Trainee Business Adviser Review

Trainee business adviser - processing of data, analysing businesses accounts and transactions, subsequently treating these in line with appropriate accounting concepts. Interactions are typically within the department, a typical job would involve communicating with about five individuals internally and being in contact with roughly three external contacts as and when their input is necessary. I work on a variety of projects, some are specific to the time of year whereas some are ongoing. Responsibility is vaired depending on the projects, however due to the nature of the business, there must always be reviews of everyone's work.

Qualifications are worked towards on a regular basis, with exams for external qualifications (and external training to go with these) roughly every 4 months. Internal training is done ad hoc, as required and also on arrival. Personal and professional skills are developed naturally by course of interacting within the team. It skills are required on a day to day basis. I have learnt a great deal about accountancy and additionally, about the procedures businesses go through.

I feel that the work is varied and engaging. The team within which I work is well structured and the company culture is an open one, so you sit in the same area as seniors, managers and partners. As a result, I would day that the programme has exceeded my initial expectations and I am enjoying my time.

There is an appraisal system in place, with counselling managers & partners assigned to you. There are various awards you can be nominated for (with monetary value). Moreover, there are regular team meetings with senior partners about any issues the team feels it needs to bring to light.

There is a dedicated group in HR that seems to take care of the programme and as a result, it is holistically well organised. There is a clearly structured training programme with time given off for study. There is a mentoring system in place and this proves useful for some of the less formal aspects of the job.

We are assigned a tutor whom we are encouraged to approach at any time, thus you are free to attain as much or as little assistance as you'd like from them on top of the courses that you attend externally. This is less personal than the in house training.

Managers are encouraging and willing to invest their time in you, the HR team are efficient, despite being busy and generally, it is easy to get the support you want from the available sources.

I feel that the salery is competetive and should you work overtime, this is paid. However, I think it is down to my own misspending that the salery often doesn't last as long as I'd like. I work in london though and it's an expensive place.

There are regularly drinks hosted by the company/group/team which are always a laugh. There are also initiatives for assorted volunteering projects that you can apply to, as well as discounts on gym memberships around the country.

Yes

It is a company that is willing to give on a number of levels - especially in terms of your personal long term development and it has with very reasonable flexibility given its size.

Prepare thoroughly for your assessments and interviews - know your CV and examples you can use for the points that they tell you to prepare for (kind of goes without saying). Additionally, don't be afraid to ask the HR team if you have any questions.