Commercial Finance Apprentice Review

My role is specifically within logistics and distirbution so I perfrom daily cost tracking and report this to the team in our distribtuion centres, as well as adhoc tasks to be able to identify problem areas and solutions. I also distribute the sales figures daily to the business each morning and report variances to the overheads team.

I have been able to build a new solid understanding of excel and it's functions whcih i did not have before my apprenticeship. As well as largely develop my analytical thinking skills by producing pieces of work on any issue in our process that need to be looked into. I have also been able to develop my communication skills as I have needed to build strong relationships with stakeholders around the business.

I am really enjoying my programme as I feel from the moment I started I was given responsibility for tasks and continuous support to help me develop my skills and confidence. Since then the responsibility and exposure to other business areas has only grown which is very motivating and gives me insight into the working of the wider business.

My programme is well organised, I have frequent meeting with my talent coach to discuss my personal and professional development as well as AOR meetings with my manager. I have a clear plan for my exams and when I will aim to complete them and a structured programme for my classes that I attend each week.

I receive immense support from my employer. My line manager is fantastic to help with any queries I may have with any taks or with my course content. The support stretches beyond my manager to the whole commercial finance team that will support me in any way they can with my tasks and development.

My talent coach is easy to contact about any issues and the course itself has tutors that are on hand to answer any questions I may have about the content. They also provide all the necessary resources for the course and are accomodating if there are problems with booking exams.

The content I am learning directly applies to my dya to day taks in my role. For example costing ans setting budgets I can interchange knowledge between the qualification and the takss within my role. I also prepare some of the management accounts each month so this applies directly to the qualification content.

There are multiple extra curriculur activities to get involved in for example there is a badminton team that meet each Thursday, made up of memebers of the finance team. There are also opportunities to lunch and learn with people throughout the business to network with other departments.

Yes

I have been made to feel extremely welcome by the team from the moment I started and have had clear goals and targets set to help towards my professional development. There has been a great balance between support and independence from my managers to ensure I always feel confident to ask for help when needed but I am also pushed to used my own initiave. The exposure I have had to professional discussions and to stakeholders around the business has exceeded my expectations.

Be prepared to have responsibility and have confidence in your ability to learn, as you might be unfamiliar with the office environment and processes used but you will receive lots of support and mentoring along the way.