FP&A Finance Analyst Review

I analyse the performance of specific business segments, and feedback to senior management what this means in terms of understanding past performance and understanding the way to drive future performance. This involves the use of various data sources in order to get to the bottom of what drives movements in profit or loss.

Yes, through my apprenticeship (known internally as the 'data academy'), I have learned how to use Python and SQL in order to assist with data analysis. Previous to attending this course, I would perform all data analysis through Excel, which is not a good tool for data analysis in volume, and allows for error. Python is a better tool to analyse large volumes of data at speed, and SQL allows for database development and management to better hold and analyse large volumes of data.

I really enjoy my programme. I have been wanting to study data techniques for a while before I joined this apprenticeship programme, so am thrilled to be studying this now. The course moves at a good pace to keep me engaged, and the course material is challenging enough to stretch me, while not being so difficult as to be inpenetrable.

The structure of the programme is excellent. Each topic contains some pre-work, a live (over the internet due to COVID) workshop, and then follow up work. The site used to deliver the pre- and post- workshop content is really intuitive and it is clear how to complete the tasks involved in each, and why they are useful in teaching the data techniques in question.

My employer is supportive of my work towards my apprenticeship - they recognise the value of educating their employees in data skills, particularly in my area (finance). My direct line manager is pragmatic in his support of my apprenticeship - he trusts me to manage my own time in order to complete my day job to a high standard and to complete my apprenticeship per the 20% off the job requirement. If necessary, he is happy to help me prioritise in order to allow for the apprenticeship to be completed while completing the most important and essential tasks of my main role.

Decoded are very supportive of me. I have an assigned mentor, who conducts monthly one to one sessions in order to run through latest progress and any issues I may have. I can always contact this mentor outside of our monthly sessions in order to ask specific questions about the syllabus area being studied, or more general questions re the apprenticeship. Decoded also have safeguarding contacts and regularly remind us that they are there to talk to if we are struggling with workload, stress or any other personal issues.

The apprenticeship applies directly to my day to day role. In FP&A I am very reliant on analysing large volumes of data relating to the revenue generated by customers and cost incurred while generating that revenue, however using Excel in order to analyse this as I have done previously is not the best way of conducting this analysis. I have produced SQL queries that automate some of the monthly analysis that I perform, which saves me a significant amount of time at month end when time is at a premium.

There are many extra-curricular activities at my work. Many clubs exist, ran by employees - for example there is a music club, a guitar players club, various sports clubs (e.g. 5 a side football) and much more. We tend to coordinate these via Workplace (a corporate version of Facebook), where each club has it's own Group. During the COVID restrictions none of us can meet face to face, but Workplace has helped in keeping contact. All employees are also given three days paid leave per year to conduct charity work - normally we take at least 1-2 per year within our teams in order to help with local initiatives, and during COVID we can put these towards volunteering at COVID vaccination centres.

Yes

First and foremost the people of Vodafone are its key asset. All line managers are very supportive of employees, and understand how to best help people be at their best at work, taking into account the stresses employees might be under outside of work. The roles I have experienced here have been challenging in the right way, allowing me to learn and expand my skillset. There is always the opportunity to progress within the company for someone willing to do this. The benefits (e.g. Vodafone's contribution to pension) are in line with other FTSE100 companies and are very competitive. Overall I'm very satisfied with Vodafone as an employer and would therefore recommend them to others.

First, be yourself! Vodafone is a company that is proud of the individuals that work for them, and want employees to bring their own personalities to their roles. At interview, your interviewer will want to get to know you as a person, and how you react to certain situations at work, so make sure you have a lot of examples of how you show your skills and attributes in your work. Make sure you have a list of questions to ask your interviewer at the end of your interview - not because employment websites will tell you that this is a clever thing to do, but because hiring managers will be forthcoming in answering, and you will really get a good idea of what it will be like to work for Vodafone. It is just as important for you to feel that Vodafone is a good fit for you, as for Vodafone to assess whether they want to hire you.