Financial Analyst Review

I am a financial analyst and analyse weekly data to assess my current projects profitability and how it contributes to the overall performance of IBM. I report to a high level of management and have some client impact if they require more clarity of specific finance or commercial information

I have developed my technical skills throughout this role, I am proficient in VBA in Excel as well as my overall MS Project skills. I have taken on a professional development course of completing my chartered accountancy qualification with CIMA.

The work and team that I work in have an enabled me to have a very enjoyable experience. However, the company culture requires you to work 10 hours per day as standard otherwise your performance is rated low but with no additional reward for working the excess hours unless they are paid for by the client - ie 50 hours are worked but only 40 hours are billed

I feel very undervalued, there is still a culture of graduates are better professionally than apprentices because they have a degree despite them having no experience. There is limited recognition from my immediate team as well as the wider IBM and externally, but this is what I have come to understand as the culture of IBM.

The programme is structured well but there is very little communication circulated about what is required and when, it almost seems like a checklist rather than completing a programme with a community feel.

Very little support - I have submitted my apprenticeship qualification to be graded over a year ago and have very little response or lead times as to when I can get my result.

Support often takes a long time to get a hold of, with everyone seemingly very busy all of the time. There isn't much proactive support eg. discussions around your future career path

My salary is more than adequate to meet my daily costs, IBM is also an expenses driven organisation so a lot of my expenses during the week are covered.

A lot of opportunities are based in London or Hursley with very few in the North. There is the yearly corporate games that IBM participated in by playing team sports against other companies.

No

There is a poor culture which can leave you feeling very undervalued and overworked. The support offered is few and far between, especially, like many young people, you are unsure of your career path.

Make sure you use examples in the application process to evidence what you're claiming. The assessment centre aims to get everyone involved so don't sit in silence even if people in your group are very dominant, make sure you make some good suggestions in the activities