Finance Analyst Review

My current role involves compiling financial reports, supporting budgeting and forecasting activities for the company, and various smaller projects associated with financial planning and accounting. I am also involved with undertaking research to produce competitor reports to support business decisions at a senior level. There is no standard day - the work varies to an annual cycle, and the variety allows me to work with various teams.

In the past 6 months, I have been given the opportunity to learn about various areas and teams of the company. My managers were understanding of my weaker skills and supported me by working with me to agree on tasks that could develop not only my knowledge, but also my skills in a holistic manner. As a result, I have gained not only new skills directly associated with my role, but soft skills that are transferable across the company and beyond.

The company has been very supportive in many different ways, I have had such positive and consistent communications with my role and apprenticeship managers that the challenge of balancing work and study responsibilities has been very manageable. I am able to openly discuss and agree work commitments, making adjustments where required and possible, to ensure I still have time for my studies. The supportive environment extends to managers encouraging prioritisation of studying, wherever workload allowing, to ensure my own personal development.

On the employer-side, the programme is generally quite well organised. There is a clear outline plan for the full 3 years of the programme with annual rotations planned into the schedule. There is also introduction of other responsibilities, such as buddying, with the view of helping apprentices develop other skills and contribute back to the community. As the programme has been refreshed for this cycle, there are some uncertainties in the plan, but from the approaches adopted so far, I believe these will become clearer with some testing. Additionally, the high-level schedule also allows for some flexibility and so the programme seems adaptive to change.

My employers have been supportive not only of my studying but also of my professional and personal development goals. Assignment and organisation of my day-to-day tasks or involvement with projects are open discussions, and always in light of my studying commitments. My employer is supportive of my taking study leave and planning around my online classroom or workshops wherever possible.

With regards to learning, Babbington provides 2-4 3hr online classrooms and 2 bootcamps or workshops per module. A shared tutor inbox is available for queries and 121 online sessions can be arranged in advance where schedules allow. The online platform provides some notes and videos, but is primarily used to log OTJs and general progress. There are 6-weekly reviews with an assigned skills coach, as well as extra support through an affiliated buddy scheme and notification of wider apprenticeship events.

I think my qualification will help to underpin my role in the future as it creates a strong financial and accounting foundation, and also will lead to a professionally accredited qualification. This will not only open doors to more opportunities, but enable me to better add value to my organisation.

The Partnership has a strong democractic function, allowing partners to engage at different levels in the organisation and operation of the company in line with the constitution. There are various social groups located nationally, from art to go kart racing, and different groups also arrange professional guest speakers to share knowledge and network. There is a strong emphasis and encouragement to be involved with and engage with extra-curricular activities, which can be quite daunting, depending on previous personal experiences.

Yes

The company values centre around responsibility to oneself and towards one another, and a strong sense of compassion and ethical responsibility inform decisions. Consequently, as an employee I am treated with respect, as an individual with differences that are valued and celebrated, and whose personal interests and aspirations are of material importance. Whilst the holistic culture is very different to my previous employment experiences, there are definitely benefits and it has imparted a positive influence on my approach to many things in work and life.

Be yourself - be honest and open about yourself because the Partnership values individuals that can bring themselves and something different to the table. I would also advise applicants to think about their values around work culture - the Partnership gives a lot back to its Partners, but that is only possible because everyone contributes to support and uphold the structures and networks that allow these to continue. There was certainly a culture-shock when I first joined, but the support I have received has helped me benefit from the culture that I now help contribute towards.