Finance Apprentice Review

I deal with a third party contract, any changes that are made to the contract and the costs of these changes, communicating with the finance partners to ensure we have the budget for the change. I am involved in the Service Management side of Global Finance Services, so I also monitor Service Level Agreements which are linked to the performance of the third party. If they are performing well and meet the levels agreed there is no need to change anything or intervene, if target levels aren't met then we have to look at why and possible service credits. Another part of my role is Service Alerts, this is where if something goes wrong, eg an IT fault which will affect Finance Services, I have to ensure that the fault is fixed and a root cause is found to stop this from happening again. I have also taken on some KPI (Key Performance Indicator) reporting.

I have definitely developed my confidence and communication skills. Coming into the apprenticeship I had vey little knowledge about finance, but now I have a sound understanding thanks to my role and working through CIMA which I hope to continue to build on. Whatever role you do in finance services there will always be a need to use excel! I have definitely become better at using excel.

My programme so far has been great, I enjoy the work I do as every day it is different, and is nothing like I have done before. the CIMA exam I have just completed I could relate to my role which I found vey beneficial. Everyone is always extremely supportive and there if you need help and also appreciate the fact that I am an apprentice so need the time to study too.

Our programme is 18months, in this time we have to complete 4 exams, write 4/5 portfolio pieces and an end point assessment. We can book the exams when we feel ready to take them which is great as we can balance study with work perfectly. We have to spend 20% of our week developing ourselves, this could be spending some time revising during work hours, doing presentations. Anything extra to our normal job role that benefits and develops us.

A lot, my manager has had two apprentices before me, so she always checks how my 20% and study's are going, always makes sure I have the correct amount of work and I am not struggling with my workload. We are encouraged to be confident to speak up if we don't understand something or if we need some support, and whenever we do support/help is always given.

We have a call with our Learning Development coach around once a month, where we just have a catch up on things that are going well, our next steps and also this would be a chance to raise anything we don't feel comfortable with in the workplace if we don't want to speak to our managers about it - obviously working at GSK a problem like this has never happened for me. Also the lectures are all very well explained and if we have something we are stuck on we can contact tutors as and when.

The second exam I completed linked really well to my role and I saw opportunities in my every day role to apply my learnings from my exam. The exam was based on ethics, contracts and law. As I deal with the third party contract a lot of the content was interlinked. I know second year apprentices say the later exams link to their role, as in second year placement it will be more linked to the accounting side of finance and there are two exams for this - so I am looking forward to seeing how my role and those two exams link.

At GSK House we have a gym, which has everything you would need, including a studio. The gym offers various classes including yoga, pilates, spinn! Almost all the classes are included in the gym membership and you can also get access to the squash courts! The company have a Christmas party every year which you can get involved with planning. GSK offer 'Orange Days' which you can do once a year, usually with your team, you spend a day doing voluntary work. I was lucky enough to do an Orange Day within my first month at GSK, we were working in a warehouse preparing stock for charity shops, it was a great way to get involved in charity work and also to get to know your team. Most teams try and do team events monthly, at the minute our team is planning to do tough mudder in the upcoming months! There is so much on offer outside of your day to day job.

Yes

When I was applying for apprenticeships, GSK was the one I really wanted to get, the company has such a good reputation, its goal is to help people and to be involved with that at 18 is such an achievement in itself. I moved down to London for the job (from near Manchester!), I was extremely nervous a this was such a big change, going straight from 6th form with all my friends to moving down to a full time job on my own! All the people at GSK are so friendly and open to helping you with anything. GSK provide so many opportunities to better yourself in your role and as a person, it is a great place to be able to work.

The interviews and assessments days of course will be very nerve-racking, but be confident in what you are saying and be your best self! Put the time in to prepare for interviews and assessment days, make sure you show how much you want the apprenticeship and give your assessors reasons to pick you.