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| A United Kingdom Perspective |
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| | Ian Wood
Job Title: European Financial Reporting Team Lead
Studied BSc Management Studies at Leeds University
When trying to decide on my future career, I had three main objectives:
- To work for a major multi-national company, with all the opportunities that come with it
- A real job from day one and;
- Support in obtaining a professional qualification.
I have worked as an analyst in the UK Controllers group for six years now, initially as a Tax Analyst which required me to understand the individual make up of the assets owned by the company, their capital structure and the very particular nature of tax accounting for the oil and gas industry.
Within just a few months I was heavily involved in the collation and submission of data required by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, the Federal Trade Commission in the US and the European Union as the merger of Exxon and Mobil took shape.
In the post merger world I became the UK Financial Reporting Analyst for Operated Assets which involved the provision of data upon which management would make business decisions. This included analysis of income, expense, production and an understanding of the impacts of price changes, market conditions and so on. While undertaking this role I also successfully completed my company-sponsored CIMA qualification.
My current role is three-fold
- Reporting on our European Upstream Production performance including volumes, earnings and operating expenses including a great deal of interaction with other European affiliates and associated travel
- Responsibility for managing the budgeting process for a UK affiliate worth nearly $170m!
- Responsibility for the personal and professional development of my team
Early in 2004 I was selected to work in Houston, Texas for the worldwide upstream financial reporting group assisting with the year end financial statement submissions to the Securities and Exchange Commission. This was a great opportunity to see the whole of the upstream business, to work in another country, present to senior management and get driven to work in a Mustang! Over the next few years I hope to be assigned overseas on a permanent role.
I have also been lucky enough to see oil and gas production up close on a day trip, via helicopter, to one of our installations in the southern north sea.
While work can be high pressure, high intensity stuff there are a few ways to wind down out of the office. Aside from the usual social aspects of working in London I currently play football and cricket for ExxonMobil.
All in all, I would say I've met my three main objectives... and more!
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