Finance Apprentice Review

My daily tasks are to review the financials of the business including if they are on forecast or going under or over. I interact daily with the wider functional team including my line manager. The projects I work on are government based so should not be discussed outside of the workplace.

I have development my qualifications by being put through CIMA which is externally taught by KAPLAN. I have also done multiple internal courses around excel usage, presentation skills and mental health awareness. As part of my further development I have participated in stretch assignments that involve presenting to a large number of people which has helped to improve my confidence.

I really enjoy my work, I have a good relationship with both my small project team and the wider finance team. We have a good relationship both inside and outside of work, regularly meeting out of office hours. The company culture has definitely helped especially when i first started as i was made to feel very welcome. It exceeds my expectations.

The apprenticeship is very well structured, at the start of the programme i had a 2 week induction to introduce me into the business. We have 12 weekly reviews with our apprentice lead, monthly reviews with a mentor and monthly meetings with the rest of the finance apprentices. My study is very flexible as i am allowed to request which order i do the KAPLAN courses in the best way for me.

I receive a huge amount of support, firstly i have my line manager and project team who i speak to daily, I then have the finance apprentices who are people going through the same thing as me so are really good to talk to and finally i have my apprentice lead and mentor who support me in all my studies and stretch activities.

I receive a lot of support from KAPLAN through the opportunity to email my tutor, the ask a tutor function online and the online chat panel which allows a response at any time. The website also has the ability to watch quick tutorials or re watch a lecture. I really enjoy learning through KAPLAN

What I'm learning definitely relates to my day to day role, looking at the variance between budget, actuals and forecast is something i do daily and it is a huge topic within the P1 course. This has been extremely helpful as the theory I am learning is being put into practice.

I get involved in the BAE National Apprentice council through my job via monthly meetings which allows me to interact with people who work for the company all across the globe, this is really interesting as it shows me how different business units work and the different products that they all make.

Yes

I would recommend BAE to a friend as the opportunities to develop and grow are endless at a company like this, you are constantly supported within your day to day life and pushed to achieve the best you can for yourself. It also allows you with the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.

I would advise people to be themselves within the whole application process. They should research the company, what it does and its key values as that is most likely what they will ask questions on. Within they onboarding process i would advise people just make the most of the information your being told.