Finance Apprentice Review

At the moment I am working in Accounts Receivable as an analyst. This looks after all the money coming into the business from sales invoices. I ensure that all information on the invoices are correct and prevent/solving any errors which might occur in our automatic invoicing process. We do this by ensuring out database has the most up to date information in terms of prices of engines/parts. We interact quite a lot with the departments in the Supply Chain, i.e Shipping, Materials and Customer Services. The entire plant is involved in shipping engines to the end customer, and we all have to work together in order to meet customer's needs. I often get to speak first had to a representative from one of our customers to help with any queries they may have.

Since working at Cummins I have improved many skills. I have achieved my AAT Level 2 and I am well on my way to completing AAT Level 3. Cummins offers training courses to all of its employees, some of these include; engine familiarisation which puts a lot of data you see on screen into context, conflict management, presentation courses to aid with your confidence when presenting in front of people, as well as confidence building courses themselves.

I love the programme. The best part is the people I work with, everyone is welcoming and helpful whenever you need it. I find the work very interesting, especially when investigation is involved. The Core Values which Cummins prides itself on fit really well with my mentality.

I feel like an important member of the team. I have received positive recognition from managers both inside and outside of my department.

The organisation of my programme was really good. Essentially, I started from the bottom and worked up. I needed to learn the basics before moving on to the more difficult/higher level tasks as at the end of the day, these high level tasks all require you to follow your basic steps. If needed I have time in work to study for upcoming exams. I have regular 1:1 meetings with my supervisor, manager and mentor.

If required we can have unlimited support from the college. At anytime we can send emails with queries to our college tutors and they usually reply pretty quickly. We have the opportunity to ask any questions we want whilst in college.

My employer is always looking for ways to make my experience here better, yet more challenging in order to enhance my skills. When given a new aspect of work there and work instructions which you can follow and try to understand, and if you get stuck I am surrounded by helpful people who would drop everything that they are doing to come and give you a hand.

My salary highly exceeds what an apprentice would usually be earning at 21 years of age. I have more than enough money to travel and survive.

Each year it is up to you to carry out 4 hours of community work. This can be anything from helping at a food bank to helping out with dogs trustr

Yes

From my first day I have felt very welcome and a part of the team. It is a place where you have the opportunity to grow and try new things. If you would like to join a different department, you are encourages to take a RED day to see how you would like it and gain knowledge of their systems and processes. They encourage you to have a broad knowledge of the business by bringing people from different departments together so even if you work in Finance, you can get involved in quality.

Be you. If you are applying for a job which you have the relevant qualifications for, the interviewer knows what qualifications you have and knows you are capable of the job. They are looking for an insight to your personality. They want to get a feel for how you would fit in with the team they already have. Be outgoing, and show them you are willing to work hard.