Kirsty Ward

Role Summary
Responsible for managing daily cashflow forecasting and wider finance processes within a Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) contracting environment. Worked closely with the CEO and Board-level Directors to provide real-time financial insights, while also supporting the delivery of accurate management accounts, reconciliations, and supplier payments.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements

• Oversaw daily cashflow forecasting and monitoring, a critical function during a period of tight liquidity.
• Worked directly with the CEO, Procurement Director, and Commercial Team to provide accurate financial data, enabling informed business decisions.
• Took ownership of prioritising supplier payments and monitoring receipts, safeguarding supplier relationships and business continuity.
• Processed employee expenses via Concur, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely reimbursement.
• Performed bank reconciliations, resolving discrepancies promptly and ensuring integrity of financial records.
• Assisted with month-end processes, including accruals and prepayments, to support accurate financial reporting.
• Maintained and supported the purchase ledger, ensuring suppliers were paid on time and queries resolved efficiently.
• Contributed to cross-functional financial planning by aligning outgoing payments with receipts, improving cash control.
• Completed a Management Accounts role for a property business, further developing reporting and financial control skills.
• Assisted with preparation of monthly management accounts and financial statements, providing insights to leadership.
• Gained sector-specific knowledge working in an M&E contracting environment, supporting finance operations with industry-specific considerations.

Greggs (Nov 2016 – Sep 2022)
Progressed from Team Member to Supervisor over six years, taking on increasing responsibility for financial controls, staff management, and operational performance.

• Managed cash handling processes, including tills, daily cashing up, safe balancing, and banking, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Oversaw staff rota's, budgets, and stock levels, identifying variances and taking action to improve cost efficiency and sales performance.
• Monitored store financial performance, contributing to improved profitability through effective planning and resource management.
• Assisted with reconciliations, stock ordering, and waste reduction, strengthening cost control.
• Led and coached team members to consistently meet operational and financial performance targets.
• Handled escalated customer issues while maintaining high service standards and business reputation.