Finance Graduate Review

My role entails Monthly and Quarterly Finance reporting where I created accounting journals and track progress against pre-set KPIs. Where metrics are under performing I must highlight these to ensure action is taken accordingly. Also, I am responsible for undertaking risk analysis whereby I track the risk of my departments operations and continually identify where risk exposure exceeds the company's appetite.

I have undertaken a lot of training since starting my role including soft skills training such as resilience training, effective influencing training and insights. Also, I have received training in Forecasting, Budgeting, Variance Analysis and how to identify and monitor risk. This is on top of training within my CIMA studies where I learn Management accounting and Financial accounting concepts.

I really enjoy my programme as I believe I am learning lots within it whilst also working alongside a great team. I enjoy the work I conduct and I am able to see how the work is having a large impact on my department and the firm as a whole.

The programme is very organised and structured. There are regular 121's to ensure planned work is achieved and also quarterly training programmes which are planned in advance to ensure work can be fit around this. Within my team specifically, there are regular meetings to set agendas and ensure all support and resources are in place to complete required work.

My employer provides a lot of support including different teams which provide support. These different teams support from a different perspective (e.g. one ofr training, one for general well being etc.). This ensures all aspects of my working life are kept on track and support is available for when it is needed.

My training provider provides a lot of support including help with scheduling exams, advice on different exam routes and regular check ups to ensure everything is going smoothly in relation to my progress. There is also an introductory call prior to enrolling on each unit which explains all the different help available.

The qualification has direct links to the work I complete on a weekly basis (e.g. budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and other accounting concepts). Having a more detailed knowledge of these concepts has enabled me to complete work to a higher level as I have fully understood the impact of the work.

There are many opportunities to partake in social activities and sports including a club whereby employees sign up and have access to an entire sports site and play sport alongside colleagues. This is great for sporty people like me as some of the sports available are ones noty always available locally.

Yes

The company is a great place to work which invests heavily in you. There are many opportunities for development and to make a real difference to the company and the staff are all very friendly and always happy to help. Professional development is a real key aim for the company and all employees are made to feel valued.

The company possesses a unique structure and therefore my advice would be to understand the structure of the company as this really helps to understand the culture of the organisation and why it is such a great place to work. Another tip would be to have an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses and how these could be utilised (and strengthened) on the programme for which you are applying.