Product Costing Accountant Review

After finishing my apprenticeship, I successfully gained a job as a Product Costing Accountant. My day-to-day role involves costing any new materials from all Tata Steel sites, checking failed invoice errors and reviewing sales orders. During month end I am involved in a reconciliation of the result by making sure the differences between all reporting areas are minimal and any differences are understood.

The main skill I have developed while being at Tata is my IT skills, in particular Excel. We use this application on a daily basis as all our files revolve around Excel. I am now able to do complex formulas and pivot tables, which I would not be able to do if I hadn't been at Tata. Other IT skills also include SAP.

I have now come to the end of my 3 year apprenticeship, however I thoroughly enjoyed during the three years. This was partly because as an apprentice at Tata, we rotate around various different departments during the years. I had the opportunity to experience many departments, which was helpful at the end of my apprenticeship as I knew what areas I enjoyed and wanted to see more of. I also enjoyed studying AAT at Neath College, I found that it gave a sound insight to accounting as I previously had no background prior to my apprenticeship.

I found that my apprenticeship programme was well structured as we had an insight to a wide range of departments. However, the only thing that could have been improved is the communication of which department we would be rotating into next, as in some cases we would find out a week before we would be moving.

I'd say the support we receive is good. If we have any issues we are able to go and speak with our employer, and they also offer to help us with any exams we have issues with. We also have mid year reviews where we are able to highlight and talk about any issues.

While I was studying AAT with Neath College, we would have day release from work to go to college once a week. They had emails available where we were able to contact them with any issues if we would want it resolved before the next week in college. Tutors were always competent in responding to these messages.

I feel as if AAT has given me a great grounding to my role. I have now decided to further progress in my career by studying another qualification and AAT has enabled me to have exemptions from certain exams. I feel as if it is hard to relate my AAT studies to my role in work as AAT was based on small businesses and being in Tata everything is very different due to the size of the organisation. However, it has still equipped me with the basic knowledge.

A team of people in work organise yearly sporting activities to raise money, this includes rounders, football and golf. I get involved in the rounders game every year. We also do something called the Global Challenge where we join teams to try and achieve the most steps in a time period. I believe there could be more extra-curricular activities occurring.

Yes

Overall I think Tata is a great organisation to work for. You feel a part of a community and employees are very helpful. Their apprenticeships and Graduate schemes are one of the best so I would advised anyone who is interested to apply for these, and not just in finance.

I would advise them to research the company before the interview as you will need a good background on this. Mainly be yourself because interviewers can see through anyone. Also, try and relate every questions they give you to past experience. The questions are mainly competence based, so say HOW you have done this.