Associate Client Advisor Review
at Forvis Mazars
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
London
Review Submitted: May 2023
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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3.2/5
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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:
4/5
I prepare monthly management accounts for clients as well as fulfil monthly bookkeeping services and provide accounting advice. In a more detailed sense, my work involved aged payables and aged receivables processing and reviews, bank reconciliations and journal posting of payroll costs, prepayments and accruals. I also contribute towards the preparation of quarterly VAT returns.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I do enjoy the work a lot, I like the challenge that accounting has generally, as there are often new issues/challenges that come up during the work that tests my knowledge of the client and accounting principles in general. There is also an element of critical evaluation of the processes we undertake in the team, with a goal of improving efficiency, which I enjoy a lot.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learned tons of new skills since starting the role. I have massively improved upon my excel and accounting skills, with technical knowledge and practical experience in both areas furthering my development in those skills. My general skills such as teamwork, time management and Microsoft office have all also improved a lot during my work.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
My programme seems well structured, progression in the firm is clearly linked with exam success and development through the apprenticeship, and the work gradually shifts away from the bookkeeping work I do currently towards more senior level work (involved in corporate reporting and client facing responsibilities). This is an exciting prospect and progression is clearly laid out.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I receive quite a bit of support from my employer on exams in particular, there is perhaps less mention on the difficulties of time management between studying and working full time, which I would like to see highlighted by more senior members of the firm - although this is not crucial either, I do feel adequately supported.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
We receive quite a lot of support from our training provider in the build up to exams, although I wish the support system began earlier than the current system (we normally are given support around 6 weeks before the exam start, I think if we got the resources/support a bit earlier it may improve exam results).
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
This can be quite hit or miss depending on which area of the course I am studying towards. I recently sat a Law exam which was not overly useful for the work I undertake, the accounting exams have been much more useful in further developing my skills at work in reality.
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
My office is the smaller office of the two we have in London, therefore in my office there are perhaps less opportunities for this than in the larger office by default. However, my firm does an excellent job at providing extra-curricular events and activities to take part in, including professional and social activities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Forvis Mazars to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Our firm culture is very relaxed, friendly and inclusive, we have higher pass rates in the exams because of this. Because apprentices have additional study on top of work, the firm culture is excellent in supporting us through the difficulties of exams and study and managing your time between both.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Forvis Mazars?
Be honest about your experiences you have had at previous roles/academic institutions, including negative experiences. Mazars is a firm focused on innovation and continuous improvement, we want to hear the problems in systems and see if we can rectify those in our own processes - showing an active engagement in this area of our culture may benefit you in the application stage!
