Trainee Accounts Technician Review

I am an assistant in the accounting and outsourcing services department. I have varied tasks each day which include bookkeeping, preparing year end accounts, VAT returns etc. I work mainly in the office but also visit client premises.

I have learnt many new skills through my day to day work and education from the apprenticeship. As well as a lot of new technical knowledge, I have improved my organisation skills through having to keep a diary, my communication skills through emails and telephone calls with clients, and I have gained skills in managing heavy workloads and prioritising different jobs.

I enjoy the work that I do as it is fairly varied and I am always talking to new people and doing new things, as well as keeping some regular jobs. My team are great and very helpful which is important, and company culture is very motivating.

As I am only a junior and Mazars is a large firm, I don't feel as valued as qualified colleagues as there are a lot of things that I cannot do, however there are a lot of jobs that I am needed for as I have a lower chargeable rate and so I am often required by other departments too. Managers do make me feel valued when they thank me for particular jobs and say that I did well, although this does not always happen. We have yearly appraisals where we thoroughly discuss progress and objectives and that helps me to feel valued.

It is fairly well structured as at the start of each year we are told when our courses are and told how to book our exams, although we do have to remember to book them ourselves and ask for the dates nearer the time. I get a lot of support from my mentor throughout the year and my employers are aware when I have to take days to attend college. I think that there could have been more set up in terms of an induction and training so that less time was spent with me having to keep asking colleagues how to do certain things, for example with certain software, how to use the telephone, and how to fill out my timesheet. However, my team have always been willing to help me with things. Task delegation is usually fair and even though I do get a lot of work passed down and tasks such as scanning and filing, my team understand if I do not have time or if I cannot do it straight away. I am the most junior member of the team so I cannot delegate work down, but even in busy periods I just prioritise work and manage it quite well.

I have telephone reviews every couple of months with my training provider mentor and discuss everything, and she is also always available on email, so I would say that I receive a lot of support.

I get a lot of support from my team mentor, and my managers are often available to talk if I need to. If they are not around then there is always a member of HR who will find time.

I think that it is correct for my level and location, and rises every time that I go up a qualification level. I am currently still living with my parents so I only pay them rent and I don't have bills to pay, but if I did have my own accommodation then I think that I would struggle on my current salary. Travel costs are high to get to work.

There are social events quite often to chat to everyone in the office and an away day every year. Although it would be nice to organise more activity days, specifically for our department only, just to get to know everyone better. There are not really any sports or leisure clubs to join through the company (that I know of) other than football for men.

Yes

It is a great company to work for to get the experience of a variety of work, and the company culture is good and makes you feel comfortable and fairly valued.

Be prepared for the interview and assessment day, and make sure that you have at least a basic knowledge of the industry and department that you are applying for.