Accounts Assistant Review

Our team overall carries out the day to day accounting functions for the Car Store dealerships across the UK. Specifically my sub-team covers vehicle debtors and creditors - handling customer and finance debt on vehicles as well as settling outstanding finance on any vehicles we take in as part exchange. We also handle trade debt for any cars that are sent to auction. We chase our sites every day regarding any overdue debtors, hoping to acquire copies of finance remittances as well as querying any customer payments that we cannot locate.

Before joining this team I had no previous experience of accounting other than the studying I had done at the time (AAT Level 2). I have learnt not only how to deal with vehicle debt but also spent several months on purchase ledger so also learnt how to post supplier invoices and credit notes as well as carrying out statement reconciliations and processing payments to our suppliers. I have also been required to use Excel quite a lot which has led to the learning of various formulas in order to make my daily workload easier.

I very much enjoy what I do at work and also the studying I do at home. I am always eager to learn anything new and useful and so far everything I have learnt I feel will greatly benefit me in my future as an (eventual) accountant. The chance also to mix with like-minded people in the same profession and on the same path has made the process even more enjoyable as well as allowing to work on my social skills and become more open-minded to new people and new ideas.

I feel it is very well organised. Whenever I am presented with any kind of information it is always laid out in a clear and structured way, making it a lot easier to work through. Even when there is a large amount of information all in one place it is still easy to work through. Also each individual unit is separated from the others and they don't seem to overlap which also helps a great deal in studies.

A great deal. We often receive emails from the office leaders providing us with any relevant updates to our apprenticeships and they have also hosted numerous meetings to give things a more personal touch. My own team leader also does whatever he can to help the team with all tings apprenticeship, as does my sub-team supervisor, both of whom have been/are going through the levels of studying themselves so they are able to reflect on their own experience and pass this on in a way that not only helps me but also encourages me to push myself to get the best I can from my studies.

Again a great deal. I have attended numerous online seminars and the tutors always deliver the information in a clear and precise way but they add a personal touch to prevent it from seeming robotic. The tutors then post any further relevant information on the course homepage for all students to see. Also our talent coach Melanie Dickens from Kaplan constantly keeps in touch to see how I am getting along and keeps a helpful track of my progress as well as helping me keep my own records up to date.

So far the knowledge I have acquired from my Level 3 has not yet played a part in my daily job role but the studying has helped me work on my patience and discipline and further into my career the knowledge will be essential so it is better to be learning now to better prepare myself for the future.

From time to time our office does organise nights out to allow team members across the entire office to bond as well as to kick back and enjoy life which allows for a more relaxing atmosphere at work. Also several times throughout the year there are large charity fun days being held which also bring people together and allow us all to have some fun as well as raising money for good causes.

Yes

I have been with Pendragon for several years and have not had any desire to look for a job elsewhere. It is a company that not only allows opportunities for development and progression but actively encourages it. I worked in a few different sections of the company before deciding to go into accounting and in each role I learned many valuable lessons and met some really good people so being a part of this company has been very beneficial and has felt very rewarding.

I would advise them to have a clear idea of what kind of path they want to take through the company. Until I chose to go into accounting I did not have this so I would advise anyone else to have this before joining any company. Also I would recommend doing research on the company and learning as much as possible, this would help them to better settle into the company and also help them make a good impression on their potential leaders and colleagues.