Higher Apprentice - Finance Review
at BAE Systems
Degree Apprenticeship
Accounting
Barrow-in-Furness
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.6 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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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
Supporting a senior accountant with various tasks including reconciliations, maintaining LoL trackers, producing budgets, running MMR Processes, posting transfer journals and creating asset registers. I'm also involved with other stretch activities such as producing a finance newsletter or supporting open days.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I've enjoyed the programme so far. The business has done a good job of giving me experience in different roles and teams and I've felt supported through the early careers team. There could be more opportunities for cross functional integration as I feel I don't see much outside of finance.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I've developed new accounting skills and experience to complement the content I'm studying. I've also learnt good excel skills and other general IT skills such as using Outlook and our reporting tool SAP. I've also had good opportunity to develop my presentation and public speaking skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
It's very well structured. I'm given good time in each placement and know at what time I'll be moving onto the next. The studying for my qualification has been at a good pace and I will be able to structure it as suits me going forward.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive good support. The early careers team are always available if I need help or advice. My managers have so far been supportive and given me the opportunity to learn and have been happy to explain things and help if needed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
The support is okay. Most of the classes I've taken so far have been online and I find that difficult to follow well. I know that I can ask them for further help however due to it being online I feel a little bit detached.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
It definitely helps as I can see aspects of what I've studied in some of the work I do and so it helps explain why we do processes the way we do. I do still think that the experience from being in the role is a greater help to my improvement than the qualification though.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
There are good extra-curricular activities. I've attended multiple conferences which have been great for networking and within the finance team there are often social events organised. I think there are early careers socials however I've not attended and they could be advertised more.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BAE Systems to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The company gives excellent support and training to help you gain your qualification. The work we do is very interesting and important. For an apprenticeship I think they pay well and offer good career progression opportunities with the chance to work in different business units and different countries.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BAE Systems?
Ensure you have a good CV as its quite competitive. Ensure you are aware of the work that we do and be interested in it and it's importance. Also be confident in interactions with others as being open to learning is important to doing well.
