Accounts Assistant Review

My role in the Accounts department is to keep the customer's accounts up to date by applying payments, refunds, or settlements as well as reconciling bank statements and reports to ensure smooth running of the business. I also proactively manage different projects in the team to allow us to keep up with the business' everchanging demands.

The main skills I have developed during my apprenticeship have been communication and project management. Running inter-departmental projects has meant I have needed to work with a wide range of people I wouldn't usually interact with. More specifically, I learnt to manage risk registers, increase/decrease bank loans via online transfers, and reconcile bank statements to name a few.

I enjoy my programme very much. I have been exposed to an extremely wide range of tasks and people that are not available to a lot of other apprentices that I know of at different companies. I am supported with my university studies as well as my development within the workplace to allow me to thrive as much as I can.

The programme is very well structured. We visit university every other month, are are fully supported with set study days back at work. Everyone is aware of the pressures this puts on you and are always willing to help out. Timetables are clearly set by the university to allow you to plan months into the future and be a lot more organised with your own work.

As previously mentioned, I receive a lot of support from my employer. They understand the course and are always willing to offer their knowledge in a certain area where necessary. The same applies for other departments that do not have apprentices, they will always give their time to ensure you are achieving the best possible grades.

The teachers are university are always offering their support before, during and after a module. They will often check work for you whilst you are writing an assignment to offer direction where necessary, as well as offering detailed feedback afterwards. As there are a lot of students, responses aren't always fast, but this is to be expected.

When at university I always feel I learn something that can be taken back to work and applied to the business. As we cover a wide range of subjects, and are in class with students from a variety of businesses, it is interesting to compare workplaces and how different theories and concepts can be applied. I can take knowledge from the module, as well as from other business' back to my workplace to develop myself.

There are many social activities to get involved in at work. A quarterly team building budget allows for social interaction with your team outside of the working day, for example a meal out, or an escape room to increase team morale. There is also a football team which gets together weekly, however this has obviously been put on hold due to the pandemic.

Yes

First Response focusses massively on self-development as well as providing a lot of support for your university studies. They actually do care about their employees as well, as shown by not participating in the furlough scheme to ensure financial stability for all members of staff.

I would advise people applying here to show an interest in self-development, as well as being able to work well in a team. Showing both of these skills will ensure you achieve your maximum potential at First Response Finance.