- I run a local snooker league managing 34 clubs expectations and over 250 players
- Running annual prize presentation evening for local snooker league
Lee Thomson
Wolverhampton,West Midlands
Summary
Accomplished Senior Finance Officer with extensive experience in financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and data analysis. Proven track record in developing successful processes and policies, leading to significant improvements in organisational efficiency and cost savings. Demonstrated expertise in financial forecasting, budget management, and performance tracking using business intelligence tools such as Power Bi. Strong leadership skills evidenced by mentoring teams to achieve strategic goals and enhance service delivery. Adept at stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution, ensuring seamless collaboration across departments. Career goal: to leverage financial acumen and strategic planning skills to drive organisational success in a senior finance leadership role. Strategic Senior Finance Officer with expertise in financial reporting and regulatory compliance. Develops comprehensive performance reports that guide senior management decisions and implements effective processes to enhance service delivery. Leads a high-performing team by fostering strong interdepartmental relationships and mentoring staff to achieve organisational goals. Detail-oriented Senior Finance Officer skilled in data analysis and financial forecasting. Ensures compliance with the Care Act 2014 while providing ad-hoc financial analysis to support informed decision-making. Tracks organisational performance against objectives, revamping strategies to meet and exceed targets. Proactive Senior Finance Officer demonstrating strengths in process improvement and team development. Adapts financial operations to enhance efficiency, achieving cost savings without compromising service quality. Committed to continuous improvement and empowering staff through effective training and mentorship. Results-driven Senior Finance Officer with strong track record in financial management, budgeting, and strategic planning. Specialises in streamlining financial processes to maximise efficiency and profitability. Demonstrates exceptional problem-solving abilities, ensuring compliance and accuracy in all financial operations. Delivers impactful insights and recommendations to support business growth and sustainability. Finance professional with solid background in managing financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Adept at ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and supporting strategic financial planning. Skilled in using financial software to streamline processes and improve accuracy. Bringing solid grounding in finance, with knack for problem-solving and strategic thinking. Adept at building relationships and communicating complex information clearly. Proven ability to adapt and learn quickly, ensuring efficient financial operations. Eager to contribute to team-focused environment and drive financial success.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Finance Officer
Staffordshire County Council
Stafford, Staffordshire
09.2022 - Current
- Created reports on team performance using Power Bi and PowerPoint.
- Prepared comprehensive monthly perfromance reports, highlighting key metrics and trends for senior management review.
- Developed successful processes and policies, meeting organisational and service needs and implementing improvements.
- Kept organisation in compliance with the Care Act 2014 and SCC Adult Social Care local policy.
- Selected and mentored all staff, creating a successful team.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with other ACFS Teams, Social Work Teams and other departments within SCC
- Provided ad-hoc financial analysis and reports as requested by senior management, aiding in informed decision-making.
- Recorded financial transactions using various computer systems, such as Care DIrector and the use of the DWP Searchlight system for financial assessment purposes.
- Oversee day-to-day functioning of the Financial Assessment Team.
- Tracked organizational performance against objectives and revamped strategies to better meet targets.
- Evaluated departmental performance and developed improvements to key operations.
- Used various software, such as Power Bi and to track and monitor team performance.
- Authorised use of teams and materials for specific departments and projects.
- Led the implementation of a new financial software system, improving data accuracy and reporting capabilities.
- Reviewed and improved processes, achieving cost savings without compromising on quality or service.
Financial Assessment Officer
Wolverhampton City Council
Wolverhampton, West Midlands
01.2009 - 09.2022
- Prepared invoices based on contract terms and distributed to customers.
- Rectified accounting errors to eliminate transaction discrepancies.
- Investigated and helped resolve collections and billing disputes
- Archived financial documents within orderly systems for ease of use.
- Produced accurate financial statements for internal use, customer reviews and regulatory submissions.
- Use of DWP Searchlight System to carry out 'light touch' Financial Assessments
- Use of internal computer systems i.e CareFirst & Agresso to complete financial assessments and issue the invoices for contributions to care.
- Benefit maximisation
- Complying with Adult Social Care Policy & The Care Act 2014 to complete fair and accurate financial assessments.
- Liaising with other internal departments i.e. brokerage and debt recovery
- Dealing with customer queries and complaints
- Keeping up to date with prccessess and benefits
- Investigating financial transactions
Payments Officer
Wolverhampton City Council
Wolverhampton, West Midlands
08.2002 - 12.2009
- Prepared detailed reports for senior management, outlining operational performance and strategic recommendations.
- Reviewed and updated operational procedures, ensuring alignment with current best practices and regulatory requirements.
- Investigated complaints and took corrective actions, improving service quality and customer satisfaction.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favourable terms and cost savings for the organisation.
- Analysed information and evaluated results to resolve pending cases.
- Facilitated conflict resolution, mediating disputes to achieve peaceful outcomes.
- Oversaw inventory management, ensuring adequate supplies while maintaining budgetary constraints.
- Established strong connections with business contacts and leveraged relationships to drive achievement of financial or operational goals.
- Set up business contracts, obtained signatures and processed paperwork.
- Set monthly KPIs and tracked performance against objectives.
Senior Safeguarding Administrator
Wolverhampton City Council
Wolverhampton, West Midlands
08.2007 - 03.2008
- Managed daily administrative tasks, including scheduling meetings and organising files, to support office efficiency.
- Coordinated office maintenance and repairs, liaising with contractors to ensure a functional and safe workplace.
- Administered physical and digital filing systems, keeping records well-organised and easily retrievable for team members.
- Managed client communications by answering phones and corresponding through email.
- Oversaw day-to-day office operations such as organising correspondence, managing incoming calls and creating business records.
- Supported managers with proactive, efficient clerical support to maintain smooth-running operations.
- Delivered high-quality customer service by addressing client enquiries, resolving issues, and maintaining satisfaction levels.
- Completed daily billing, collections and reporting duties.
- Managed client correspondence, order tracking and data communications.
- Developed and maintained effective communication channels between departments, enhancing organisational workflow.
- Monitored and controlled office inventory, ensuring adequate supply levels, timely product ordering and efficient management of company resources.
- Collaborated closely with other managers to smooth and improve office operations.
- Kept office operations running smoothly and efficiently by implementing procedure and policy improvements.
- Conducted comprehensive database management, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records for efficient information retrieval.
- Maintained impeccable office organisation to support efficiency, professionalism and performance objectives.
- Took messages from clients and relayed them to relevant staff promptly.
- Assisted in project management activities, including planning, execution, and monitoring, to meet objectives and deadlines.
- Processed invoices, prepared financial reports, and monitored budget expenditures, contributing to fiscal accuracy.
- Supervised junior administrative staff, providing training and guidance to enhance team skills and performance.
- Sat in on meetings, hearings and conferences to document activities.
- Monitored compliance with health and safety regulations, conducting regular audits to promote a safe working environment.
- Liaised with suppliers, negotiated contracts, and oversaw office supplies inventory to maintain optimal stock levels.
- Oversaw the preparation and distribution of internal communications, such as newsletters and memos, to keep staff informed.
- Facilitated new hire orientation sessions and managed employee records, supporting HR processes and compliance.
- Implemented a new electronic filing system, significantly improving document retrieval times and office organisation.
- Managed and coordinated talented clerical support team of 8.
- Reviewed and updated safeguarding records regularly to comply with legal requirements.
- Established a safeguarding committee to oversee the implementation of safeguarding initiatives.
- Created and maintained a central database for all safeguarding documentation for easy access.
- Provided support and guidance to individuals raising safeguarding concerns, maintaining confidentiality.
- Facilitated meetings with safeguarding leads to discuss and resolve complex cases.
Senior Payments Officer
Wolverhampton City Council
Wolverhampton, West Midlands
01.2006 - 07.2007
- Managed team of officers, providing leadership and guidance for operational efficiency.
- Prepared detailed reports for senior management, outlining operational performance and strategic recommendations.
- Responded to emergency calls for service, providing timely assistance and support to individuals in distress.
- Reviewed and updated operational procedures, ensuring alignment with current best practices and regulatory requirements.
- Conducted employee evaluations and reviews to identify and recommend areas for improvement.
- Led training sessions on regulatory compliance, enhancing team's knowledge and skills.
- Investigated complaints and took corrective actions, improving service quality and customer satisfaction.
- Coordinated with external agencies to facilitate smooth execution of joint operations.
- Assessed officer actions and complaints to identify any issues with unprofessionalism, performance issues or criminal activity.
- Analysed incident reports, identifying trends and developing strategies to reduce future occurrences.
- Participated in recruitment panels, selecting candidates who aligned with organisational values and objectives.
- Facilitated workshops on conflict resolution, enhancing team cohesion and problem-solving capabilities.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favourable terms and cost savings for the organisation.
- Observed potential threats to security of building, visitors and personnel.
- Oversaw inventory management, ensuring adequate supplies while maintaining budgetary constraints.
- Managed budget for departmental projects, tracking expenditures and adjusting plans to meet financial targets.
- Delivered solutions to customers based on comprehensive research and needs analyses.
- Set monthly KPIs and tracked performance against objectives to monitor an optimise strategies.
Customer Services Transport Planner
EWS Manufacturing
Wolverhampton, West Midlands
01.2001 - 05.2002
- Supported commercial and residential area setups and removals, transporting large, heavy equipment securely.
- Applied advanced modelling techniques to predict future transport demand and inform long-term strategic planning.
- Investigated area needs and user demand to devise new transport solutions.
- Completed reporting and recording of all actions and instructions to facilitate project accountability.
- Provided exceptional customer service by responding promptly to queries and concerns related to delivery of our products.
- Liaised with Subject Matter Experts (SME)s for comprehensive planning and informed decision-making.
- Advised clients on transport matters including access and sustainability.
- Prepared detailed reports and presentations on transport planning projects, highlighting key findings and recommendations for stakeholders.
Production Controller
Goodyear GB Ltd
Wolverhampton, West Midlands
09.1991 - 12.2000
- Managed inventory levels, ordering supplies as necessary to maintain continuous production.
- Negotiated with suppliers to secure the best prices for materials, improving profit margins.
- Supported decision-making and growth planning activities by generating and sharing production reports with management teams.
- Calculated quantities of materials needed at specific intervals for seamless manufacturing, construction or other production programmes.
- Implemented cost-saving measures without compromising on product quality.
- Modified production schedules to accommodate changes to customer orders, production capacity and performance.
- Communicated production plans and targets to employees and aligned resources towards meeting target objectives.
- Managed flow of work and materials between departments for smooth production of products.
- Handled transport of finished products to warehouses or clients, creating space for additional production activities.
- Assessed manufacturing processes to identify shortcomings and recommend improvements.
- Organised downtime for routine machine maintenance to extend machine's useful life.
- Planned manufacturing activities to manufacture high-quality products at low costs.
- Inspected production lines and assessed employee work, offering suggestions for improving work quality and productivity.
- Devised solutions to manufacturing problems, enabling achievement of production targets.
- Reviewed and updated standard operating procedures to reflect best practices.
- Worked with quality assurance teams in developing and implementing quality assurance standards for new and existing products.
- Liaised with managers in matching workers to relevant tasks for improved productivity.
- Requisitioned inventory and inspected stock for defects or flaws, returning defective supplies to vendors for replacement.
- Notified managers of resource requirements after identifying need for technical resources in production lines.
- Produced production schedules for use in resource planning and budgeting activities.
- Contacted suppliers and investigated delays to inventory shipments to prevent production delays and revenue loss.
- Analysed production data to identify trends and areas for improvement in processes.
- Acted as a key point of contact for client queries related to production status and timelines.
- Coordinated production schedules to meet tight deadlines and optimise workflow efficiency.
- Supervised a team of production staff, providing training and support to enhance performance.
- Streamlined communication channels between production and sales teams to improve order fulfilment.
Education
NVQ Level 2 - Business Finance & Law
BTEC
Wolverhampton, WLV01-1992
GCSEs - Various
Pendeford High School
Wolverhampton, WLV01-1991
NVQ Level 2 - Team Leading
Chartered Managment Institute
Wolverhampton, WLVSkills
- Financial reporting
- Regulatory compliance
- Data analysis
- Financial forecasting
- Process improvement
- Budget management
- Microsoft Excel
- Financial software
- Performance tracking
- Team leadership
- Communication skills
- Conflict resolution
- Stakeholder engagement
- Strategic planning
- Risk assessment
- Time-management
- Communication excellence
- Technical troubleshooting
- Communication proficiency
- Project Management
- Quality Assurance
- Negotiation
- Audit coordination
- Invoice processing
- Auditing competencies
- Financial data interpretation
- Proactive approach
- Resource allocation
- Business intelligence tools usage
- Data protection policies
- Financial literacy
- Accounts Payable and Receivable (AP/AR)
- Programme oversight
- Effective delegation
- Financial acumen
- Spreadsheet mastery
- Accounts payable management
- Effective public speaking
Interests
Timeline
Senior Finance Officer
Staffordshire County Council
09.2022 - Current
Financial Assessment Officer
Wolverhampton City Council
01.2009 - 09.2022
Senior Safeguarding Administrator
Wolverhampton City Council
08.2007 - 03.2008
Senior Payments Officer
Wolverhampton City Council
01.2006 - 07.2007
Payments Officer
Wolverhampton City Council
08.2002 - 12.2009
Customer Services Transport Planner
EWS Manufacturing
01.2001 - 05.2002
Production Controller
Goodyear GB Ltd
09.1991 - 12.2000
NVQ Level 2 - Business Finance & Law
BTEC
GCSEs - Various
Pendeford High School
NVQ Level 2 - Team Leading
Chartered Managment Institute