Accounts Assistant Review

One of my jobs at First Response is to manage the dealer debt portfolio and reconcile the bank account that our dealers pay in to. I also complete other tasks based around maintaining customer's agreements and ensuring the company has enough money in the bank to pay out to dealers and suppliers in the day.

Since joining the apprenticeship scheme I have developed my skills and knowledge around Microsoft Office programs. I have also strengthened my project management skills through leading and managing the company's Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme. These are all strengthened on a day to day basis meaning they will continue to benefit me in the future.

I thoroughly enjoyed my apprenticeship programme throughout. It definitely presented some problems to me, not only from the course itself but from the unavoidable life changer that was the COVID pandemic. It meant the course was predominantly from home rather than in person, which was not beneficial to me, but overall it was great.

The programme overall was very well structured in terms of the dates and times we needed to attend work and university. This was mapped out to us from the outset which meant we always knew when we'd be needed, and this didn't change at all throughout the course.

I did receive a lot of support from First Response Finance Ltd. I had an early careers mentor, who was a previous apprentice, so they had first hand experience in this. Despite it not being the same course, they had experience in this kind of work/life balance which was very useful.

I received good support from Sheffield Hallam and their mentors throughout the scheme. I also benefitted from the wide range of international students and lecturers on the course who provided vast knowledge and experience on to me and the other students. The mentors also helped us throughout the pandemic with extra assistance.

I feel as though my qualification has helped me humongously in my role. It has provided me with a wide range of knowledge and skills that i have been able to bring back to my daily role at First Response, i feel more knowledgeable and more confident in my work having done the degree.

First Response Finance Ltd offers it's staff £32.50 per person per quarter for a team building event that allows teams to go out and strengthen their relationships. The aim is that strengthening relationships outside of work will result in a better relationship in work, which in turn will result in better customer outcomes.

Yes

I would recommend First Response Finance Ltd to a friend because it is a company that cares about it's employees, and rewards hard work and dedication. It is a solid company to work for which is proven by the number of awards the company has won relating to staff satisfaction.

I'd advise them to be as honest as possible in the application process as First Response is not a company that appreciates people who dominate the room or act overly confident as they think that is what is necessary. It values people who act themselves and who listen and respond well to feedback.