Experience

• 

  AO Accountancy & Consultancy Services Ltd

  • Castlewellan, Co Down

  • Director

    • Nov 2015 - Present
    • Castlewellan, Co Down

    We provide a full range of accountancy and taxation services to a range of clients, spanning self-employed tradespeople to large partnerships and limited companies. We provide a full range of accounting and tax services which include:• Accounts preparation• Self-Assessment Tax Returns• VAT Accounting• Wages / PAYE Services• Company Accounts• Corporation Tax• Capital Gains Tax• Business PlanningWe also provide a full range of accounting and auditing consultancy services ranging from performance audit and strategic reviews to finance and accounting support to the public and private sectors at both home in Northern Ireland and abroad. In early 2016, I worked for the the Auditor General's Department in Colombo, Sri Lanka rewriting their Performance Audit Manual and training auditors in its application. I also provided financial accounting and strategic management support to a Downpatrick based charity providing care services to people with learning difficulties. I currently provide consultancy support in the UK and Ireland to a range of public and private sector clients.

• 

  Northern Ireland Audit Office

  • Belfast, United Kingdom

  • Audit Manager

    • Jan 2005 - Oct 2015
    • Belfast, United Kingdom

    As an Audit Manager, I led various teams of up to five qualified accountants in the production of Value for Money Reports on various aspects of Northern Ireland Public Sector.Reports produced included:• Review of Invest NI • Review of Public Transport • Sustainability of Schools • Collaborative Procurement and Aggregated Demand• Local Government Auditors Report 2015• NI Tourist Board – Implementation of Signature Projects • Review of Health & Safety Executive (HSENI) • Review of Insolvency Service • Review of DEL Training Schemes including New Deal and Jobsklills • Review of Archaeological Claims Settlement• Review of various funded programmes – including Springvale Educational Village Project, Into the West, Hospitality Association Northern Ireland, Campsie Office accommodation, Synergy (SeBI) and Valence TechnologyI also provided extensive support for to both Westminster and Northern Ireland Public Accounts Committees (PAC). Most of the above reports were the subject of PAC Sessions. I was required to brief PAC, before evidence sessions and subsequently draft PAC Reports.I also acted as a Resource Manager, responsible for planning work for a significant tranche of NIAO staff. I maintained Resource Plans and documents to allocate audit jobs and various tasks to up to 45 staff.Local Government Reform – I was centrally involved in managing local government reform in NIAO. In April 2015, 26 Councils became 11, with expanded powers and responsibilities. I managed the Audit and Assessment process of Council’s additional responsibility for improvement.VFM Trainer - I have written and delivered several training courses to both NIAO and local government staff on a range of topics including auditing techniques, audit interviews and local government reform.

• 

  AO Accountancy Services

  • Castlewellan, Co Down

  • Principal

    • Sep 1993 - Oct 2015
    • Castlewellan, Co Down

    Over a considerable time period, in addition to my full time roles, I worked as a self-employed Self – Employed AccountantI provided a full range of accounting and tax services to a range of clients, spanning self-employed tradesmen to large partnerships and limited companies. These included:• Accounts preparation• Self-Assessment Tax Returns• VAT Accounting• Wages / PAYE Services• Company Accounts• Corporation Tax• Capital Gains Tax• Business Planning

• 

  HELM Corporation Ltd

  • Moira, County Down

  • Senior Manager

    • Sep 1993 - Dec 2004
    • Moira, County Down

    Managed teams of up to twelve qualified accountants in consultancy assignments in the public sector in Northern Ireland, Ireland, England, Scotland and Bangladesh.Key consultancy experience included:• Significant experience in the preparation of Strategic Reviews, Due Diligence exercises, Business Case/Economic Appraisals and Business Plans for many public and private sector organisations.• Project Managing major implementations of accounting packages in the public and private sectors – Oracle General Ledger, Oracle Accounts Payable, Impact General Ledger, Impact Purchase Order Processing, Impact Accounts Payable, Impact Accounts Receivable, Impact Inventory and Sage Accounting, • Project Managing the implementation of Accounting systems in Government Departments and Agencies.• Significant internal and external audit experience gained within the public and private sectors in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland• Preparation of Resource Accounts for Northern Ireland Departments• Preparation of Agency Accounts for many Northern Ireland Agencies.• Annual Financial Accounts preparation for many private sector companies• Devising new accounting procedures and policies for several private and public sector organisations• Devising Costing and Charging Regimes for several public sector organisations• Managing Accounts Departments in several private sector companies and public sector organisations• Experienced trainer in the areas of accounting systems and accountancy topics.• Experience in the completion of accounts for all types of business (sole trader through to large limited companies) and the preparation of income and corporation tax computations.• Experienced in Forensic Accounting work – providing expert witness services to Barristers• Formally trained in PRINCE Methodology

• 

  Rohm and Haas

  • Croydon, United Kingdom

  • Accountant

    • Nov 1989 - Aug 1993
    • Croydon, United Kingdom

    Responsible for: Preparation of the annual business plan and subsequent quarterly reforecasts. Charged with budget monitoring and variance analysis. Production of financial accounting reporting information to parent company in US. Overseen the production of the VAT Returns for the group of companies. Introduced new computer systems to facilitate the VAT implications of the Single Market in 1993. This involved extensive training of staff in England and Belgium.

• 

  International Press Distribution (IPD) Ltd

  • Norbury, London

  • Project Accountant / Accounts Receivanle Manager

    • Jun 1988 - Nov 1989
    • Norbury, London

    • As Project Accountant responsible for redesigning procedures and systems in the area of the Sales Ledger. This involved some overseas work in Portugal and Tunisia.• As Accounts Receivable Manager responsible for creating unified Accounts Department from fragmented sections of staff. • Implemented new procedures designed to enhance the performance of the Sales Ledger.

• 

  Lee Apparel Co

  • Newtownards, Co Down

  • Assistant Financial Accountant

    • Mar 1987 - Jun 1988
    • Newtownards, Co Down

    • Responsible for treasury management function – the administration of all call, deposit and current bank accounts, and foreign exchange reporting to head office in US.• Responsible for expense reporting system.• Assistance in compilation of final accounts for consolidation into US Parent accounts

• 

  Breton Ulster Limited

  • Company Accountant

    • Jan 1986 - Mar 1987

    • Preparation of final annual accounts, monthly financial and management accounts, cash flow forecasts and budgetary information.• Responsible for Credit Control and VAT.• Implemented Sage General Ledger, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable System into a previously manual accounting environment.• Supervised 2 members of staff – Credit Controller and Accounts Clerk.

• 

  Stanley Woods & Co

  • Newtownards, Co Down

  • Trainee Accountant

    • Aug 1977 - Aug 1981
    • Newtownards, Co Down

    • Preparation of final accounts and tax computations for a large range of sole traders, partnerships and companies.• Responsible for management of VAT affairs for around 200 clients.