Finance & Accounting Apprentice Review

My day to day varies at the moment. I mainly process invoices that we have been sent by suppliers for products/services, I run invoice reports to highlight any errors when processing or incomplete invoices. I contact suppliers/colleagues regarding invoices also in order to resolve any queries that may arise. I will be working in projects, grants, management accounting, payroll and general finance over the course of my apprenticeship. I also create content related to my apprenticeship for my personal social media and I've been approached by companies to create content also.

I've developed my written communication skills as it's something I did not have any previous experience with this. I've learnt how to process invoices and what I need to look out for when doing so. I've learnt how to file and cross reference timesheets submitted for projects. I'm currently studying towards my level 2 AAT so it's interesting to do this alongside my role as some parts are applicable.

I really enjoy my programme and regret not starting when I was younger but everything happens for a reason. I've always known that my employer is a great employer as I've worked within the Colleges from the age of 16 so I knew I was joining a great company. My team are super supportive also which means I always have someone to go to if I need help.

My induction was really smooth I thought it would take quite a while to get settled in but I felt settled quite quickly although I started when some people were still WFH. I have exams every 2 months as I'm studying towards my level 2 AAT so that can be quite full on especially as it gets closer to exams. You find out the exam dates in your first lesson at College so you know when they will be. I have 1-2-1 meetings every week with my manager and I speak with her everyday. I'm being trained by the previous apprentice who I speak with everyday as she's constantly teaching me new processes. There's flexibility in my day-to-day tasks although I try to keep it structured if I need to spend time doing something else I'm able to communicate this with my supervisor quite easily.

I receive quite a lot of support from my employer this is something I always speak about when discussing this with potential apprentices. I meet with my manager once a week but we speak most days and I speak with my supervisor everyday. I know how to contact HR as and when needed and my college are easy to contact also. My employer and college have been really good with supporting me with my exam anxiety.

My tutor is very accessible and always happy to help. I'm aware of the different types of support I can receive from my college and they have been really good with helping with my exam anxiety and receiving extra time. I enjoy my course but it can be quite full on spending a whole day at College for my study day

My qualification doesn't align directly with day-to-day role but there are some crossovers at times. I've definitely been able to put some of the theory into practise but I wouldn't say it directly links at the moment. I definitely know more about the industry through completing my qualification but it's a different type of finance and accounting.

We have a great ambassador programme at my workplace whereby you can volunteer to become an apprentice ambassador to spread the word about apprenticeships at job/school/career fairs or on social media. We also have an apprentice networking group whereby we can socialise with the other apprentices throughout the company. There are apprentices in different departments/different fields so there's a lot of opportunity to socialise.

Yes

I would 100% recommend it to a friend as they pay incredibly well, there's a lot of support within the university and also amongst the apprentices which is really nice to have. There are so many different types of apprenticeships offered in different departments so you're likely to find something you are looking for. It's a great employer to work for overall as we get quite a lot of holiday also at 38 days I believe. You can work from home depending on your role/department rules. There are a ton of benefits and little to no drawbacks of joining the university.

I would research the apprenticeship you're applying for to see whether it's the role for you and how you would like to use it so will you continue on the higher levels or do you know what position you will go onto after the apprenticeship. I recommend also prepping well for the interview so looking at the job/person specification and writing down examples of when you've demonstrated that skill or behaviour so you have examples if you are asked in the interview. Don't be afraid to ask for help either so whether that's with exam stress, anxiety, extra time or if you don't know how to do something as there's always someone who will be happy to help you. It's not embarrassing and nobody expects you to know anything or everything. ENJOY IT! It's such a great experience so make the most of it when you do join.