Finance & Accounting Apprentice Review

During my apprenticeship, I will rotate between several teams within the business. I am currently in my first placement within a cost control team. My role here is to record, analyse and report project spend and costs and undertake related cost control activities. On a day to day basis I check my emails and complete any ad hoc requests that I have received. I also check that the finance register that we use is up to date and correct whilst also attending any meetings that I have in that day. Furthermore, I complete reconciliations, submit approvals and produce reports for myself and my colleagues.

Yes, I have learnt new skills but also developed my existing skills. For example, I had very basic knowledge or how to use Microsoft Excel prior to me starting my apprenticeship. However, I am now proficient in using this software and feel much more confident. This is down to being able to use the software and practice with different types of data. There are also opportunities to attend training courses specifically for Excel that I have found very helpful. There are a variety of other training courses available for different topics that I am always encouraged to go to which I find useful.

I really enjoy this programme as there are several placements that I will be rotating through during my apprenticeship so I feel like I am getting a wide range of experiences that I can apply in any future roles that I am in. So far, everyone I have worked with have been very supportive, especially when it comes to my studies. My colleagues are always there if I have any questions and are happy to help with anything.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the start of my apprenticeship scheme could have been organised slightly better but under the circumstances at that time it was still good. For example, there could have been more communication as to the start date and induction date of my apprenticeship as it seems like it was decided last minute which wasn't helpful. However, now that I have started the programme and have been placed into a team I now feel more confident in the organisation and structure of the apprenticeship scheme.

I feel like I am given a lot of support from my employer. At my induction, myself and my cohort were informed of the range of support systems that are available to us. I feel like I can talk to my scheme managers if I have any issues and they will help with this. I have also been made aware of a support system that I can go to that is not my scheme manager or placement manager that I can talk to about any issues if I don't want to get my managers involved.

I feel like there is room for more support when it comes to my training provider. This is because, due to Covid-19, lessons have been reduced from 1 day a week (like the previous cohorts have had) to 1 morning lesson every 3/4 weeks. This puts a big time constraint on how much we can be taught before our exams and we usually have to request more lessons to be scheduled. However, my skills coach with this college has been very supportive and is very dedicated to helping us achieve our qualifications and I feel like I can always come to them with any issues, personal or college related.

I feel that my qualification does help me to perform better in my role. This is because I am learning the theory behind what I am actually doing at work. This helps me to understand why I am doing a particular activity at work and not just understanding how to complete it. For example, one of my tasks is completing an accruals workbook and I was shown how to complete it through my team at work but I understood more about why I was completing it and the bigger picture through my the qualification.

Yes, each team can be different but within the team that I am currently working in, we have a monthly social event that is arranged by someone within the team and that everyone is invited to. More recently the events have been help over Skype due to Covid-19 but we are looking to arrange social events that are now in person, such as going to a meal and/or crazy golf. There are also professional networking events that apprentices are invited to every couple of months.

Yes

It is a great place to work as I am gaining a range of experiences and I feel fully supported through both my scheme and placement. I also like that after 6 months we are able to be put on a flexible working system where we can work more hours (within reason) and build time to take off in future. I am also paid really well for an apprenticeship which makes this apprenticeship stand out above others.

Take advantage of any opportunities that are offered to you and don't be afraid to ask any questions, even if you feel like there are silly, because all questions are welcomed and are encouraged. I would also recommend creating a group chat with the other apprentices in your cohort as it can be easier asking them questions as opposed to a manager and they are in the same boat as you.