RateMyPlacement and RateMyApprenticeship are now Higherin: Learn More

Higherin
First Response Finance Limited

Audit and Compliance Apprentice Review

at First Response Finance Limited

Degree Apprenticeship

Finance, Business Operations

Nottingham

Review Submitted: January 2022

Overall Rating

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!

5/5 - Overview of Role
5/5 - Skills Development
5/5 - Structure and Support

Overview of Role

Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
Working as independent 3rd line assurance to ensure that the business meets and exceeds the appropriate compliance and regulatory standards. This involves focused reviews into different areas of the business to ascertain standards. Results are recorded and reports are written to document the findings, with feedback fed into the business where necessary.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoy my programme a lot. I think that the underlying structure of a degree apprenticeship is a hard, if not good one but we are given the best tools to tackle it. We are introduced to the organisational culture which is focused around continual learning, and this matches the ethos of the apprenticeship. I enjoy how everything 'fits' within the company.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have gained an Honours Degree in Business Management
Learnt professional communication skills to hold meetings and carry out presentations
Improved my ability to critically think and look at independent, fact based evidence
Developed my report writing skills to deliver information that is detailed and appropriately geared towards the reader

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
Very well structured. From the first 4 weeks of induction to understand the company and our team, right the way through to Apprenticeship days and regular mentor catch-ups, to sharing knowledge amongst other apprentices, to support with the EPA. There is a specific Learning and Support team that focus on making our experience as smooth as possible. This team communicates with my line manager regularly to ensure good communication.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
The support from First Response allowed me to focus my learning to extract most from the experience. This was achieved through being given time and understanding, as well as being trusted with opportunities to further my learning in order to practically apply my studies. I have had academic help, and the company takes an interest in my general well-being, all of which contributes towards my general apprenticeship experience being the best that it can be.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
We have a mentor who we use to discuss all apprenticeship matters away from the day job. As this person has completed a degree themselves, they are well placed to offer academic advice, and if it was from them who I learnt how to write to a 'degree level' when I first began. The input from my mentor had a direct impact on my finishing grade.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The qualification has allowed me to think more deeply about our business and forced me to think critically about how we can improve, and why we do what we do with our customers. It has opened my eyes to different ways or working amongst different industries, and taught me the importance of customer focus and continuous improvement in order to succeed.
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
Each team is given £25 per head, per quarter to spend on a team building activity, so naturally this has allowed me to get to know my colleagues on a more personal level, as well as providing me with activities that I would not ordinarily do. I am also given the chance to take part in industry CPD free of charge, and there are regular company updates and wellbeing days to share and grow our organisational culture.

Recommendations & Advice

Would you recommend First Response Finance Limited to a friend?
Yes
Why?
This is a company that cares about its people because it recognises that the company is worthless without it. I believe that the majority of people here care about the customer getting the best and most efficient outcome for the customer. This reaps natural financial rewards which means that this is a secure and attractive place to work, with many benefits.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to First Response Finance Limited?
Be yourself and don't be scared. This is not a corporate company and has no desires to be. It cares more about its people, their attitude, and their learning over grades or previous experience. Think of all the times that you have experienced good, fair, quality service, and how that may have come about - this is what First Response is constantly striving to achieve.
In This Review
Join Now

Join the Higherin Community

Save Time

Easily add jobs from Higherin or external platforms to keep everything organised.

Personalised Alerts

Get tailored job recommendations and updates straight to your inbox.

Exclusive Features

Access tools like application tracking, deadline reminders, and saved searches.

Stay Ahead

Be the first to know about the latest opportunities and deadlines.

Completely Free

Create an account and unlock powerful features at no cost.