Tayeb Sherif
BA Social & Political Sciences, Cambridge University, 2001
Joined ICI Corporate Head Office: 2001, ACMA 2005.
Currently working for Treasury in the Finance function
What first interested you about ICI?
I was studying a lot of political economy and economics so I already had an academic interest in business and large multinationals. I was considering doing a PhD, but I thought I'd get more excitement in a financial environment so I started to look at different companies.
Through my studies I had already read about ICI and was particularly interested in how it was changing its corporate strategy to fit in with the global trading environment - I wanted to be a part of that."
Tell us about your career development so far
I started out in ICI's Corporate Treasury Department and after a year of financial reporting I moved to the Controller's department which consolidates and reviews the Group's results. I then spent one year on a high profile project replacing the global financial reporting system. After completing my CIMA qualification I was offered a job in the Treasury Department where I am now the accountant responsible for the Group's short term finance unit.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
I am working on a report that analyses our debt instruments and liquidity positions to guide the front office traders in dealing in different currencies. My regular responsibilities include management accounting for the treasury cost centre, month-end reporting, and producing off-line proofs for the open derivatives each month."
Have you worked on any particularly interesting projects?
Last year I worked on a financial reporting system project with team members from each of ICI's businesses. The project was challenging because it brought the management information required by each business onto a single database. This required creative thinking to design solutions to meet different management information needs.
And the future for you?
By working in different departments and projects I have been able to see several aspects of financial management at the coprorate centre and also at the international business level. In the future I want to deepen my knowledge of treasury management and the company is supporting me to sit the ACT exams this October. I have benefited from working with professional people from around the world and have enjoyed the diversity at ICI.
