Finance Apprentice Review

With my apprenticeship I am on I will do a rotation in different finance teams every 9 months. I am currently in Reg Reporting and focusing just now on the end of Quarter one and Finrep. My role includes analysing financial data, posting and approving adjustments and any roll forward/admin for my team.

I have massively improved on a lot of my weaker skills, I previously worked in the branch environment so customer service was my bread and butter but now I am using excel skills I never knew I had, learning to use different fintech and using analysing skills to inter put data.

So far I am really enjoying my team and the environment I work in, my only complaint is working from home is very isolating and can sometimes feel a bit lonely especially if you are a new start. I am really enjoying the exams so far, got 91% on my first AAT exam and have another one next week.

When I first joined the team I felt like it had just been sprung on my manager and he was a bit unsure what to do with me, however I quickly showed how keen I was and have taken on some big projects since joining three months ago. Bpp my trainer provider isn't the best if I'm going to be honest but i think thats partially due to the way the course is set out with no live lectures to ask questions on.

I have worked with Natwest for almost five years and I rate them very highly. My dad is a senior manager within Natwest and he has been there for 26 years this year. When I was in school I wanted to do something fashion related or to do with my English but my dad had brought up working for the bank and working my way up like him and I have honestly never looked back. All my friends work for natwest and they say the same.

So far I havent found BPP/AAT very helpful. When trying to book my exam in Edin I went round in circles before one of the other apprentices told me to just to phone the exam centre myself and claim the fee back on expenses. I wish there was a way to ask questions as well about the course as It is very hard sometimes self learning from home.

what I am learning vs what my role is arent very similar simply because of the scale of Natwest vs small business examples used in course work. However what is being covered is the backbone of accountancy so i am sure these are skills that will be very useful come sept time with uni

I have always tried to be social with the other apprentices and have actually booked my exam the same day as a few of them so we can meet for some lunch (maybe wine depending on results...) after. I was the one to set up the weekly call and I do try to keep in touch with Lauren and Ross everyday. As for my team, they are a fair bit older than me and with current climate of WFH nobody is very social.

Yes

Natwest is a great place to work and develop skills. One of my friends is trying to find a new job and wants a job were she can gain qualifications, I told that even in Natwest call centres they will put you through personal banking exams and if she joins the branch she will be put through her certificate and ICOBS/BCOBS and CMat if she works hard and shows she wants it.

Be prepared to put the graft in be social and get to know colleagues/apprentices show you are willing to learn and adapt bring a can do attitude to work focus on getting one thing right rather than rushing and making mistakes use your time wisely and see what qualifications you can gain