Accounts Assistant Review

I have been working in the FNPO team, and my daily tasks have been varied and course appropriate. I have a weekly debt report that I submit as part of my role, and assist day to day in providing reports on all ranges of subjects. I have been working on producing travel analysis reports, Freight income per Kilogram transported, Mobile Phone usage. In addition I have assisted in automating many of the departments excel sheets using Index Match formulas to ensure that systems are now faster and are almost autonomous.

I have been able to reinforce what I have been studying in my own personal revision on balance sheets, conducting reports in the correct period. In addition I have used many new programs like Business Analytics, Hyperion, Essbase etc. In addition with thanks to Simon Harding I have been able to really understand the way the company runs which I have personally identified as key to performing well in such a large corporation.

I find that my programme is very effective as during my stay I will take part in 4-6 month placements all around the company, this enables me to learn all aspects of the company to not only further my understanding on the underpinnings of the company but also to figure out the exact role that I would like to perform once my apprenticeship commences.

Under my current placement manager Simon Harding it has been very well organised, I have always had meaningful work provided that is beneficial to the team and not admin based. I have been made to feel an integral part of the team during my time in FNPO. As for the rest of the programme that will be decided by the performance of my other placement managers that I will meet throughout my stay at Network Rail.

If I am ever in need of any assistance Network Rail has provided both mobile phones and personal laptops that can be used to contact any of my team members. In addition during the period of bad weather I was able to avoid any potential danger by working from home which also allowed for improved efficiency.

My training provider in my personal opinion has been very poor. My line managers have often had to chase questions up 2-3 times with responses often taking more than 5 days to receive a definitive answer. In addition it seems that procedures within Kaplan are not used by all employees within the company as booking exams has proven to be of high hassle as employees aren't fully informed as to which way students can book exams, sometimes the provider is able to and other times it is us students that will need to book them.

The content I am taught (usually through my own revision) is useful, and applied in day to day tasks. The online content provided is very useful but I must add that classrooms are often full (27-30 students) meaning that learning in the class is not the best as there is always large amounts of noise and disruption.

Yes, often in Network Rail employees are incouraged to visit and network with as many other individuals in order to broaden understanding of the company. In addition, the company provides 5 days annually in order to participate in charitable causes and help out. In addition there are gym facilities onsite (Quadrant MK).

Yes

Since joining I have been met with very friendly staff that are always happy to help me should I need it. In addition the office space is very clean and provides a safe and effective place to work. In addition, it is clear to see that as a Network Rail employee you are valued as part of the business which helps to promote high moral and large capacity utilisation.

When applying I feel it would be important to show your desire for safety, that as an individual you are often customer based and can clearly provide situations where you have clearly shown going above and beyond for customer satisfaction. In addition I would suggest an individual to be themselves as Network Rail is a company that allows individuals to work to there own benefits.