Ford Motor Company was recently crowned Employer of the Year at the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Financial Management Awards 2007 at a sparkling ceremony at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square.  The award recognised the support and commitment of the company to its trainees, with a scheme coordinated by TOTC.

Ford aims to attract, recruit and retain high calibre finance professionals and has been running CIMA schemes since 1988.  There are currently over 100 employees studying at various stages, as well as over 100 Passed Finalists, Associates and Fellows employed around the globe (including N. & S. America, Europe and Asia Pacific).

Ford continuously reviews how CIMA is offered to its employees and the present format involves Ford, a tuition provider in the form of BPP, dedicated coordination from TOTC and the use of the training facilities at CEME, where TOTC is based.

TOTC has a team of experts dedicated to the coordination of the CIMA training scheme who provide information for staff on the Ford intranet, carry out the logistics and administration for the scheme and also provide advice and guidance to all trainees. 

Ford has two schemes in operation. The first is the Management Accounting Trainee Scheme (MATS), a 4 year entry level scheme aimed at non-graduates.  The second scheme is primarily targeted at graduate hires, although employees transferring to finance from other areas are also encouraged to study.

The judges were impressed with Ford’s dedication to CIMA from the CFO down and the superb support structure which is reflected in the impressive exam results with a pass rate of 89% at TOPCIMA against the 57% national average.