Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Training
References
Timeline
Generic

Sophie Williamson

Plymouth

Summary

Skilled senior cost controller bringing 10 years of experience working within finance and cost control teams. Due to management accountant capabilities, the financial budget I was accountable for had less then a 2% difference on forecast to actual at year end for 5 consecutive years. Proven leadership and success in leading teams in achieving goals and deadlines. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Cost Controller

Babcock International
02.2023 - Current
  • To prepare forecasts and budgets for Project managers for them to review and then provide to accountant for submission.
  • To monitor and review labour hours in conjunction with accountant and project managers.
  • To include accruals for missing time sheets.
  • To report to project managers on an weekly basis highlighting any issues found and ensuring the accountant is kept informed.
  • To ensure all cost information is captured and audible records are complete and signed off.
  • To prepare MoD recharge data for the accountant to charge out monthly through the FOO - This data should be accurate, timely and supported with detailed backup
  • Liaise with project managers for labour hours, ensuring new starters, leavers and holiday or absence is captured to ensure accurate labour hours forecast.
  • Provide data and information to stakeholders through monthly reporting and meetings.
  • Reviewed documents and data to give accurate presentations and forecasts to upper management.
  • Worked with both internal and external users to create detailed financial reports.
  • Develop and implement realistic and sustainable plans for delivery of cost control within project / program team and for improvement in service quality and customer satisfaction.

Continuous Improvement Support Advisor

Babcock International
01.2022 - 01.2023
  • Contribute towards departmental and cross-functional projects to improve methods, deliverable and other material
  • Contribute towards creating and implementing strategic improvements for continuous improvement.

Traffic Signals Technician

Plymouth City Council
01.2019 - 01.2022
  • Manage congestion across the highway network
  • Supporting the implementation, management and maintenance of intelligent Transport Systems and Traffic signal systems
  • Work closely with the Network Management Team to provide coverage for the delivery of the Network Control Centre (NCC) service during Peak traffic hours
  • Assist with the running of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) software applications such as Personal Computer Split Cycle Offset Optimization Technique (PCSCOOT), ImCity, ImTrack, Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) Journey Time Monitoring (JTM), responsible for the reactive and proactive day to day management of the NCC systems
  • Assist the Signals Engineers with fault identification and management -responsible for the gathering of fault information prioritization and the Fault Management system to best utilize available resources to maximize safety and minimize delay
  • Raising of chargeable works in the range of £200 to £75,000
  • Authorizing Invoices
  • Project Management –Assist with installation of traffic signal and ITS systems delivered both internally and by developers, advising colleagues in SP&I (Strategic Planning & Infrastructure)
  • Site inspections – carrying out preventative or reactive site visits to ensure the safe operation of traffic signal infrastructure
  • Assist with the Signal Engineers with the Development and Sign off from all Traffic Signal and ITS designs
  • Strategy –provide technical support in the development of PCCs transport strategy
  • Assist with the setting, monitoring and performance standards and expectations of our stakeholders.

Finance Assistant

Plymouth City Council
01.2013 - 01.2019
  • Responsible for developing monthly and yearly financial reports showing analysis of the financial accounts and forecasting
  • Compiling and exchanging orally or in writing financial or other information, to clients, senior finance colleagues and to team members ensuring all required financial and other procedures are met
  • Presenting reports and data at meetings with service managers, appropriately dealing with any queries raised
  • Analyze & interpret varied data as part of budget monitoring, checking all service areas for discrepancies, investigating and consulting with budget holders to solve varied problems and develop solutions over the short & long term
  • Planning and organizing of own work in consultation with senior finance colleagues, demonstrating good organizational skills by agreeing targets and deadlines, ensuring effective and efficient use of the financial systems
  • Support the Finance Service, improve core financial services and develop an effective and consistent financial management partnership with clients
  • Prepare working papers in an acceptable format for auditors, converting data from existing systems, ensuring that these are presented in an accurate and detailed format
  • Liaise with and maintaining good working relationships with outside agencies and departments
  • Ensure that financial transactions comply with accounting practice and the council’s financial regulation
  • Handle and process manual or computerized information where care, accuracy, confidentiality, and security are important
  • Create and maintain spreadsheets, collating financial information to complete CIPFA and central government returns such as RO, RA and S251
  • Ensure client confidentiality is maintained by complying with the Data Protection Act, keeping employee information secure in compromising circumstances such as restructures
  • Respond to the Freedom of Information Act as and when requested
  • Prepare budgets and budget monitoring
  • Accounting for very large sums of money, responsible for accounting for individual service areas such as Children Social Care, Schools, Homes & Communities, and others
  • Making realistic projections for expenditure and income, realigning budgets to meet the needs of the service to ensure that budgets are spent appropriately
  • Providing timely financial advice to budget managers to ensure consistency and accuracy of accruals and prepayment at year end
  • Identifying and promoting cost-reducing measures
  • Updating & entering journals for sales revenue and other transactions
  • Processing of sales invoices, periodical payments, and credit notes
  • Contribute to team plans and reports, supporting senior accountants and budget managers, providing advice, and attending meetings and other accounting functions when required.

Education

APM PFQ - Pass -

ILX
01.2023

AAT level 2 & 3 -

A Plus training
01.2016

Intermediate & Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Accounting -

Financial & Legal Skills Partnership
01.2013

Additional Applied Science – C grade -

Coombe Dean Secondary School
01.2013

English – C grade -

Coombe Dean Secondary School
01.2013

Applications of Mathematics – B grade -

Coombe Dean Secondary School
01.2013

Media Studies – C grade -

Coombe Dean Secondary School
01.2013

AW2 in ICT – Distinction -

Coombe Dean Secondary School
01.2013

Skills

  • Financial Forecasting
  • Variance Analysis
  • Financial Document Review
  • Excellent time management and ability to prioritize
  • Management Accounting
  • Excellent problem solving and methodical approach
  • Financial Planning
  • Budget Preparation
  • Cost Accounting
  • Strong written and verbal communication
  • Staff Management
  • Highly organized and proactive

Training

  • Intermediate Excel Training
  • Analyzing Data More Effectively in Excel Training
  • Using Data from Different Sources in Excel Training
  • Risk Management Training
  • Data protection Training
  • Trade Controls Training
  • Fraud awareness Training
  • Conflict Resolution Training
  • Presentation skills Training
  • Cyber Security Awareness Training
  • Business Ethics and Conduct Awareness Training
  • Anti-Bribery Training
  • Manual handling Training
  • Health & safety Training
  • Equality & Diversity Training
  • Emergency first aid at work training
  • Mandatory Babcock online learning

References

Available on request

Timeline

Senior Cost Controller

Babcock International
02.2023 - Current

Continuous Improvement Support Advisor

Babcock International
01.2022 - 01.2023

Traffic Signals Technician

Plymouth City Council
01.2019 - 01.2022

Finance Assistant

Plymouth City Council
01.2013 - 01.2019

APM PFQ - Pass -

ILX

AAT level 2 & 3 -

A Plus training

Intermediate & Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Accounting -

Financial & Legal Skills Partnership

Additional Applied Science – C grade -

Coombe Dean Secondary School

English – C grade -

Coombe Dean Secondary School

Applications of Mathematics – B grade -

Coombe Dean Secondary School

Media Studies – C grade -

Coombe Dean Secondary School

AW2 in ICT – Distinction -

Coombe Dean Secondary School

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