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
10.2023 - 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
01.2016 - 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
10.2017 - 03.2026

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
09.2015 - 09.2019

Chef/waitress/bookkeeper

Accounts Senior Part Time (20hpw)

R Sutton Associates Ltd
Highbridge
09.2016 - 10.2017

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
09.2016 - 11.2016
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
12.2015 - 08.2016
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
10.2008 - 07.2015

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
10.2004 - 09.2008
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
02.2000 - 09.2004
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
09.1998 - 01.2000
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
04.1997 - 09.1998
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
11.1994 - 03.1997
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
07.1993 - 11.1994

Management Accountant

National Rivers Authority
Bridgwater
04.1990 - 10.1994

Various from Clerical Assistant rising to Senior Finance Assistant

Somerset County Council
Taunton
07.1982 - 03.1990

Education

HND - BTEC Public Sector Finance

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

OND - BTEC Finance

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

OND - BTEC Public Administration

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

O Levels - O Levels

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

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
10.2023 - Current

Business Administrator (22hpw)

Willowset Preschool, Wrap Around Care and Holiday Club
10.2017 - 03.2026

Accounts Senior Part Time (20hpw)

R Sutton Associates Ltd
09.2016 - 10.2017

Relief Chef/Food Safety Consultant

Self Employed
09.2016 - 11.2016

Bookkeeper/Accountant Part Time

Self Employed
01.2016 - Current

Payroll Bureau Administrator

R Sutton Associates
12.2015 - 08.2016

Various - Chef, Barmaid, Waitress, Bookkeeper

The Rose and Crown Public House
09.2015 - 09.2019

Owner of Public House / Head Chef

Self Employed Publican
10.2008 - 07.2015

Cafe Owner and Chef

Self Employed Cafe Owner
10.2004 - 09.2008

Director of Corporate Services

Somerset Fire Brigade
02.2000 - 09.2004

Audit Senior

Bentley Jennison, Chartered Accountants
09.1998 - 01.2000

Information Services Manager

Audit Commission
04.1997 - 09.1998

Senior Auditor

Audit Commission (District Audit)
11.1994 - 03.1997

Management Accountant - Surgical Services

Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust
07.1993 - 11.1994

Management Accountant

National Rivers Authority
04.1990 - 10.1994

Various from Clerical Assistant rising to Senior Finance Assistant

Somerset County Council
07.1982 - 03.1990

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