Finance Apprentice Review

As a Finance apprentice, my role involves engaging with the teams in my Department, mainly at month end, to determine variances to forecasts and what's driving them. My team is the main contact for Group Finance so we do a lot of consolidation and variance analysis at reforecasting and budget periods.

My Excel skills have greatly improved through regular use and my colleagues sharing best practise. I've learnt how to work to deadlines, prioritise my workload and ensure I'm communicating with my peers and my Line Manager when I am busy/ have time to help meet other demands. Through my competency and knowledge based side of the Apprenticeship (via BPP and CIMA), I have developed my relationship-building skills as well as key financial and management accounting knowledge.

This is a great opportunity for somebody who doesn't want to go down the traditional university route - this way, you can "earn while you learn", gaining a professional qualification in parallel with a full-time job and wage. The people I work with are great and there's regular socials and events which bring everyone together. Work-life balance is also encouraged, with flexible working hours an option and working from home the norm.

I receive a lot of support from my peers and Line Manager and receive regular feedback, "thank you"'s and recognition from those I work with for the work that I do.

I have an Individual Learner Plan (ILP) which I've followed throughout the duration of my Apprenticeship - this details when my assignment deadlines are, when I should be studying a particular CIMA module and when my next catch up is with my BPP assessor. As well as my Line Manager I have an internal Apprentices team which are on hand to help with any queries or issues I may have, as well as tutors, lecturers and the support team at CIMA and BPP respectively.

I have scheduled catch-ups with my Assessor every 6 weeks to discuss my progress with the Apprenticeship and to raise any issues either of us may have - he is always at the end of the phone or email in the interim should I have any pressing issues. When I am studying a CIMA module, the BPP team are excellent at providing regular contact and opportunities to ask any questions or request additional support, whether it be from my tutor or lecturer, or from the online support team.

My Line Manager and team are very supportive of my learning and development, aiding me when/ where necessary and encouraging me to take on new responsibilities. I have set time each week I can use for completing assignment work/ exam revision, and have a study leave allowance.

I am paid fairly for the work I do, considering my role. I don't live near the campus but my salary covers the cost of travel.

There are regular team socials amongst my direct team and wider department. Also, we have two (paid) days a year we can use for volunteering.

Yes

Sky is a great company to work for with great ethics, morals and ways of working. It's been a fantastic opportunity for me to grow and develop without having to go to university (and therefore not have any debt!), which I knew I didn't want to do. Irrespective of my role and limited experience against some of my colleagues, I am treated like any other employee and valued by my department.

Show your enthusiasm and be yourself! Having some good examples of how you've solved a problem, worked as a team to deliver an objective etc. prepared in advance would stand you in good stead for any interview/ assessment centre as it demonstrates that you've put the time in to prepare .