Alison Fellows is a qualified accountant with over 30 years of experience in financial and commercial accounting roles. She has a track record of delivering results through strong leadership, management, and relationship building skills. Her experience includes roles as Head of Central Finance, Financial Controller, and Financial Accountant for companies in various industries. She has expertise in areas such as financial reporting, budgeting, cost reduction, process improvement, and people management.

1. Alison Fellows FCCA
9 Garton Close, Appleby Magna, NW Leicestershire, DE12 7AU
E-mail: alison.fellows99@btinternet.com Tel: 07834 982043
A Midlands based Qualified Accountant, with strengths in both financial and
commercial accounting, who enjoys a challenge and making a difference. With
people management skills which enables results to be delivered through an open,
engaging and supportive style. Able to create a strong team ethos and build an
effective operating network throughout the organisation through strong relationships.
An experienced, knowledgeable and analytical manager who is confident in leading
teams, making decisions and delivering solutions.
Professional Qualifications
FCCA (2005)
ACCA (2000)
AAT (1991)
Key skills & summary
Finance Manager
 Leading a team of 24 staff with 6 direct reports to deliver a connected, supportive
transaction service to the business, good people management and coaching skills.
 Effective cash and ledger, management working to targets and covenants.
Commercial Accountant
 Experienced in contract analysis, margin analysis and customer profitability.
 Identifying areas of underperformance, profit improvement plans, activity and cost
reduction plans advised and delivered, leading to lower cost and better value
outcomes.
 Reduced ESG head office costs by over £200k; fleet operating costs over £100k;
procurement benefits £250k (2014-15).
 Achieved process efficiencies that enabled a headcount reduction in my team of 4
FTEs whilst also improving performance, quality and accuracy of reporting.
Management Accountant
 Regular monthly reporting on financial and business performance including variance
analysis, advice, direction, correction, influence.
 Forecasting, budgeting and reporting into the Board.
Technical Accountant
 Year-end accounts in statutory UK format and taking through audit to final approval.
 Experienced in dealing with auditors and audit matters, including audit contract
negotiations
 Experienced in a range of contractual and compliance matters including Payroll and
Expenses.
Assurances, Controls and Compliance

2.  Experienced in operational procedures and application of controls to deliver services
that comply in a risk assessed environment with minimal fraud opportunity.
Systems Development
 Great ambassador on the application of technology in pursuit of efficiency: leader
and advocate of perpetual change, working closely with IT and the business to
deliver solutions that work for the business.
IT skills
 Sage 200, Elite, SAP, JDE, PBMS, Microsoft Office, Qlikview.
Work experience summary
2011 – Dec 2015 Head of Central Finance - ESG
Environmental Scientifics Group (ESG) is a private equity business owned by 3i with a
turnover of c£100m and over 1300 employees. ESG trades in the testing, inspection and
compliance sector over a multi-site operation across the UK. I was proud to be part of
ESG’s senior management team. I reported to the Group FD and had people management
responsibility for a finance team of 24 people (with 6 direct reports).
 Promoted from Financial Controller role
 Responsible for the full suite of Finance services, including purchasing; purchase
ledger; credit control; sales ledger; nominal ledger, fleet (over 500 vehicles) and cash
management.
 Applied a clean balance sheet ethos, through training and education, which required
tactful management of my peers and enforcement of company policies.
 Produced and monitored the Central Services management accounts, forecasting,
budgeting, monthly reviews with all Central Services Directors (including HR, IT
Sales / Bids and Marketing).
 Responsible for adherence to statutory requirements and best practice guidance in
respect of day to day financial transactions.
 Took a lead role in developing relevant Company policies and procedures, such as
Vehicle & Driving policy, and Expenses policy.
 Involved in numerous ad-hoc projects, both as lead and team member, including
working with a procurement consultant to identify and implement cost saving
opportunities; change of utility provider (from many to one); fleet improvements
including sole supplier, and a new fuel provider.
 Achievements include a clean transition of a newly acquired companies into ESG’s
finance system; identification and implementation of new project costing system
within a very tight timeframe.
 Day to day staff management including appraisals and one to ones.
2010 - 2011 Financial Controller – ESG (as above)
 Working for and aligned to two specific divisions of ESG, producing monthly and
annual financial accounts. I reported to the Group FD and the Divisional MDs.
 Supporting budget holders with the creation and monitoring of their budgets and
forecasts.
 Proving expert guidance and advice on costing and risk to all budget holders.
 Responsible for statistical analysis and production of KPI reports.

3.  Advising, directing and supporting Divisional MD’s in pursuit of budgets, incomes and
profits. Expert guidance of costing, risk and customer profitability.
 I developed excellent working relationships with key stakeholders, supporting the
Operational Directors and Managers with all financial aspects.
 I am particularly proud of resolving a number of legacy balance sheet issues when I
initially joined the business, which enabled accurate and timely reporting.
2005 - 2010 Financial Accountant - Babcock International Group
Babcock International Group (BIG) is a FTSE 250 company with revenue of £1.9bn. Working
for BIG’s Defence Division – which comprised of Babcock Defence Services (BDS) and
Acetech Personnel Ltd. BDS is an Engineering and Support Services Company providing
support and training to the Ministry of Defence, whilst Acetech providing temporary
manpower, recruitment and training, largely to internal companies. The Defence Division at
that time employed over 1100 people and had a turnover of c£100 million.
 Managed the finance team for the Defence Division.
 Provided operational support to Acetech Operations Managers and Directors. I
reported to the FD for Babcock Defence Services & also to the Acetech MD.
 Responsible for both Financial and Management Accounts; BIG Group reporting;
monthly & quarterly forecasting; budgeting; KPI reporting; pricing and costing; annual
& interim audits and preparation of statutory accounts (within 2 months of year end).
 Achievements include reduction of monthly reporting timetable from 9 days to 4,
aided the sale of Acetechs Aerospace sector and latterly the sale of the remaining
Acetech business to Morson plc.
2003-2005 Financial/Management Accountant - Hire Station (subsidiary of VP plc)
2000-2003 Financial Accountant - Leisure Link Group (MBO from Bass plc)
1999-2000 Asst. HQ Accounting Manager - Bass PLC
1997-1999 Financial Accountant – Team 121 Consulting
1994-1997 Asst. to Management Accountant – Douglas Concrete & Aggregates
1991-1994 Audit Semi-senior – Smith Cooper and Partners
1987-1991 Trainee Accountant – Nicholson Blythe
Other interests, achievements and skills
 I have been a Company First Aider and also Fire Marshal
 Keeping fit through circuit training, running and Zumba
 I love going out into the countryside walking the dog
 I enjoy both long distance travel and (fair weather!) camping in Cornwall
Education
1987 8 O levels – John Taylor High School, Barton-under-Needwood
References
Available upon request from ESG (CEO; FD; HR Director)
Also available from Babcock (MD; FD)