Finance Analyst - Controls and SOx Compliance Review
at Vodafone
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Newbury, Berkshire
Review Submitted: March 2021
Overall Rating
4.5 /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
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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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
I am working within the SOx and Compliance team and test business process internal controls within Vodafone. On my day to day job, I interact with our external auditors and provide evidence to support our and their testing of internal controls.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy the rotations very much (We do one year in Commercial, one year in Financial Operations and one year in a Specialist role). Furthermore, I appreciate the knowledge I am getting out of the apprenticeship program and the CIMA qualification I am studying for
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes. I have expanded my accounting skills (as every control is based on an Accounting Standard). I have also developed further my leadership skills, problem solving skills and critical thinking.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
It is based on the length of the CIMA studies (3 years). It is based on Skills Days as part of our apprenticeship program, lectures day, Off the Job Timesheet and Development Task. We normally get assigned to the new role 2/3 weeks before starting the actual role.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive financial support with regards to my CIMA qualification and support from First Intuition during the duration of my Apprenticeship scheme. Internally, HR and our Graduate Program POCs supports everyone even virtually when needed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I receive lectures notes, additional material, supports with regards to questions for the exams and corrections of tasks/questions with improvement comments.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I have always found myself with very good tutors when it comes to the CIMA qualification. Everyone is always available to reply to queries and to help you with your exams and all the additional support you need.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Yes. We have Grads Committees, Charity Committees and then, on a team basis, we organize social hangouts/sport challenges/team building events.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Vodafone to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Even if Vodafone is a very complex company as there are so many different functions, everyone is always so helpful whenever you need some extra help. Also, the Graduate Scheme (for Finance at least) is very interesting as it gives you the opportunity to explore completely different positions during the 3 years.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Vodafone?
Don't be afraid to ask questions whenever you don't know the answer, as also the most senior people are happy to help you to grow and understand better what you are doing and just make sure to have an open-mind and be open to explore things that might not be totally related to your studies given that Vodafone is a big telecommunications company - there are a lot of IT opportunities to explore
