Clive Hart has always been good with numbers – his only problem was working out what to do with his talent.
After graduating in mathematics Clive decided to mull over his career plans by taking a year off to travel the world. During his journeys he tried out a number of unusual jobs. 'I picked fruit, wrapped Christmas presents and worked in the galley of a boat,' he recalls.
'They weren't exactly what you'd call career jobs but they helped me to realise that I wanted to make a real difference in the business environment.'
After returning to the UK, Clive began studying for the CIMA qualification. 'CIMA was a natural fit for me. I wanted a rounded qualification that would give me a comprehensive grounding both in finance and in the key areas of business management.
'CIMA also gives you an understanding of how the other disciplines within an organisation function. This is essential if you want to help a business improve its performance.
Today Clive plays a central role in driving the performance of leading business consultants Capgemini, as financial controller of the group's UK consulting division.
On a day-to-day level, Clive draws on his CIMA training to provide top quality financial analysis. 'The senior people in the company are very busy and they need to get the facts quickly,' he explains.
'CIMA has given me the confidence to deliver. By understanding what's coming out of the numbers I can also make the company aware of any opportunities or risks that may be relevant.'
In 2006, Clive led a company initiative to ensure that employees studying for the CIMA qualification received the best support possible. Today there are around 75 employees in the finance function and a further 75 Capgemini consultants who are either CIMA trainees or qualified management accountants.
The company also enlisted the help of a CIMA training manager to advise on best practice. 'We were given great support from CIMA and we were put in touch with other organisations to benchmark against,' Clive continues.
It's not just the CIMA syllabus that provides a solid foundation for finance professionals either. Capgemini management consultant Alice Stephen is halfway through her qualification and says the structure of the CIMA examinations has helped to hone her skills when it comes to dealing with a demanding work schedule.
'[With CIMA] because of the time pressures and the marking system, you have to prioritise the questions you answer, the points you make, decide on the best calculations or methods to use and make snap decisions about how you structure and present your answers,' she explains.
These exam requirements are mirrored in Alice's working life. 'I have to be able to walk into a new project, often at short notice and with a very short brief, and be able to interpret the client situation immediately,' she explains.
'I then have to turn around a solution and a report very quickly and communicate it back. It's a very similar situation to the CIMA examination process.
'The qualification not only demonstrates that you have the kind of skills that are increasingly necessary in the modern workplace but it enhances them as well.'
