Internal Audit Apprentice Review
at St. James's Place
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Audit
Cirencester
Review Submitted: December 2024
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:
4/5
My day-to-day tasks may vary depending on what stage a current audit is at. Generally, my role involves attending meetings with various people to gather information on an audit, making notes in these meetings and generating a summary for the team to refer to. I will also populate draft reports and analyse spreadsheets when testing controls surrounding business processes.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
My programme has been fantastic! I have learnt so much not only about my role, but the business as a whole. There are plenty of opportunities to network and get to know your cohort and previous apprentices to seek advice from, and everyone from Early Careers, my team and my education provider have gone above and beyond to ensure I have the support I need.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
During my apprenticeship I have learnt the new skills required to be an auditor such as analysing documents and processing information. SJP also provide many opportunities to develop softer skills such as presenting, time management and refining my ability to use Microsoft processes like Word and Excel. These are provided by apprentice learning labs, online courses and/or workshops held by individuals in the company.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
My programme is very well organised. From November (after starting in September) I was put in contact with my education provider to enrol onto my apprentice course, from there I received a study planner so I could track when I was going to study each course, take my exams and when I would be at work. My line manager also created a development plan where I would meet with certain people to gain an understanding on different areas of the business. This plan also contain general information about the key websites and applications to use.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a huge amount of support from my employer. My team often check in to ask how my studies are going, offering any assistance they can provide and ensure that I am comfortable and can maintain my workload. SJP have a very open and welcoming environment, which makes asking questions and asking for help very easy.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My training provider, First Intuition, provide a great deal of support when working towards my qualifications. Each course I take has a different tutor who is available to answer any questions I have from the start of my course until my exam. I have a development coach that I check in with quarterly who is eager to hear about my development and progress. They also have the option for extra Maths and English help if you are uncertain or would like more clarity on a topic.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I am studying for a Level 7 Professional Accountancy qualification and feel as though it helps me perform better in my role as an internal audit apprentice to a wide extent. Some of the courses I study will directly correlate with auditing as a whole and has the option to take Audit Assurance as part of the strategic professional level exams. The other topics I study provide a diverse background of information on accountancy as a whole, which is useful/necessary for performing audits on different business and financial areas of the company.
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
SJP offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities from 5-a-side football team to a book reading club. There are many different networks in SJP where people with similar interests and hobbies get together to share ideas and socialise.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend St. James's Place to a friend?
Yes
Why?
SJP is a great company to work for. Everyone I have met is so friendly and welcoming and is more than happy to help or support each other, which I think is very important when starting out in your career.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to St. James's Place?
I would suggest researching the job role as much as you can and come prepared with a couple of questions you might want to ask.
