Accounts Assistant Review

Item: Accounts Assistant at First Response Finance Limited
Rating: 4.3
Author: Anonymous

at First Response Finance Limited

Degree Apprenticeship

Finance

Nottingham

Review Submitted: February 2021

Overall Rating

4.3 /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!

4.5/5 - Overview of Role

5/5 - Skills Development

3.6/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

4/5

My role in the Accounts department is to keep the customer's accounts up to date by applying payments, refunds, or settlements as well as reconciling bank statements and reports to ensure smooth running of the business. I also proactively manage different projects in the team to allow us to keep up with the business' everchanging demands.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

5/5

I enjoy my programme very much. I have been exposed to an extremely wide range of tasks and people that are not available to a lot of other apprentices that I know of at different companies. I am supported with my university studies as well as my development within the workplace to allow me to thrive as much as I can.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

5/5

The main skills I have developed during my apprenticeship have been communication and project management. Running inter-departmental projects has meant I have needed to work with a wide range of people I wouldn't usually interact with. More specifically, I learnt to manage risk registers, increase/decrease bank loans via online transfers, and reconcile bank statements to name a few.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

4/5

The programme is very well structured. We visit university every other month, are are fully supported with set study days back at work. Everyone is aware of the pressures this puts on you and are always willing to help out. Timetables are clearly set by the university to allow you to plan months into the future and be a lot more organised with your own work.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

4/5

As previously mentioned, I receive a lot of support from my employer. They understand the course and are always willing to offer their knowledge in a certain area where necessary. The same applies for other departments that do not have apprentices, they will always give their time to ensure you are achieving the best possible grades.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

3/5

The teachers are university are always offering their support before, during and after a module. They will often check work for you whilst you are writing an assignment to offer direction where necessary, as well as offering detailed feedback afterwards. As there are a lot of students, responses aren't always fast, but this is to be expected.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

4/5

When at university I always feel I learn something that can be taken back to work and applied to the business. As we cover a wide range of subjects, and are in class with students from a variety of businesses, it is interesting to compare workplaces and how different theories and concepts can be applied. I can take knowledge from the module, as well as from other business' back to my workplace to develop myself.

Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

3/5

There are many social activities to get involved in at work. A quarterly team building budget allows for social interaction with your team outside of the working day, for example a meal out, or an escape room to increase team morale. There is also a football team which gets together weekly, however this has obviously been put on hold due to the pandemic.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend First Response Finance Limited to a friend?

Yes

Why?

First Response focusses massively on self-development as well as providing a lot of support for your university studies. They actually do care about their employees as well, as shown by not participating in the furlough scheme to ensure financial stability for all members of staff.

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to First Response Finance Limited?

I would advise people applying here to show an interest in self-development, as well as being able to work well in a team. Showing both of these skills will ensure you achieve your maximum potential at First Response Finance.

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