What are your key responsibilities in your current role?
I have two roles: deputy to the finance manager of the production directorate and senior asset accountant. I'm responsible for the interface between finance and the production directorate, the provision of financial accounting services and management information, business planning, budgetary controls and the promotion of business controls.
What are the best things about your job?
Representing finance. My role really makes me feel part of the company and I know exactly what's behind the numbers in our reports. It's very satisfying to know I'm considered part of the team.
What aspects of your CIMA studies have been most relevant and useful to your job?
Well, UK taxation isn't very useful when you're working in Russia but I still think it provides good background knowledge. All the other aspects are very relevant. And the more you learn about the business, the more you understand that everything we studied is based on real life.
Why did you choose CIMA as your professional qualification?
The decision was actually made by the company's senior finance team. However, as trainees, we also thought that CIMA would provide a broader knowledge than other qualifications. Everybody agreed that it would enable us to work in different parts of the business rather than just accounting.