Current Graduates on the BOC Finance Scheme
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Daniel, Finance Graduate,
Philosophy & Political Economy, University of Exeter
Joined September
2008
Why did you choose to apply
to BOC?
I felt BOC's FMTP was more than attractive than other
similar schemes for a number of reasons. Firstly only a few graduates are
recruited to scheme every year. This means I have the opportunity to work
for a large organisation with a genuine global presence but also have exposure
and visibility to senior management from the start. Secondly I think the
scheme differentiates itself from other graduste programmes by the sheer variety
we experience over its duration. Over the three years, I will have the
opportunity to work in various areas of finance, different geographical
locations (including a possible placement abroad) and even across different
industrial sectors. Thirdly the support we receive in completing our CIMA
qualifications, particularly our 40 days study leave, is excellent.
What was your first
placement?
My fist placement has been with our logistics subsidary
Gist at our Marks & Spencer distribution depot in Cumbernauld. This
placement is cover for a maternity leave, so I have had a substantive job to do
from day one. I am also the only finance specialist on site for two days a
week so have enjoyed genuine responsibility in this role. The placement
has given me a good grounding in management accountancy and also given me the
opportunity to work as part of the general site management team. This has
meant that I have not only contributed the financial side of the business, but
also gained excellent experience in its operational and commercial aspects
too.
What tasks have you been
responsible for and what are you currently involved with?
My primary
responisibility is compiling, measuring and distributing the depot's weekly
performance evaluation statistics, which I also present weekly to site
management at our morning meeting. I also provide support to the
management accountant during the month end process and am solely responsible for
the account dealing with Marks & Spencer's BP franchise stores in
Scotland. I have also had the opportunity to develop and utilise my skills
outide the finance function, helping in areas such as absence management and
fuel efficiency analysis. I am currently helping compile next year's
budget and undertaking a project to ascertain whether further efficiencies can
be implemented in our warehousing operation.
What do you like most about
working for BOC?
I think the working atmosphere within the company
is excellent. I have felt welcome and valued within the company ever since
the assessment centrewhich has made the transition from university to working
life seem extremely smooth. The small number of grads on the scheme means,
that despite being scattered across the country, we are a close group and this
creates a great support network especially during exam time! Senior
management, many of whom have come through the scheme themselves, are very
supportive of our development, always happy to offer advice and I have exposure
to the senior manager of my division at least every month.
What has been your highlight
so far?
I think my greatest achievement so far has been the
improvements I have made to the systems and processes used to compile the
depot's weekly performance statistics. This has involved integrating
spreadsheets with the company's payroll system and the automation of a number
manual processes that were prone to human error and time delays. I have
particularly enjoyed the quarterly meetings of the M&S account finance team
at Gist's Head Office in Basingstoke and the graduate days, where we get
exposure to the high-level startegic goals of the business and, of course, the
opportunity to meet up with other graduates.
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Andy, Finance Graduate
When did you join BOC?
September
2008
Why did you choose to apply to
BOC?
I was looking to start my career on some sort of finance
graduate programme with a large, well-known company, but wanted a programme that
would give me a broad experience rather than one that was specific to any
particular part of finance. The way BOC's Finance Management Training Programme
(FMTP) has 3 or 4 different placements within the graduate scheme was therefore
particularly attractive, as was the fact that one of the placements could be
abroad - an opportunity I definitely wanted. The amount of study leave and
support provided for obtaining the globally recognised CIMA qualification, plus
the small number of graduates recruited were other key factors in my decision to
apply to BOC.
What was your first
placement?
I am just coming towards the end of my first placement in Worsley,
Manchester, which is the location of the UK's Customer Service Centre. There are
three financial services teams based here - Payroll, Accounts Payable &
Expenses, Treasury - and I have spent time in each, getting to grips with
fundamental elements of the business such as paying employees and paying
suppliers. In effect it has been three mini placements in the same office.
What tasks have you been responsible for and
what are you currently involved with?
Working with each of the
finance teams in Worsley has given me a variety of tasks and roles this year. In
the Payroll team I was responsible for the pensioner's payroll. This is the
largest of the BOC payrolls so it was vital to get payments correct and on time,
otherwise I'd have been dealing with a lot of disgruntled pensioners! My time in
the Accounts Payable & Expenses team saw me in charge of paying utility
bills for the 80+ sites across the country. This role involved liaising with
branch managers and thus provided some good networking opportunities across the
business. I was also involved in an Expenses project claiming back VAT and have
saved the company £15,000 and counting. I have just moved into the Treasury
team, so am currently learning the basics of this new role.
What do you like most about working for
BOC?
BOC provides plenty of opportunities for career progression due
to the variety of business sectors it is involved in and the global presence of
the Linde Group. The FMTP is highly regarded in the company, which therefore
opens lots of doors as line managers and senior management are very
accommodating towards individuals' wants and needs, particularly given the small
intake of graduates each year.
What has been your highlight so
far?
I particularly enjoyed the Graduate Conference where all the
current finance graduates and engineering graduates got together with senior
management. We discussed things particular to the graduate schemes, heard from
ex-graduates who are now in permanent roles with BOC and generated ideas on how
the company can become a High Performing Organisation. The day then wound down
with a meal and a few sociable drinks. None of my friends in other companies
have even met their Managing Directors or Finance Directors, let alone shared a
few beers with them!
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James, FMTP First Year
Mathematics with Statistics, University of York
Why did you choose to apply to BOC?
My home town is Middlesbrough so I have been brought up around traditional industries, including the gases industry. When I heard that BOC were recruiting graduates, I didn't want my hard work at university to go to waste, and working for BOC seemed like a natural choice.
What was your first placement?
I am currently on my first placement with Gist at their site in Spalding. I am working with the onsite finance team, and have been given exposure to many different sides of the business. With the finance team being fairly compact, I have been given a role with real responsibility from day one.
What have you been responsible for and what are you currently involved with?
I am currently responsible for a set of management accounts that deal with Third Party Logistics. I have to prepare the weekly accounts and complete month-end reporting. I have also been given the opportunity to complete various different projects, and work with people in many departments. Later in my placement I will be given exposure to setting a budget.
What do you like most about working for BOC?
The size of the group means that there are opportunities for a wide variety of roles in different business sectors, throughout the UK and overseas. Everybody is friendly and helpful, and there is a genuine feeling of community within the group.
What has been your highlight so far?
My highlight was the first FMTP day I attended, involving training and finding out more about myself and the way that I work. This was followed by a meal with FMTP members past and present, which was a good introduction to both peers and managers.
What have you enjoyed most about being on the Finance Scheme?
The network of support that I have received from my peers, managers and mentor has been second to none. Further, the small number of people on the FMTP means that we can regularly keep in contact with one another, and meet on FMTP days.
What do you hope to achieve after completing the scheme?
It depends on what the group need, but at the moment I would like to take on a role in Head Office, possibly dealing with tax or a very specific part of finance. I would eventually like a financial management role, whether onsite or in Head Office.
To apply for the BOC Graduate Scheme for 2008, click on the following link:
http://www.bocjobs.com/ukgraduates/JobSearch/JobCenterViewCndt.asp?JobAd_Id=847988