Senior Finance Analyst Review
at John Lewis Partnership
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Finance
Bracknell
Review Submitted: May 2023
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
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.6/5
-
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
Providing support to the marketing team related to budget analysis and incremental sales performance related to this budgeted spend. Any overspends are reviewed and we provide information to the customer director to help him make decisions around what to spend and what on. Liaise regular with budget owners and build relationships with them too on budget related issues.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
In general, I enjoy the programme, but it is challenging to manage it alongside a full time job, and the 3 hour revision and content sessions I find hard to focus on and repetitive. It's nothing against the tutors and skills coaches who I have on the whole had good experiences with, but the sessions can be very slow at times and not relevant to learners who are at different stages of their own revision.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I came into the role with no accounting background, so I have learnt a lot so far even after having only done one exam. Starting with BA3 gave me insight into the world of credits and debits, and how they are used as the basis of financial statements, which I'm now able to read too.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Good organisation in general, regular reviews with Jane, my tutor, which are well run and useful for me as a check in. Jane is understanding and puts a plan together which works for me around my job, which is very much appreciated. As said above, let down by the sessions somewhat, but appreciate its not easy to deliver content such as this to so many learners.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Support offered solely by line manager as I sit outside the general apprentices who are just starting out in work. I like this as I have a good relationship with my line manager, and we have regular to but not needlessly regular conversations about my progress in the apprenticeship. Very good support.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Loads of support offered from Babington, and lots of flexibility given I am doing at alongside a senior role in a finance business of a huge company. Training sessions recorded to watch back if you missed them, and regular review meetings with tutor. The hub provides a space to track your progress, which is useful.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I would say its useful but not essential. I've been building gradual knowledge of Waitrose specific finance through my role, and CIMA is helping me broaden that knowledge into more general finance and accounting. This would help me in future, moving into a new role, as I would have the base knowledge to transfer.
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
There are a number of different Partnership clubs to join, we'll be doing a 5 a side tournament next month, we do regular team days and broader whole finance days where we connect and network as a team. We also have a chat amongst the JLP apprentices to discuss learning.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend John Lewis Partnership to a friend?
Yes
Why?
John Lewis Partnership is unique in the sense that its a partnership and everyone owns a portion of it. And that comes with lots of unique benefits. However, what makes the Partnership unique is the people, and having worked at a number of companies, the Partnership people are the nicest, most supportive, polite and well-mannered people you'll meet.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to John Lewis Partnership?
Be prepared to fully immerse yourself in the Partnership and really get behind what it represents and stands for. Only then can you fully appreciate what it means to be a Partner. Don't join expecting it to be like any other corporation as it is definitely not that at all.
