If I had not studied for the CIMA qualification,

then I wouldn’t be able to do the job I do now. It has

made look at the bigger picture with regards

to decision making.

What influenced your decision to choose CIMA?Speaking to people that I admired the most in my early career, who were in positions that I aspired to. They had all studied CIMA and this made me realise that this was the career choice for me.

What are your key responsibilities in your current role?I’m responsible for the management accounts for 25 joint venture (JV) stores. I look after the South West regions, providing guidance and support to JV partners and regional managers. I establish short to long-term strategic financial and operational plans for the stores in order to maximise performance.

What is the most exciting project you have worked on recently?I’ve been involved in quite a few store sales recently, meeting and approving new partners and putting business plans together so they are ready for approval by our board.

Has the CIMA Professional Qualification helped to progress your career?If I had not studied for the CIMA qualification, then I wouldn’t be able to do the job I do now. It has without doubt made me look at the bigger picture with regards to decision making. Employers will also know that you have ability at a certain level. This is very important to the partners I work with.

What advice would you give to anyone who was thinking of choosing CIMA?Do not hesitate, it is one of the best career decisions you can make.

For company information, visitwww.visionexpress.com

2Case studies21

Kate found that the

AAT qualification was a

great step on the ladder

towards getting fully

qualified. She didn’t go

to university, so wanted

to gain a good grounding

in accounting and finance

before going on to

do CIMA.

Kate Hallam ACMA Regional Finance ManagerVision Express

What are your key responsibilities in your current role?I’m involved in aligning the reporting process for the whole organisation. I am responsible for compiling the monthly management report and present this in a useful format, highlighting the key information to enable the senior management team to make correct decisions.

I’m also project accountant on a pioneering joint venture project – Greater Gabbard – worth over 1.6 billion pounds. The project aim is to construct what is currently the world’s biggest offshore wind farm, with a capacity of 504MW.

What is the most interesting aspect of your job?I’m passionate about preserving our environment and believe that a massive

culture change is needed if we are to win the battle against climate change. By ensuring the resource is allocated correctly and the project finances are managed correctly, I believe that I’m able to play a small part in changing the energy industry and making cleaner renewable energy a valuable alternative to traditional carbon emitting generators.

Do you think you chose the right profession, especially in light of the current economic climate?

Absolutely yes! The CIMA qualification provides you with a variety of business skills that are so transferable. The renewable energy sector is also one of the few growing industries in these difficult times.

For company information visit www.npower-renewables.com

2Case studies23

Nia has always wanted

to work in finance having

decided that she could

reach where she wanted

to be without going

to university. The AAT

qualification offered her

a great foundation to the

finance world and

access to CIMA.

I believe CIMA has equipped with the

skills desired to grow with the industry and hopefully

to drive the future face of the renewable

energy industry.

Nia Angharad Cooke ACMAManagement Accountant RWE npower renewables

What is the most exciting project you have worked on recently?As the CIMA qualification is highly regarded within Severn Trent, the decision was taken earlier in the year to form a study panel to actively support all current studiers. I was asked to join the group in achieving its broad remit with the goal of attaining CIMA Quality Partner status. We have succeeded and Severn Trent Water has also been granted CIMA CPD Accreditation status.

For company information visit www.severntrent.com

What did you find appealing about CIMA?CIMA offered more of an opportunity to think outside the box. The syllabus seemed broader and allowed me to understand and interpret the issues behind the numbers. This helped me to contextualise my role within overall business strategy and the decision making process.

What are your key responsibilities in your current role?In my current role I am responsible for the delivery of financial and performance information to a variety of stakeholders. The role encompasses providing commentary and insight into business performance across all three levels of the organisation (strategic, tactical and operational). I am also involved in providing inputs into the management and control of operating costs, for medium to long-term business plans.

25 Case studies

3

Amjad is good with

numbers and always

knew his career would

involve finance. After

completing his A levels,

Amjad decided to do

the AAT qualification

which proved invaluable

in helping him to

understand the basics of

finance and management

accounting.

I’m a Chartered Manage nt Accountant and feel

empowered to do my job to the best of my

experience, skills and knowledge.

Amjad Hussain ACMAReporting AnalystSevern Trent Water Ltd

How has the CIMA Professional Qualification changed or helped progress your career?I believe that studying CIMA has given me a structured career and choice in what I do. I’m the change management accountant for the IDEAs (Information for Excellence) programme, which aims to embed improved financial management across the whole organisation. My experience and skills gained through CIMA made it possible for me to be involved in this major project.

To find out more about the Welsh Assembly Government, visit www.wales.gov.uk

What influenced your decision to choose CIMA?I found the business skills element in CIMA particularly relevant to my future career path.

I wanted a qualification that was relevant to a wider business organisation and would give me more future options than just working in a traditional number crunching role.

Did you receive any support from your employer whilst studying for CIMA?I have been very fortunate, my previous employer and the Welsh Assembly Government have been very supportive during my studies. I was encouraged and able to take leave and revision courses for exams.

27 Case studies

Teresa is involved with

the AAT as a careers

adviser to schools and

colleges and is the chair

person of the South

Wales branch of AAT.

In her spare time she

is a make up artist and

has worked on charity

catwalk shows and

weddings.

I wanted a qualification that was relevant to

a wider business organisation and would give

more future options than just working in a traditional

number crunching role.

Teresa Platt ACMA Change Management Accountant Welsh Assembly Government

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants26 Chapter StreetLondon SW1P 4NPUnited Kingdom

T. +44 (0)20 8849 2314F. +44 (0)20 8849 2450E. cimaqualification@cimaglobal.comwww.cimaglobal.com/aat

RC048V1109

Cert no. TT-COC-002370