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Ed Knox
Job Title: Internal Auditor – Europe, Middle-East and Africa (4 Months)
Previous Role: Azerbaijan Financial Analyst – Caspian / Russia Controllers (20 months)
Studied: Manufacturing Engineering at Nottingham University (MEng)
I made the decision to move away from engineering as a career during my final year at university, as many engineering students do. However, I still wanted to work in a company with an engineering pedigree, even if I wasn’t going to work at the forefront of development and application. As such, the technology focus and culture at ExxonMobil were an attraction to me.
The opportunity to work in a dynamic industry facing such interesting and challenging times also motivated me to apply, as well as the opportunities for travel and the potential for a rewarding and truly varied career.
I found making the switch to finance was not at all a problem. I followed in the footsteps of graduates in political science, maths and economists who had all settled in comfortably to the finance function at ExxonMobil before me. A combination of excellent supervisory support, well managed job handovers and good on-the-job training means that graduates really can start to contribute from day one whatever their background. ExxonMobil also gives you a real job from the start rather than putting you on a graduate scheme or temporary rotation, so you feel like you are fulfilling a real business need and can have an impact early on.
I was also attracted by the support on offer for further education; notably for the globally recognised CIMA qualification. Graduates are essentially free to manage their own progression through the course, without excessive pressure from management. However, you are not alone! The controllers’ mentoring programme and an informal network of passed finalists provides lots of helpful advice and guidance on tackling the course. The CIMA course, coupled with the ExxonMobil Graduate Development Program (EGDP) run by the top ranked London Business School, is giving me a really good grounding in business that I am sure will be valuable for years to come.
Azerbaijan Financial Analyst – Caspian Controllers (20 months)
It is very much the expectation here that you start to take on responsibility as soon as you step through the door. In my case; “responsibility from day one” meant being put straight into a team of 3 people responsible for the accounting and reporting of a turnover exceeding $1bn annually. It was daunting, and the job posed new challenges in every one of the 20 months I did it. However, I found the combination of real responsibility balanced with flexible support and training accelerated me up a steep learning curve and kept me motivated without feeling overwhelmed.
Initially my role was focused on booking operating expenses for ExxonMobil’s share of a BP Operated Joint Venture in the Caspian Sea off the coast of Azerbaijan. It is amazing how quickly you can get used to moving millions of dollars around on the books. The role also involved managing payments to a number of 3rd parties in the Caspian region and gradually broadened to encompass accounting for the revenue arising from Crude sales and the compilation of the monthly, quarterly and yearly financial statements for Azerbaijan; which are rolled up into the Corporation’s Global results.
To do a good job in controllers you have to develop a good appreciation of the operations underlying your area to really understand the numbers. For me, learning about production in Azerbaijan and about the transportation of crude through Georgia, the Black Sea and the Bosporus Straits was fascinating; I still find the shear scale of operations staggering. While I was in the role, operations were impacted by many issues ranging from Russian troops entering Georgia to Crude prices dropping from $140 to $45 a barrel. So, you really do get exposure to a wide range of global issues with new challenges on a regular basis.
The breadth and diversity of people you interact with also makes a role in controllers rewarding. If I map the regular interfaces I had as Azerbaijan Analyst it includes senior managers, production engineers, crude traders, rail operators and other controllers; hailing from the US, the UK, Azerbaijan and many countries in between. I think being able to tap into that breadth of experience and work with such a broad spectrum of people and cultures is extremely valuable so early in a career.
Internal Auditor – Europe, Middle-East and Africa (4 Months)
From Upstream Controllers I moved into the audit function and have since travelled to Turkey, Egypt, Russia and Brussels as well as Southampton and Leatherhead working on various Audits. The role and the travel schedule can be tough, but it is an excellent way to experience different parts of the organisation and develop new skills. The fact that I have also had time to see the Blue Mosque, The Bosporus Straits, The Pyramids of Giza, Red Square and the Manneken Pis (a personal favourite) must be a bonus!
In a short space of time I have worked with the Lubes Sales, Refining and Global Financial Operations organisations; all providing a fresh experience and developing new knowledge, experience and skills that will undoubtedly be useful in the future. Unfamiliar organisations, different cultures and language barriers all pose their own challenges. However, with the emphasis strongly on teamwork, the plethora of experienced individuals within the audit group means you can always get the information, support and guidance you need wherever you are in the world.
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