Finance Apprentice Review
at Sage (UK) Ltd
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Finance, Accounting
Newcastle upon Tyne
Review Submitted: July 2020
Overall Rating
3.6 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3/5
-
Overview of Role
3/5
-
Skills Development
3.4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
I worked in R2R and O2C. I feel R2R was a hard department to work in because of the nature of the work, great team and I still learnt a lot I just think its more of a graduate position. I liked working in O2C and I learnt a lot and I really liked my team but it can be repetitive, I would of liked the chance to work in the other teams in O2C as well but I'm not sure if there was the time and capacity
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
Its a hard job and near month end it can be a lot of pressure... you can be working later and get prepared for no days off at month end.
I enjoyed working but I haven't enjoyed doing the level 3 AAT, its been extremely difficult and it has put me off doing level 4.
Sage are a great company and its a good stepping stone for your career in the future.
I enjoyed working but I haven't enjoyed doing the level 3 AAT, its been extremely difficult and it has put me off doing level 4.
Sage are a great company and its a good stepping stone for your career in the future.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have learnt new skills, but I am unsure if I feel ready to go to a different company and work in finance. I think if I went on to level 4 and stayed longer at sage I would feel more confident.
I wish we were able to have the chance to be trained in the sage products (line500 etc) as this is what most other companies will use and I think they would expect us to know that since we worked there.
I wish we were able to have the chance to be trained in the sage products (line500 etc) as this is what most other companies will use and I think they would expect us to know that since we worked there.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
At the start it wasn't very structured at all but it hasn't ruined my experience and I feel as if it was learning curve for them as its changed since I started and I can tell it is a lot more organised now and a structure has now been put in place. I wish when we started we had the chance to pick what department we wanted to be in or what we were interested in
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
We go to college for a full day and we also get the chance to study during work sometimes as long as your work for the day is complete. we had one to one's every couple of months were we can discuss my work and if I have any problems.
I think sometimes since finance is such a busy environment and everyone's managers are always busy, it could sometimes be hard to catch them.
I think sometimes since finance is such a busy environment and everyone's managers are always busy, it could sometimes be hard to catch them.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
You go to college once a week and this is the only time you will see your tutor.
Trying to get in touch with your tutor can sometimes be hard and if you need help with something it could be too late and you are already back in class the next day.
Its a good job we are a small close class so we can sometimes ask each other and we are all happy to help each other.
Trying to get in touch with your tutor can sometimes be hard and if you need help with something it could be too late and you are already back in class the next day.
Its a good job we are a small close class so we can sometimes ask each other and we are all happy to help each other.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
I feel like the terminology has helped a bit but that is it really. The qualification doesn't teach you how to process invoices or chase debt? I feel that a different qualification depending on what department you are would be more helpful, like a debt management and credit control qualification?
I think this is why I wasn't enjoying the AAT as not much of it was not relevant to my job so it made doing it not fun
I think this is why I wasn't enjoying the AAT as not much of it was not relevant to my job so it made doing it not fun
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
We get 5 sage foundation days a year to go volunteer for a charity, its so fun and you meet more people around sage,other companies as well as helping out an amazing charity! You can get involved with the cat and dog shelters, total warrior or even money collect at a music festival!
You can get involved with pride@sage, become a sage foundation ambassador, healthy mind coach or become part of collegues@sage.
We have christmas parties every year, at year end we have social event, and last year we had the chance to go to bongos bingo
You can get involved with pride@sage, become a sage foundation ambassador, healthy mind coach or become part of collegues@sage.
We have christmas parties every year, at year end we have social event, and last year we had the chance to go to bongos bingo
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Sage (UK) Ltd to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Just because this apprenticeship wasn't for me sage is a great place to work and they care about there employees a lot especially through COVID.
Its a great stepping stone in to a great career and the apprentices age from 16-40+ so anyone can join sage as an apprentices. Their is so much you can get involved with the foundation days to the summer fair.
Everyone is always happy to help and I think its a nice environment to work in.
Its a great stepping stone in to a great career and the apprentices age from 16-40+ so anyone can join sage as an apprentices. Their is so much you can get involved with the foundation days to the summer fair.
Everyone is always happy to help and I think its a nice environment to work in.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Sage (UK) Ltd?
Its so important to research sage, talk about our vision and values in your interview and why they mean something to you and why do you want to be apart of it. Why do you want join sage?
Always ask questions, and always ask for help if you need it - remember everyone has to start somewhere. Be prepared for the interview as it will make you a lot less nervous and you will come out of the interview confident.
Always ask questions, and always ask for help if you need it - remember everyone has to start somewhere. Be prepared for the interview as it will make you a lot less nervous and you will come out of the interview confident.
