Senior Financial Administrator Review

Senior financial administrator. Daily tasks include dealing with reconciliations. Reviewing reconciliations. Running scheme return reports for customers such as Apple and Android. Daily database tasks including some for management. Running an alignment for third party organisations. Tasks mostly focus around month end reporting where I generate a number of reports for internal staff and external customers. I also spend a lot of time around month end signing off a process called integrity alongside the rest of my team. This involves meeting with managers from other teams to understand their differences. There are various difference projects to get involved in and available whether that be in my current team or wider afield.

My excel knowledge has improved a lot learning more about excel on a daily basis and getting to know Macros etc. I have also started studying for my CIMA certificate level which is sponsored by Lloyds. I have also personally developed skills through holding meetings and working with managers from other teams.

I thoroughly enjoy my program with Lloyds. Studying whilst having a normal BAU can be challenging whilst trying to hold a social life but this is only certain times of the year as I tend to do an exam then have up to 8 weeks off between exams. The diploma side of the program is fairly easy to complete as you are just gaining evidence of what you're doing whilst you are doing it. I really enjoy working in such a great team and am fully supported to try new things in different departments such as work experience and I am given a numerous amount of opportunities. I thought their would be more of an induction at the start of my apprenticeship rather than arriving and being shown to my desk. I feel like an induction would of eased me more into the world of work and allowed me to have start the apprenticeship with more of an introduction to the company. The first few months are extremely tiring but you don't start studying until you are fully settled which is extremely beneficial as this allows you to settle into full time work before attempting studies as well.

I feel extremely valued by Lloyds banking group and my manager. I don't feel like an apprentice but a normal BAU with more opportunities which I thoroughly enjoy. I can get involved with tasks/projects like any other member of staff and Lloyds banking group which I personally like as you don't feel a divide between other staff as an apprentice. Level 4 apprenticeships at Lloyds start a senior grade C level which makes you feel valued as you get paid and perform the job as if you were fully qualified.

The induction to my apprenticeship was quite poor as we didn't have much of an induction until 2 months in where we met with our study tutor who would be leading us through the qualification side of the apprenticeship for the 2 years. Once with finally met with our tutor this provided us with a good study link support who is always on the phone when necessary and is extremely supportive. I have fortnightly meetings with my manager to discuss my progress which is extremely beneficial as I can tell her how I am feeling about BAU and the study side. I have recently had two team members leave so their tasks have been delegated to me which I am happy about as it keeps me busy. The hand over was good and I had a good amount of time to learn my tasks. I would overall say my normal BAU was well organised but the actual apprenticeship side lacked organisation and support at the start.

My contact at from my training centre has been extremely helpful. Whenever I have any questions about my course she will always find out the answer if she does not immediately know it. The training centre tutor itself I find differs a little as their was no support after failing one of my exams.

My manager personally provides me with an exceptional amount of support. Guidance with any problems I have and I always feel listened to etc. We have also been given a senior management member to speak to who is highly involved with apprenticeships. This is great to express any feelings we have towards the apprenticeship and how it could change.

Extremely well as you are paid as a qualified BAU. This covers all appropriate costs.

Yes there are lots of opportunities on an apprenticeship level and a normal team level.

Yes

I feel like its a great apprenticeship to be on. You have to learn everything quickly and are taught how to develop your skills etc.

Application process - look at the job description and how you relate to it. Interviews - Do you research Assessment days - Prepare a lot, make sure you know a lot about the company I would of liked to been told how important preparation was for the assessment centre,