Accounting Apprentice Review

I raise and issue client invoices and assist with any queries. Throughout the month I complete debtors reporting and complete supplier due diligence for various departments. I also assist with the completion of the budget returns by being part of the preparation of the forecast figures and also finalising them.

My communication skills are a lot better now that I have contact regularly with both internal and external members of staff. I have learnt important time management skills that allows my to organise my day to fit the organisation's needs. Attending Kaplan allows me to develop on the job by using my knowledge and putting it into practice.

I am fully satisfied with my program - my role is quite broad and being able to learn on the job and also put that knowledge into practice is very beneficial and I am grateful that I get to do that and am not limited to just one part of accounting.

I would say the program is structured well in regards to the fact that I will continue to develop as I continue to learn - I have already taken on a lot of additional responsibilities since starting my apprenticeship. I know where I will be at in my career at end of my apprenticeship.

I receive a lot of support from my employer when I need it. My line manager is really supportive if I have any questions regarding my accounting knowledge/job. We have a lot of focus on mental and physical health that is good with classes/chats available at any point.

Kaplan tutors are really useful in the knowledge aspect and I am really happy with the amount of support I receive in class. They are very helpful and will do whatever they can to ensure you understand the topic. I do not receive a lot of support from my talent coach, they don't answer questions directly and every interaction is rushed.

It is helpful for the knowledge but some of the processes are out-dated as there are a lot of programs now that will complete basic accounting for you, behind the scenes. Other than that though, it is really helping me to perform better in my role. Accounting basics are learnt at the very beginning of the apprenticeship so you already have an understanding to use at work, but as you progress though the modules you begin to develop your prior knowledge into a more advanced understanding.

Yes, we have a lot of extra-curricular activities to get involved in. We have sports teams, opportunities to become a mentor to new early talent (which includes professional training to be the best you can), lunch time gatherings to learn about a new topic, optional visits to customer seminars to really understand our purpose, and many more.

Yes

There is always an opportunity to develop your skills and even gain professional qualifications in role. Newcastle Building Society are really invested in their own people and have achieved IIP Gold. There is a genuine sense of everyone is a team and no matter what work you complete, it matters.

Be honest, don't lie about who you are or what you've done. Be yourself and strive to be the best version of yourself. Everything that we do here is for our purpose, so do research you apply or have an interview. Look at our website, look at what we offer, try to understand why it connects to our purpose.