Finance Apprentice Review

During my apprenticeship I rotated around the finance department. I started in research and development where the biggest part of my role involved reconciling the studies income and the general ledger. I am now currently working with the accounts payable team where my role is to input invoices from the mailbox and then register them onto the finance system ready for the hospital to pay them.

Throughout my apprenticeship I have gained many skills, these included working within a team and basic financial knowledge. The financial knowledge wasn't just skills required for my role in the finance team but also shadowing other members of staff and understanding what their role was and how important they were.

I thoroughly enjoy the programme. I enjoy working for the NHS and I enjoy learning about accounting within the hospital. I find it rewarding working for such a vital company within the public sector, that is one of the biggest successes for the country I live in and work for.

The programme is fairly organised. The only problem I had wasn't with the company I work for but the course provider, that I study my course with. There isn't much contact from the provider and although my current line manager tried to help sometimes they were unfortunately unsuccessful.

As per my previous statement my training provider were not very helpful in proving information but my employer and my colleagues gave their upmost effort to ensure I felt valued and help whenever and wherever possible. I could not fault them for their efforts to help me through my course and exams.

Not a lot. I currently am studying my level 3 AAT with an online training provider. With it being a distance learning type of course there isn't much one on one help. I and when I have question I have to put it in a forum and would have to wait at least 3 working days to receive a response.

I have found whilst working in the finance department I have found that as I have gone along with my studies that my current role has become easier as I can apply the knowledge gained from my qualification. I have found it easier when revising my qualification materials from the knowledge I have gained on the job too.

Yes there are social activities, there have been a few park meet-ups. But due to COVID-19 there have been a lot of cancellations and restrictions for anything face to face. There have been social meet ups via MS Teams to ensure the finance team still have the office like contact.

Yes

Where I work in particular the finance team are very team focused and there is help for any problem you have. Everyone is approachable even the senior management team. There are plenty of opportunities for progression too, this includes training programmes and promotions, the other members of staff encourages it too.

if you are wanting to go down the accounting route then the NHS is for you. There is a wide range of different accounting structures, including management accounts, financial services and research and you are able to experience them all. This gives you a wide range of experience while completing your apprenticeship.