Apprentice Finance Assistant Review
at Savills
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Accounting
Manchester
Review Submitted: April 2023
Overall Rating
4.4 /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
4.4/5
-
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
The function of the role is to assist in the property data management, processing & control of finances of client monies held (on behalf of Investors) in order to manage a property portfolio. The Apprentice Finance Assistant is to work within the Central Finance function carrying out tasks for the team.
There are a number sub teams within Central Finance, as detailed below, and there will be opportunities to spend time in each, providing a wide variety of skills:
• Banking – Tenant receipts coding and processing, ssuspense management, banking queries, iinternal/external funds transfer, cash allocation queries.
• Credit Control - Chasing payment and manage unapplied cash, cash allocation amendments, query resolution, arrears reviews, ttenant account reconciliations.
• Accounts Payable – Reconciliations - Account investigation, audit review & approval of Payment to Client’s (PTC) and supplier payments, preferred supplier contractors’ reconciliations.
• Accounts Payable – The Query Hub -: Incoming communication into AP (Email, phone calls), account investigation none PSL suppliers, suspense & credit balances, all queries (rates, general, utilities).
• Accounts Payable – Processing Team - Incoming invoice and processing, rates processing through to business rates coders.
• Accounts Payable – Payments Team - All client payments via BACS, Cheque, CHAPS.
• Finance Support Team - Bank Reconciliations, workflow Instructions, client money movement and refunds
• Billing Team - Raise rent and service charge invoices, process utility / insurance / tenant recoverable recharges, assist with service charge budgets
There are a number sub teams within Central Finance, as detailed below, and there will be opportunities to spend time in each, providing a wide variety of skills:
• Banking – Tenant receipts coding and processing, ssuspense management, banking queries, iinternal/external funds transfer, cash allocation queries.
• Credit Control - Chasing payment and manage unapplied cash, cash allocation amendments, query resolution, arrears reviews, ttenant account reconciliations.
• Accounts Payable – Reconciliations - Account investigation, audit review & approval of Payment to Client’s (PTC) and supplier payments, preferred supplier contractors’ reconciliations.
• Accounts Payable – The Query Hub -: Incoming communication into AP (Email, phone calls), account investigation none PSL suppliers, suspense & credit balances, all queries (rates, general, utilities).
• Accounts Payable – Processing Team - Incoming invoice and processing, rates processing through to business rates coders.
• Accounts Payable – Payments Team - All client payments via BACS, Cheque, CHAPS.
• Finance Support Team - Bank Reconciliations, workflow Instructions, client money movement and refunds
• Billing Team - Raise rent and service charge invoices, process utility / insurance / tenant recoverable recharges, assist with service charge budgets
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I am currently really enjoying the work and learning balance I am receiving. I am a big fan of the online learning aspect of college and find the freedom it gives me liberating. courses are concise and they provide many practice questions to ensure the concepts they are teaching are fully understood. I also like the fact that I am going to all the different teams that I previously mentioned in my job description which I feel has provided a lot of information on the different aspects of the business and I can now see how the units I am learning in college impact the decisions made by each team.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt a wide range of skills, such as excel to formulating emails. liaising with people in Savills to providing information to suppliers on key queries they may have. processing supplier invoices.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
I feel as though programme is well structured .
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I have received continually and appropriately support through out my time at Savills and believe my employer/manager/s have gone above and beyond to assist me in all aspects of my apprentice so far and ensuring I am able to carry out my duties.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My trainer provider have helped me constantly adapting to the course and has aided me in matters that I believe go far beyond their expected duties. My interactions so far with lylah Scribbins have been excellent and I believe she has furthered my understanding immeasurably and made herself always available for any questions I may have had.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The training I've received so far in college has provided the back ground knowledge I've needed to understand why certain processing are carried out the way in which they are.
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
There are many activities I can choose to partake in, from the charity days in which we are given half a day holiday for every day we spend, the work football team to the Christmas parties and quiz teams.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Savills to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Savills have an excellent work environment that incentives hard work and commitment which I feel as though is appreciated and rewarded.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Savills?
I would say that, there is no substitute for working hard and if you were to work to the best of your ability I believe you will be given the chance to progress and advance.
