LOUISE CLEATOR

• Delivered full spectrum of management and financial accounts including budget monitoring, P&L analysis, balance sheet reconciliations, production of year end accounts and submission to Companies House.
• Produced annual budgets and quarterly forecasts, working closely with budget holders, finance business partners and Directors.
• Responsible for monthly VAT returns, submission of Corporate tax liability to HMRC and Government statistical returns.
• Oversaw cashflow management including daily monitoring, weekly and annual forecasting, liaising with the Treasury team at Leeds Council.
• Managed and mentored an Assistant Accountant, overseeing daily tasks, reviewing outputs, and supporting professional development to ensure accurate reporting and team efficiency.
• Heavily involved in testing for VAT and Fixed Asset modules for new ERP system.

Key Achievements:

• Led production of the Statement of Accounts during a two-year vacancy for the Group Financial Accountant, coordinating with the Head of Finance and wider team to deliver under tight deadlines and with limited documentation.
• Implemented a new balance sheet reconciliation process, shifting responsibility to FBPs and embedding monthly reconciliations to avoid heavy year-end workloads.
• Collaborated with West Yorkshire Police post-integration, developing intra-group recharge processes and tailored budget monitoring tools.
• Enhanced monthly budget reports and year end accrual forms, increasing accountability and ease of use for budget holders.

• Produced monthly management accounts for revenue and costs, including payroll, intercompany, accruals/deferrals, and variance analysis presented to Business Partners and the FD.
• Managed weekly reporting on revenue and driver costs, posted payroll journals and quarterly tax charges.
• Prepared balance sheet reconciliations and led quarterly reviews with the FD.

Key Achievements:

• Led successful transfer of revenue processes from Luton to Wakefield, including training, parallel running, and go-live planning.
• Standardised month-end processes across three business units by setting up working groups and developing consistent outputs.
• Acted as Finance Manager during sick leave, leading the team and presenting monthly results to the FD.

• Prepared monthly management accounts, payroll and subcontractor reconciliations, and P&L commentaries.
• Delivered utilisation reporting, key account analysis, and VAT submissions.

Key Achievements:

• Covered two finance roles during recruitment gaps, ensuring continuity and support during transition.
• Enhanced UK bid tracker for board reporting with pivot charts and insights.
• Supported Heathrow audit with detailed payroll analysis.

• Delivered management accounts and forecasts for Group & Operations with detailed variance analysis for Opex and Capex.
• Acted as finance business partner to department heads, supporting budget control and strategic planning.

Key Achievements:

• Supported Oracle Cloud finance system implementation and budgeting tool testing.
• Led financial modelling for head office relocation project.
• Coordinated the first 3-year strategic plan financials and presentation materials.

• Roles included: Growth Opex Management Accountant, Contact Centres Management Accountant, Business Opex/Capex Assistant Accountant.
• Prepared month-end reporting, reconciliations, and commentary for Commercial Finance and Business units.
• Delivered balance sheet reviews and quarterly SOX compliance.

Key Achievements:

• Reduced month-end processing time by one day through task automation and efficiency improvements.
• Streamlined Capex processes and created tools to cut reporting time by over 20 hours per month.