Finance and Accounting Apprentice Review

I am currently in a cost control placement (my third placement) and my day to day role consists of: Forecasting; Running general ledger reports; reconciliations of the accounts; providing financial support for the Project Managers. The activities I complete help to ensure the accounts for the projects I assist are accurate.

I have almost completed the AAT level 4 qualification and thus i have learnt a lot about finance and accounting through that. In addition to the qualification I have been able to develop good communication skills and have been able to liaise with stake holders effectively. That is the most useful, non-finance related skill, i have learnt.

The programme has given me a wide range of experience as i have been in three placements, all of which showed me a different outlook on DES finance and have given me a wide range of skills. I have enjoyed meeting new people and have found it very useful in developing me as a finance professional.

It is fairly well structured, although due to short staffing there has been some issues. Going forward these short comings will hopefully be ironed out and the staffing gaps filled so that the structure of the programme can improve. That being said, a lot of the day to day activities are set by the delivery managers in the teams which has always been well organised.

A good amount of support is given by the employer. The teams are always understanding when time is needed off and issues are often dealt with swiftly. There could be some extra work done in terms of proactively seeking to support rather than reactively but that is a typical issue across the country in my opinion.

They have been supportive, although i often feel i do not need it and thus haven’t required much.

I feel it helps me a lot. I have a good understand of finance and also ethics which allows me to perform effectively in my placements.

Yes, i have been to team building events, played sports activities and been involved in networking events. These were more prevalent before covid.

Yes

It gives you a wide range of knowledge of different areas of finance and there are also many other benefits.

Be yourself.