Finance Apprentice/Analyst Review

- Month end activities including reporting. - Budgeting and forecasting for mid term and long term periods. - Learning about the organisation and the medicines that AZ sells, and then linking then into the

Communication and networking are ongoing skills that are developed as I rotate in different areas in my apprenticeship programme, I meet new team members and comminate with different areas of the business. I have also continued developing resilience throughout my apprenticeship, especially when it comes to studying, and getting back on track after failing an exam. I have learnt new skills in using different accounting systems.

The finance apprenticeship programme is a great initiative to be part of and I enjoy it. I am able to rotate in different areas within finance to gain valuable knowledge, whilst studying once a week to gain the CGMA (formally CIMA) qualification. All the teams have been very supportive and willing to hep with career progression, making sure I learn as much as I can to take with me onto future rotations to prepare me for a full time roll.

The programme itself is well structured in the sense that I knew that I would be doing rotations in different areas alongside studying, how long each rotation should be and the study plan. However, being part of the first cohort for the programme, sometimes rotation areas were not decided until close to the rotation start time, not leaving long enough to be organised and plan handovers.

I receive lots of support from my employer in many ways. Rotational managers are supportive in giving me extra time to study if I need it, supporting me with work and any questions I may have. I have been given a buddy in my area as it can be scary joining a new rotation, but they are able to support with any questions that I may think is silly, but it is not.

My training provider is very supportive. When participating in courses online or in person, tutors are willing to help go through something as many times as it takes for you to understand it. Tutors also answer questions on email or through additional calls. Skills coaches support with the logistics of the programme, supporting by making sure we are booked onto the correct courses and have all the stuff we need.

Some of the rotations link up to what I am studying at college for the qualification, therefore helps me perform better in my role - for example being in Group Financial Reporting whilst studying F2 which is financial reporting helped me understand the area and the financial statements. However, when the qualification doesn't link, it is hard at the time, but it is building the foundation knowledge for when I have to do work that involves knowledge I would have already learnt.

Yes, the is multiple extra-curricular activities. There are apprentice social reps at each site that organises events such at dinners and activities for each site, and then come together to do joint socials in a central location. At different sites there are sports teams such as football and netball, with there also being fitness centres in some sites.

Yes

AstraZeneca is a great company to work for. All of the employees are so nice and very supportive, willing to help anyone that needs it. There is so much to learn and the organisation is huge so there is lots of opportunity to gain experience/ knowledge about so many areas.

The main bit of advice I would give about anyone applying to AZ is to be yourself, research the company and be prepared for any type of question. Ask any question that you have about the process because no question is a silly question and you will not be judged!