Managment Accountant Trainee Review

I am currently undergoing a placement in the Credit card and Reconciliation team within the Expenses department of Rolls-Royce. I have a variety of daily tasks however a usual day will consist of me processing employee card applications or performing reconciliations on the expense accounts of the many sites we cover as a company. In terms of internal communication, I am speaking to employees of the company from all different countries on a pretty much hourly basis, this has helped to enhance my communication skills. In terms of external communication, my team works closely with the Bank of America as these are the providers of the cards we supply, I am in contact with them on a daily basis.

Upon starting my role I have learnt many new skills - for me personally I believe the biggest skill I have developed is my communication especially regarding over the phone as this is something I have never been confident with. In addition to this, I believe I have developed my ability to manage workloads and prioritise tasks (time management), I have also developed important social skills after undertaking an external outward bound course for a week in the lake district with other Rolls-Royce apprentices from different function areas of the business.

I enjoy my programme as the work is always motivating and the people you are surrounded by are always good company and helpful, I personally have made some incredible friends from starting this programme but all whilst I have been earning money and developing skills that i will use for the rest of my life. In terms of the programme, there are always social events that are organised for everyone to come together and socialise whether in the work environment or not- For example, this friday we have a football match followed by a chairty race night. This is just one of the many reasons that I enjoy the progmramme I do and fully stand by my choice to reject univeristy and come on this programme.

I feel very valued by Rolls Royce - ever since I have started I have never felt like the 'aprrentice' on the teams I have been in and always been made to feel like I am part of the team and given the same responsibilities anyone else would. For example, I have now been given the responsibility to perform the door acess audit on our whole building - this shows that Rolls-Royce values me as an employee and trusts me to follow their culture and to deliver excellence! In addition to this, if we perform well as a company we get rewarded which once again makes you feel valued and that you have contributed to the success of the company.

I believe one of the best things about the MAT programme is that is very well structured and ran efficiently. From the start it was drilled into us exactly how the programme will run, this emphasises how productive the induction was. We knew from the start we would have 4 days in the office in the week and 1 day realease for college, unless we were in the middle of courses then we would work 5 days a week in the office. We have vast networks of support, for me personally I believe the greatest source of support is older intakes and I know RR have structured the programme so we around lots of them in the early years. I also have a mentor/finance coach which i meet regularily, this helps provide an insight into future career paths and opportunities within the business. Overall, I believe the programme is organised extremely efficienetly!

Our tranining provider is Kaplan, our intake year are assigned a coach from there so we have a main point of contact for any issues etc. This coach also monitors our progross and undertakes a development programme with us, helping us with online modules whilst we undertake our classwork. I have always felt supported by Kaplan, me personally they helped me move my classes from Nottingham to Birmingham as this was easier for me in terms of travel as I commute to Derby each day from Walsall.

I feel like I receive a huge amount of support from my employer! I believe the biggest source of support is older intakes of the programme, as they know exactly what you are going through and they are always willing to offer help! My current team leader was on the course over ten years ago - this shows the continuity of the programme and how it is structured so in the early years MAT's always have people around them that can offer advice and support. Another great support is from my finance coach, all MAT's are assigned with a mentor/finance coach, I meet mine quartely and he shares with me his experience and provide me with an insigh to what it is like working out in the business.

As mentioned in a previous question, I commute each day from Walsall to get to work in Derby. This costs me roughly £50 a week in petrol, however the salary we receive is far and away enough to cover these costs! I feel very proud in terms of how much I earn on this programme considering how young I am, not mentioning the extra money in terms of bonuses that you can earn throughout the year. In addition to this, the company pay the expenses for travelling to college or other work related activities, I feel this is really good and helps cover costs that you don't ocften budget for. Also our programme is based on a grading system, so as long as you pass the yearly boarding process your salary will continue to rise!

There are many opportunities outside of work - there are always social events being organised, for example this friday we have a football game versus another site, followed by a charity race night! We have a social commmitee, which involves alot of MAT's, therefore there is always lots of activities or events to get involved with. I feel like this is the biggest element of the programme that has suprised me, as I didn't realise how many opportunities I would get to take part in as I was applying for this programme. I also play football every Monday and Thursday with people from work and we even have our own team entered into a 5-aside league, this just emphasises how good this progamme is socially as well as professionally.

Yes

I would 100% recommend Rolls-Royce to a friend as it provides you with many opportunities both inside and outside of work. It helps enhance and develop skills that will be essential in both your career and your life, and sets you up for a bright future with some incredible and reputable qualifications - AAT & CIMA on the MAT programme. In addition to this, you will meet some incredible people on the way and have some incredible social experiences, all whilst getting paid to learn! The support is also second to none, we have our own personal finance coach and mentors from both work and our training provider, and we are surrounded by people who have been througbh the programme so help is always an email or a conversation away!

The biggest tip I would give to anyone applying is that all the hard work in the application process will be 100% worth it, receiving the offer was one of the best moments in my life and it made all the effort getting through the process worth it! In terms of the assessment day, I would tell people to do their best and always be theirself, and that not to worry about feeling nervous, as everyone is in the same position as you will be. Me personally I believe joining this programme was the best thing I could have done for my career, and if you are applying good luck!