Financial Accounts Apprentice Review

My role is on the purchase ledger and treasury department within finance and involves dealing with supplier accounts on a daily basis, such as highlighting statements we receive from suppliers, requesting statements when needed and registering and scanning invoices into our accounting system that we receive from suppliers daily. I also update spreadsheet reports daily that are rolled forward each day and come through our head office in Geneva.

I have learnt skills within the new software I am using as before joining I had no previous experience with accounting software and as its a shipping company I have also been taught how to use different programmes that relate to the shipping element. I have improved my communication skills as well as teamwork and professional skills through skills days with my training provider.

I enjoy how structured the programme is and i have help available to me when I need it and can always ask questions or ask colleagues for help if I am stuck with anything. I have been given alot of training to help me do my job role and I am also given oportunities to work with other departments within finance to increase my knowledge of how the company operates as a whole.

First Intuition the training provider I am using for my AAT qualification within Accounting are organised in the sense that I always know when i will be attending courses for my qulification and always send out email remiders of course dates and skills workshop days I can attend. I have an assigned skills coach who is there to support me during my apprenticeship programme.

I receive support within work and my tasks I am completing and am always able to ask for help on my team or my manager when i need it. I also have 1 to 1 meetings with my manager to check my progress and see how I am getting on at work and with my AAT qualification. I also receive support with travel costs to attend my apprenticeship AAT courses as well as skills days and exams. My company support me very well and HR provide us with many benefits including staff discounts for shops via a discount site and eye care vouchers.

I attend courses for my qualification which involve me travelling to Chelmsford for class taught lessons. The lessons are well structured and i am given plenty of material and resources for each unit such as course notes, practise questions, mock exams and revision help from the tutor if needed. I also have a skills and development coach who supports me on my journey through my apprenticeship and has a review with me every few months on how I am getting on, what I need to do to improve and information that I need regarding my courses. She is also the person I can speak to regarding and queries or questions I may have at work or with the training provider.

First Intuition provide students with skills workshop days for soft skills such as communication, teamwork & negoatiation, problem solving and descision making as well as dealing with difficult people and situations. These skills days have enabled me to be more aware at work of what to do in a difficult situation as well as helped me improve my teamwork and communication skills. My AAT lessons so far have enabled me to be better at my job role as I have put theory learnt in class into practise at work and have been able to understand what to do on different occasions. I am also more knowledgable in the accounting industry due to being taught lessons at FI allowing me to further progress at my job.

From what I am aware of there are no specific activities planned however there are often social events for charity that involve different activities. There is also a gym accross the road which offers discount to MSC employees encouraging staff to get involved in more sports. Many people use this offer and regurarly go to the gym.

Yes

MSC allows employees to progress through their job roles to higher roles if they wish to do so as well as support those who want to work in the role they are currently doing. Everyone is kind and friendly and will always offer to help. MSC have a good support system in place for staff and my expereicne so far through my apprentcieship at MSC has been very good. I enjoy working for the company and what it has to offer.

As long as you are portraying yourself in a professional manner and a way in which you believe you would positivly attribute the company through a job role that suits you then go ahead and apply. There are many different job roles available in a variety of departments including accounts, haulage, marketing and much more so there is likely to be a position that suits you.