financial analyst Review

My role is in operations in the regulatory transaction reporting team. I take a sample of trades reported and determine whether they have been reported in a timeliness, accurate and complete manner. This testing takes up majority of my time as there are various regulations and jurisdictions. I get to interact a lot with my team and those around me as I have to investigate any issues that occur with the relevant teams. This entails a lot of responsibility as I am giving the same roles as everyone else in the team irregardless of being an apprentice straight from sixth form.

i have been able develop my confidence skills as i am able to talk to those who are much more senior than me and reach out to people to gain a better understanding of what is around me. I have also become more analytical and organised as my job role entails this. I am also alwyas developing these skills but my IT skills have been developed the most and my knowledge of the banking world.

I do enjoy my programme a lot as I have been given the opportunity to work and study. I have also met some amazing people in and outside my cohort. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I am also given the opportunity to learn alot more skills and knowledge and people value you because you are so young and have come fresh out of school.

The programme is organised to a certain extent as I know what the current programme entails but in regards to the future there has not been clarity on what the future in the bank holds and what we will be offered next. Also before the programme started there was not much communication which left some of us in the dark for some time but hopefully this will now improve.

I have received the relevant support from my manager as I have 1:1s weekly as per the apprenticeship guidelines. I have also been given a buddy from the above apprenticeship cohort who i don't speak to very much but in time made friends with people who I talk to more often. I have been given guidance with problems but I feel like there should be something more enhanced for apprentices rather than it being extremely generalised. I also understand that some people in my cohort have been given mentors but unfortunately I have not.

I think Fitch learning are really good in providing the resources and setting us deadlines to get on with the work. We have catch ups with our providers just before our exam and after which i feel like is good because i can openly express any concerns with them. They are also extremely helpful with the content as they answer questions quite fast. I feel like there was a lot of content to learn but you soon realise not all of it is relevant for the exam. I do enjoy learning it as we have sessions where we, as a cohort, get together and go through content and its nice to work with everyone again.

As my role is extremely niche i don't use a lot of my apprenticeship training as it has given me a more broader understanding of the banking/finance world. I have used my understanding with the various product types as I am able to understand what product types are reported and this is more relevant to my role. We therefore use the knowledge most relevant to our roles. I definitely know more about the industry and my role after completing the qualification.

UBS are quite big on extra-curricular activities so in the situation of Covid-19 we have had fortnightly pub quizzes to take our minds off the current situation. We have also had the opportunity to take part in the winter ball, networking events, volunteering.

Yes

I would recommend UBS to someone as I feel like they have an extremely integrated community and is a very diverse firm. Also the work life balance is enjoyable and I feel like it is great place to start your career. The apprenticeship programme is also becoming better structured as I know it has only been running for two years.

When applying to UBS they took some time to respond to emails even when I had been accepted for the job but this was normal for all the cohort so you shouldn't stress if this happens to you. Also the interviewers were so lovely they want to see you succeed so do your research and be truthful, also don't be afraid to ask any questions. I just want to say to apply even if you don't think you can get in because of how competitive it is, but do not hesitate and give it your best shot if that is what you want. I would have like to be told that apprenticeships aren't easy and that you have to adapt a lot to the new environment but with the right support it is possible so make the most out of this experience.