Corporate Assisstant Review

I am a corporate assistant, so I do jobs like processing for payment runs, bank reconciliations, reviewing and approving expenses, preparing reports like VAT returns etc. I am responsible for certain tasks like these for my portfolio of clients. I email clients daily if I have any queries and they get in contact with me as well.

I have developed my general IT skills a lot further, for example when using software like excel regularly, I have picked up a lot. Also I have learnt things like how VAT works and how it should be recorded through regular training sessions. Also by going to college I have studied to help with management accounting, decisions and control, along with financial statements.

I enjoy learning new things and being able to see myself progress when I am able to put what I have learnt into context or without needing the guidance of others when carrying out a task. Occasionally however the work can become fairly repetitive as each month you have to repeat the same tasks. The team I work in is very friendly and there is a great working atmosphere.

I do feel valued in my work as I am aware that if certain jobs I am responsible for aren't completed or completed up to standards and to meet tight deadlines, then that impacts on everyone within my team. Also the great working environment makes me feel like a part of the team

The training at college is well structured as I have set days where I am expected to go there, however these can sometimes coincide with busy times in the office. Training is much less structured at work and is fairly laid back, training only occurs where necessary to make me able to do my job.

I receive a lot of support from my training provider (BPP) through multiple emails notifying me about what work I should be completing outside of college and generally to see how I am finding my particular courses. Also at college there is always a chance to raise any confusion you have with anything.

Whenever I have questions they are always answered. However when there are particularly busy times in the office there is not much time for questions to be in answered in so much detail, or time to be able to go through things which might cause delays in the future as they may end up being completed incorrectly.

My salary meets my costs appropriately as my living and travel costs are not high at the moment because my place of work is close to where I live. Compared to other apprenticeships I believe the salary I receive for my level of work/training is extremely competitive and I am very happy with it.

Yes. I constantly receive emails about certain groups I can join outside of work, they groups are mainly charitable, sports based or just social groups. There is always a chance to socialise with colleagues at the monthly work drinks. In this area there are many groups to join like gyms etc.

Yes

The working environment is very friendly and welcoming and the apprenticeship scheme can help start your career by training you through AAT onto ACCA. The work is sometimes challenging which helps you progress and learn and enables you to move onto harder tasks as you work there longer. Also there are always opportunities to socialise with your peers who are of a similar age and doing similar apprenticeships within the firm.

The interview was fairly informal and more just like a chat about what you aim to be and what you would like from working at Mazars. To start it might feel like the workload is fairly small and like you are not doing much, however this is just to ease you into the job and possibly because the workload is so high for others that they don't have the time to show you processes properly.