In our latest Career Development Month spotlight, we introduce Joshua Boocock, whose path to becoming Cogent's Management Accountant perfectly illustrates how determination and continuous learning can shape a successful finance career. Just 12 months into his role, Joshua is already making significant contributions while pursuing his chartered accountant qualification.
A Numbers-Driven Innovator Fuels Cogent's Growth
Joshua Boocock's journey to becoming Cogent's Management Accountant has been defined by a relentless drive to develop his financial expertise. After leaving full-time education with A-levels, Joshua embarked on a diverse career trajectory, working as a bookkeeper, finance assistant, and operational finance manager before finding his home at Cogent.
"My AAT and CIMA qualifications have given me the knowledge to go with my 13 years of experience working in finance and accounting functions," Joshua explains. This combination of formal training and hands-on experience has enabled him to excel in his current role, where he has honed his report-building abilities and created impactful dashboards to support the sales team.
What drew Joshua to Cogent was the opportunity to continue his professional development. "Cogent were very happy to have me continue my studies and confirmed this during the interview stage," he shares. This commitment to supporting his CIMA apprenticeship has been instrumental in Joshua's growth, as he recently passed the Management level exams.
Joshua's adaptability has been tested since joining Cogent just 12 months ago. "Moving across the country, starting a new job and dealing with a newborn baby at the same time has to be up there as one of my biggest challenges," he acknowledges. But through careful planning and a collaborative approach with his partner, Joshua has navigated these life-changing events successfully.
In his role, Joshua has made significant contributions, designing new reports to provide business insights and negotiating a contract that has helped Cogent achieve cost savings. His problem-solving mindset has been invaluable, as he encourages his colleagues to "come with a solution to a problem rather than just a problem."
Reflecting on Cogent's culture, Joshua highlights the company's strong values and work-life balance. "They understand the need for a work-life balance and being able to switch off at the end of the day," he notes. Joshua also appreciates the collaborative spirit across teams, which fosters an environment where he feels empowered to explore different areas of the business and uncover opportunities for value-adding analysis. “Cogent is a fantastic place to work if you’re looking to develop yourself and your role. They are very open to new ways of working and are willing to listen to ideas if they can be backed up.”
Looking ahead, Joshua is focused on completing his CIMA studies and becoming a chartered accountant. "In the medium term I am focused on completing my final year of study with CIMA and becoming chartered, Cogent is funding my apprenticeship and offering support with my professional development," he shares.
Joshua's career journey demonstrates how Cogent's commitment to employee growth can help talented professionals like himself thrive. As a numbers-driven innovator, Joshua continues to contribute to Cogent's long-term success while honing his financial expertise.