Professional Accountant Review

I am a professional accountant/ finance business partner. This role involves me analysing financial information and producing reports, whilst also reconciling statements, presenting my findings from financial data, and building reports to improve finance processes within RSA. On a monthly basis, I will analyse the expenses for various functions, draw conclusions from this and find inventive ways to coherently present my findings to functions, this enables them to ensure they are on budget and do not overspend.

I have learnt skills on how to keep organised through using software and documenting tasks, when undertaking several tasks on a monthly basis it is very important to keep organised and ensure deadlines are met with high quality work.I have majorly improved my ability to use Microsoft excel software. I use this software the most and have developed my ability to use excel to aid in simplifying my ability to manipulate masses of data.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme, it has helped me develop my skills and capabilities in many ways, and allows me to have regular reflection with managers for feedback, and to help me set myself further targets to aim to meet. I am able to also network with people within the business to understand how I want my career to develop after the apprenticeship, and I have a mentor and buddy to help support and guide me throughout.

My programme I would say is well organised. We have been informed of the 3 year rotations between London and Liverpool, and allocated a buddy and mentor to support any questions we have. We also have monthly graduate meetings, where we get updates on the graduate program and also have the opportunity to ask any questions about the structure of the programme constantly. We also were provided with documents such as booklets filled with structural information.

I receive a lot of support from RSA, I am given both a mentor and buddy, my mentor a more senior member of staff within the business, and my buddy someone on the graduate program at a higher stage. This allows me to benefit from support from my mentor who has access to the wider RSA network and has a lot of experience to share with me to help support me, but also my buddy who is somewhat more relatable as they have been through the same process as me but are further in, so they're able to support more with graduate program related queries and help with any anxieties. I also have a Kaplan mentor who helps me to keep track of my apprenticeship and supports me with my ACCA exams.

I receive a lot of support from Kaplan my training providers. Prior to my course tuition sessions, there was a lot of training modules to complete just to help give us a foundation of the working environment and the maths and English tests also helped refresh my skills. I also have a Kaplan learning coach, who I meet with once every 6 months but who is easily accessible should I have any training needs, they are always happy to help.

My qualification to become a chartered accountant with ACCA is very relevant to my role as a professional accountant and helps me to understand the financial statements more when I am reporting on the expenses within them. I feel as I am improving my learning through studying for the qualification, I feel more confident whilst I am at work, as I have an improved understanding and feel confident delivering my findings as I know how things are accounted for.

There haven't been as many due to covid-19 restrictions. However I attended a few pub quiz nights/ Christmas quizzes online. I have also volunteered to take part in the preparation of the financial grad newsletter. The business also have a finance culture club where we can network and socialise together through quiz-like activites over skype calls. I think covid-19 has made it more difficult to undertake extra-curricular activites, however nevertheless RSA has provided sufficient opportunity for this.

Yes

A friendly business, that are supportive and provide opportunities for you to develop your skills whilst studying towards a professional qualification. The business allows opportunities for you to learn about other areas of the business, and develop your career. The business is a successful FTSE 100 diverse firm, where differences are embraced, and everyone can contribute ideas to discussions no matter what level you are within the business. I was made to feel very welcomed and secure whilst joining in a period where they has been a lot of uncertainty due to covid-19.

I would give the advice to be yourself throughout the whole application process, showcase your strengths, and show how passionate and keen you are to be a part of the business. Make sure you understand what insurance is and what the company values are, and also understand how you can contribute to the business, but also how you fit into the RSA model. I would suggest reading around the industry and research into RSA and its position globally.