Education
AAT Intermediate & Technician Levels - Finance
Babington Business College
Nottingham 09.2008 - 07.2009
A-Levels - English Language, Music (A Levels), Maths (OCN)
Clarendon College
Nottingham 09.2002 - 07.2004
GCSEs -
Hucknall National Comprehensive
Nottingham 09.1997 - 07.2002
Skills
- Strategic financial planning
- Management accounts and reporting
- Budget preparation, forecasting and cashflow
- Payroll systems (multi-entity) compliance
- Process improvement and systems integration
- People leadership, training and mentoring
- Cross-team collaboration and relationship building
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Meeting compulsory deadlines throughout the month
- Software: Xero, Approval Max, Sage 50, Sage Payroll, Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams and SharePoint
Hobbies and Interests
Running, music, solving puzzles and logical challenges, reading Crime Novels, watching films and spending quality time with family and friends.
Additional information
- Nationality: British
- Full UK Driving Licence (since Nov 2003)
- References: Available upon request
Timeline
Finance Manager
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
03.2021 - Current
Senior Finance Officer
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust
09.2018 - 03.2021
Management Accountant
Trust Property Solutions
08.2017 - 09.2018
Accounts Assistant
S&P Casuals Ltd
11.2015 - 07.2017
AAT Intermediate & Technician Levels - Finance
Babington Business College
09.2008 - 07.2009
Senior Accounts Assistant
PJ Lilley Ltd
11.2007 - 11.2015
A-Levels - English Language, Music (A Levels), Maths (OCN)
Clarendon College
09.2002 - 07.2004
GCSEs -
Hucknall National Comprehensive
09.1997 - 07.2002
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