Finance Apprentice Review
at BAE Systems
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
4.6 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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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:
5/5
My daily tasks are to review the financials of the business including if they are on forecast or going under or over. I interact daily with the wider functional team including my line manager. The projects I work on are government based so should not be discussed outside of the workplace.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy my work, I have a good relationship with both my small project team and the wider finance team. We have a good relationship both inside and outside of work, regularly meeting out of office hours. The company culture has definitely helped especially when i first started as i was made to feel very welcome. It exceeds my expectations.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have development my qualifications by being put through CIMA which is externally taught by KAPLAN. I have also done multiple internal courses around excel usage, presentation skills and mental health awareness. As part of my further development I have participated in stretch assignments that involve presenting to a large number of people which has helped to improve my confidence.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The apprenticeship is very well structured, at the start of the programme i had a 2 week induction to introduce me into the business. We have 12 weekly reviews with our apprentice lead, monthly reviews with a mentor and monthly meetings with the rest of the finance apprentices. My study is very flexible as i am allowed to request which order i do the KAPLAN courses in the best way for me.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a huge amount of support, firstly i have my line manager and project team who i speak to daily, I then have the finance apprentices who are people going through the same thing as me so are really good to talk to and finally i have my apprentice lead and mentor who support me in all my studies and stretch activities.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I receive a lot of support from KAPLAN through the opportunity to email my tutor, the ask a tutor function online and the online chat panel which allows a response at any time. The website also has the ability to watch quick tutorials or re watch a lecture. I really enjoy learning through KAPLAN
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
What I'm learning definitely relates to my day to day role, looking at the variance between budget, actuals and forecast is something i do daily and it is a huge topic within the P1 course. This has been extremely helpful as the theory I am learning is being put into practice.
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
I get involved in the BAE National Apprentice council through my job via monthly meetings which allows me to interact with people who work for the company all across the globe, this is really interesting as it shows me how different business units work and the different products that they all make.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend BAE to a friend as the opportunities to develop and grow are endless at a company like this, you are constantly supported within your day to day life and pushed to achieve the best you can for yourself. It also allows you with the opportunity to meet people from all over the world.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
I would advise people to be themselves within the whole application process. They should research the company, what it does and its key values as that is most likely what they will ask questions on. Within they onboarding process i would advise people just make the most of the information your being told.
