Audit and Compliance Apprentice Review

Working as independent 3rd line assurance to ensure that the business meets and exceeds the appropriate compliance and regulatory standards. This involves focused reviews into different areas of the business to ascertain standards. Results are recorded and reports are written to document the findings, with feedback fed into the business where necessary.

I have gained an Honours Degree in Business Management Learnt professional communication skills to hold meetings and carry out presentations Improved my ability to critically think and look at independent, fact based evidence Developed my report writing skills to deliver information that is detailed and appropriately geared towards the reader

I enjoy my programme a lot. I think that the underlying structure of a degree apprenticeship is a hard, if not good one but we are given the best tools to tackle it. We are introduced to the organisational culture which is focused around continual learning, and this matches the ethos of the apprenticeship. I enjoy how everything 'fits' within the company.

Very well structured. From the first 4 weeks of induction to understand the company and our team, right the way through to Apprenticeship days and regular mentor catch-ups, to sharing knowledge amongst other apprentices, to support with the EPA. There is a specific Learning and Support team that focus on making our experience as smooth as possible. This team communicates with my line manager regularly to ensure good communication.

The support from First Response allowed me to focus my learning to extract most from the experience. This was achieved through being given time and understanding, as well as being trusted with opportunities to further my learning in order to practically apply my studies. I have had academic help, and the company takes an interest in my general well-being, all of which contributes towards my general apprenticeship experience being the best that it can be.

We have a mentor who we use to discuss all apprenticeship matters away from the day job. As this person has completed a degree themselves, they are well placed to offer academic advice, and if it was from them who I learnt how to write to a 'degree level' when I first began. The input from my mentor had a direct impact on my finishing grade.

The qualification has allowed me to think more deeply about our business and forced me to think critically about how we can improve, and why we do what we do with our customers. It has opened my eyes to different ways or working amongst different industries, and taught me the importance of customer focus and continuous improvement in order to succeed.

Each team is given £25 per head, per quarter to spend on a team building activity, so naturally this has allowed me to get to know my colleagues on a more personal level, as well as providing me with activities that I would not ordinarily do. I am also given the chance to take part in industry CPD free of charge, and there are regular company updates and wellbeing days to share and grow our organisational culture.

Yes

This is a company that cares about its people because it recognises that the company is worthless without it. I believe that the majority of people here care about the customer getting the best and most efficient outcome for the customer. This reaps natural financial rewards which means that this is a secure and attractive place to work, with many benefits.

Be yourself and don't be scared. This is not a corporate company and has no desires to be. It cares more about its people, their attitude, and their learning over grades or previous experience. Think of all the times that you have experienced good, fair, quality service, and how that may have come about - this is what First Response is constantly striving to achieve.