Finance Analyst Review

Item: Finance Analyst at Direct Line
Rating: 3.8
Author: Anonymous

at Direct Line

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Finance

Bromley Common

Review Submitted: May 2021

Overall Rating

3.8 /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!

3.5/5 - Overview of Role

4/5 - 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:

4/5

I work on an internal project within the cost management section of the project management office. My main remit is to monitor and manage costs across the project. This is quite wide ranging and involves, cost tracking, forecasting, purchase order management, invoice management and resource management via an internal time sheeting tool.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

3/5

I find the content of the apprenticeship programme interesting and highly linked to what I am doing. I have enjoyed learning things from study that have helped me understand real work situations - for example the budgeting chapters. I feel as though it is helping me develop my core knowledge base and will continue to do so. Having said that, it can be difficult at times trying to work and study at the same time, which can feel pretty draining

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

4/5

Definitely. As the role has grown, so has my responsibility, which has allowed me to develop my skillset. For example, I began to take more of a leading role with stakeholders on the project, which has developed my internal network, stakeholder management and communication skills. There has also been a development of analytical skills and a better understanding of the wider picture

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

3/5

There is a clear outline of the plan through the training provider that outlines what exams should be completed and by when. This helps to give an idea of timelines and the best order to tackle the different books. If you want to work on different timelines it does mean you miss key study support events like boot camps, but when this has been the case for me the training provider provided the resources used in these sessions for me to use for my own preparation which has been good.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

3/5

Currently, when workload permits, I get some allocated time on Friday afternoons to do some study/apprenticeship related work, which has been helpful to keep on top of my apprenticeship work. I am also trusted to manage my time if I want to attend a Webinar or something similar. Generally speaking though, off the job hours requirements are difficult to hit with work commitments

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

4/5

The training provider has kick off sessions for the start of different sections of the apprenticeship, which is useful for Q&A. Personal conversations with the tutors have been really helpful too, when asking advice on things. The resources provided for revision and practice ahead of exams has been good too

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

4/5

I have definitely improved my core knowledge base and feel as though I am laying good foundations for the future. Information learned in the textbooks has been transferable to real work situations and has helped me to understand some of these easier. It has helped me to explain concepts and why things are done to more junior colleagues or new starters, when required.

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 social activities, though not specifically related to the apprenticeship or those on a similar one. The finance department occasionally does "Lunch & Learns" that are good to understand some of the wider function and there are activities relating to social mobility, mental health etc. Used to be football run by an internal colleague but this stopped with lockdown and working from home

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend Direct Line to a friend?

Yes

Why?

I generally feel as though the company cares for its employees and tries to do the right thing for both employees and customers. Although it's quite a demanding working period currently, due to lots of change, the company is embracing the change needed to keep the maintain success and improve working conditions in the long run (e.g. systems, patterns)

What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Direct Line?

Make sure you read up on the company and the values. Not only will this help with interviewing, if you apply, but it will give you a feel for the company and whether it is for you. They generally live by the values they have set and it appealed to me before applying as a good place to work.

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