Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Sally Taylor

Taunton,SOM

Summary

Experienced bookkeeper with expertise in Xero, delivering precise financial management. Achieved a 400% increase in turnover through effective budgeting and planning as a publican. Extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry enhances operational efficiency. Skilled in relationship building and administrative support, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality in financial operations.

Overview

44
44
years of professional experience

Work History

Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer

Stoke St Gregory Parish Council
TAUNTON, Somerset
2023.10 - Current

Manage day-to-day financial operations to ensure accuracy.

Preparing year-end financial accounts for review and compliance.

Coordinate budgeting and precept setting processes.

Facilitate meetings administration, including detailed minute taking.

Address inquiries and requests from parishioners and councillors.

Bookkeeper/Accountant Part Time

Self Employed
Various
2016.01 - Current

Managed bookkeeping and self-assessment submissions for individuals and companies, utilizing Xero and QuickBooks.

Business Administrator (22hpw)

Willowset Preschool, Wrap Around Care and Holiday Club
Stoke St Gregory
2017.10 - 2026.03

Provided all support functions to the operational team, including financial management and administration.

Specific responsibility for:

Bookkeeping

Financial and performance review

Management Accounts

Budgeting and Planning

Operating Payroll

Invoice Management and Billing

Bookings Administration

Communications

General Office Management

Various - Chef, Barmaid, Waitress, Bookkeeper

The Rose and Crown Public House
Stoke St Gregory
2015.09 - 2019.09

Chef/waitress/bookkeeper

Accounts Senior Part Time (20hpw)

R Sutton Associates Ltd
Highbridge
2016.09 - 2017.10

Completion of personal and company tax returns to HMRC and Companies House.

Advising clients on record keeping, accounting policies and strategic tax planning.

Prepared client accounts from paper records, spreadsheets, and accounting packages (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage) to ensure accurate financial reporting.

Coordinated implementation of auto enrollment for clients, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and smooth transitions.

Supervised payroll bureau function to maintain compliance and timely processing for client payroll needs.

Relief Chef/Food Safety Consultant

Self Employed
Various
2016.09 - 2016.11
Whilst looking for a role in finance, I needed to work, so offered a relief chef service to public houses.  Also provided consultancy to a café who had recently had a poor Environmental Health inspection.

Payroll Bureau Administrator

R Sutton Associates
Highbridge
2015.12 - 2016.08
Provided payroll services for around 70 clients, with around 900 employees, paid on weekly, fortnightly and monthly basis.  Also ran CIS schemes for clients.  Bookkeeping services for some clients.

Owner of Public House / Head Chef

Self Employed Publican
Burrowbridge, Bridgwater
2008.10 - 2015.07

Took over failing pub with turnover of £60k and increased turnover 400% in two years. Turnover when business sold was £325k.

Managed all functions of the business, covering bookkeeping, personnel, health and safety, and staff rota's. Additionally served as Head Chef.

Cafe Owner and Chef

Self Employed Cafe Owner
Langport
2004.10 - 2008.09
Took on a building set up as a café but had been closed for some months. Took turnover to £150k by the time I sold the business. Ran large scale outside catering cafes at festivals and shows.Dealt with all management, financial, staffing and day to day issues.​

Director of Corporate Services

Somerset Fire Brigade
Taunton
2000.02 - 2004.09
Was the Director with day-to-day responsibility for all non-uniformed activities in the Brigade ie Finance, Personnel, Stores, Transport, Commercial Services.Responsible for preparing and monitoring the budget for the Brigade, as well as identifying areas for budget cuts and costing those accordingly.Attended Chief Officers Group meetings and Council board meetings, presenting to County Councillors.Represented the Brigade on national working groups and forums.

Audit Senior

Bentley Jennison, Chartered Accountants
Bristol
1998.09 - 2000.01
Managed teams of auditors providing internal audit services to further education colleges and district councils throughout the South West.Prepared audit plans and presented these to governing bodies or councillors for approval.​

Information Services Manager

Audit Commission
Bristol
1997.04 - 1998.09
Head of a team of eight responsible for providing information and support to auditors in the field.  This included providing a technical helpline and the production of a weekly technical bulletin.

Senior Auditor

Audit Commission (District Audit)
Bristol
1994.11 - 1997.03
Supervisory role in a team auditing NHS and Local Authorities in the South West.Performed financial audits of year end accounts and operational audits on services provided.Carried out Value For Money (VFM) studies on services eg pharmacy services and patient catering services.Performed benchmarking exercises.​

Management Accountant - Surgical Services

Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust
Taunton
1993.07 - 1994.11

Management Accountant

National Rivers Authority
Bridgwater
1990.04 - 1994.10

Various from Clerical Assistant rising to Senior Finance Assistant

Somerset County Council
Taunton
1982.07 - 1990.03

Education

HND - BTEC Public Sector Finance

Exeter College (BTEC)
Exeter, Devon, UK
1989-01

OND - BTEC Finance

Somerset College of Arts and Technology
Taunton, Somerset, UK
1985-01

OND - BTEC Public Administration

Somerset College of Arts and Technology
Taunton, Somerset, UK
1984-01

O Levels - O Levels

Bishop Fox's Grammar School
Taunton, Somerset, UK
1982-01

Some College (No Degree) - Certified Accountant

Chartered Association of Certified Accountants
Taunton, Somerset, UK

Skills

  • Financial management
  • Budget planning
  • Bookkeeping
  • Payroll management
  • Invoice management
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Office management
  • Confidentiality

References

Relevant referees will be provided on request.

Interests

Huge football fan.

I enjoy going to festivals, and in the Summer have work as a chef in crew catering at festivals.

I like socialising with friends, and have a passion for cooking.

Timeline

Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer

Stoke St Gregory Parish Council
2023.10 - Current

Business Administrator (22hpw)

Willowset Preschool, Wrap Around Care and Holiday Club
2017.10 - 2026.03

Accounts Senior Part Time (20hpw)

R Sutton Associates Ltd
2016.09 - 2017.10

Relief Chef/Food Safety Consultant

Self Employed
2016.09 - 2016.11

Bookkeeper/Accountant Part Time

Self Employed
2016.01 - Current

Payroll Bureau Administrator

R Sutton Associates
2015.12 - 2016.08

Various - Chef, Barmaid, Waitress, Bookkeeper

The Rose and Crown Public House
2015.09 - 2019.09

Owner of Public House / Head Chef

Self Employed Publican
2008.10 - 2015.07

Cafe Owner and Chef

Self Employed Cafe Owner
2004.10 - 2008.09

Director of Corporate Services

Somerset Fire Brigade
2000.02 - 2004.09

Audit Senior

Bentley Jennison, Chartered Accountants
1998.09 - 2000.01

Information Services Manager

Audit Commission
1997.04 - 1998.09

Senior Auditor

Audit Commission (District Audit)
1994.11 - 1997.03

Management Accountant - Surgical Services

Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust
1993.07 - 1994.11

Management Accountant

National Rivers Authority
1990.04 - 1994.10

Various from Clerical Assistant rising to Senior Finance Assistant

Somerset County Council
1982.07 - 1990.03

HND - BTEC Public Sector Finance

Exeter College (BTEC)

OND - BTEC Finance

Somerset College of Arts and Technology

OND - BTEC Public Administration

Somerset College of Arts and Technology

O Levels - O Levels

Bishop Fox's Grammar School

Some College (No Degree) - Certified Accountant

Chartered Association of Certified Accountants
Sally Taylor