Cornelia Dibua, financial analyst, group reporting, central finance, Shell

Financial Management (UK), March, 2006

Congratulations on being voted part-qualified of the year in the CIMA Financial Management Awards. Which qualities do you think helped you to win the accolade?

Probably my strongest asset is my ability to work on a wide range of tasks and complete them to a tight schedule. I'm also very focused and analytical, but I can take a helicopter view where necessary.

You joined Shell as soon as you graduated from the London School of Economics.

I started two years ago, having done a BSc in accounting and finance, I've always wanted to get an accounting qualification, but I've found that finance at Shell is so much broader than pure accountancy.

What support does the company provide for your studies?

It pays my qualification and course fees. It also supports me in terms of paid study leave, coaching, mentoring and guidance from my line manager.

Even an award-winner must get anxious at exam time.

I actually look forward to sitting exams. After weeks of preparing, I'm excited to write down all I've Learned. I do get a little nervous just before turning over the question sheet, but the feeling when it's finished is probably what I Look forward to the most.

Describe your typical working day for us.

It's hard to talk about a typical day. We have very busy periods where I work on consolidated numbers from the quarter close. These include some tong days working on highly confidential information that feeds into the Royal Dutch Shell quarterly results that we issue to the market. At other times I'm busy interacting with the business, helping to resolve questions on financial and accounting transactions.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

My daily interactions with colleagues all over the globe are interesting and challenging. They broaden my knowledge of business transactions at the local operating units and put me in contact with senior managers worldwide. My team is a group of diverse, highly intellectual people. They are fun and always ready to help. This makes my working environment relaxed and social

And what's been the toughest experience for you?

When I implemented a document management system for more than 4,000 finance staff. The main difficulties were obtaining management approval to purchase the software and arranging the IT tools to install it. I had a tight schedule at a busy time. It was a great challenge, but it was worthwhile, as I developed a system that aids the retention and retrieval of key documents.

Shell's finance function must have been extremely busy over the past year or so, what with the restatement of its oil reserves and then the Royal Dutch merger.

Oh, yes. Working in group reporting, we're in the middle of it all. It's certainly been an interesting time to be around. The pressure was great but, with hindsight, highly rewarding.

Where do you see yourself in five years' time?

I see a couple of scenarios, but I think the most likely one is being the finance manager of a Large operating unit outside the UK--somewhere warm, preferably.

Where have you put your award?

It's on my desk, until I find somewhere nicer to keep it.

CIMA annual awards 2006 will take place on November 29 at a prestigious London venue. To book a place, contact Imogen Cooper on 020 8849 2265.