Business services Associate Review
at PKF Smith Cooper
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Accounting
Ashbourne
Review Submitted: April 2025
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
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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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:
5/5
My role includes preparing sets of accounts, I do this using different accounting systems or just paperwork from clients, and I use this information to create a set of working papers and post this onto CCH. My work is then reviewed by a senior. I also prepare quarterly VAT returns for some of our clients, this is either on Xero or on spreadsheets.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy my programme a lot, the office I work in is very supportive with my exams and helping with all the new learning within my office.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt a lot of new skills including my professional skills within a workplace, .my skills on excel and my communication skills when talking to clients
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
I would say when first starting my apprenticeship there could be more structure as I was just set to work straight away with not knowing a lot, so maybe having a specific mentor or buddy that I knew I could go to would have been helpful.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive a lot of support when it comes to my exams or if I am struggling with something in the office, my manager always makes sure what I am learning in college I am doing in the office as well so i understand it better.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I receive a lot of support at college, they make sure we are thoroughly prepared for each exam and are happy to help if I have any issues or worries.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
My level three was really useful for everything that I do within the office, it gave me the background knowledge to all of the jobs that I was completing.
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
Yes we always have social events both within our office and within the whole firm. There are also lots of different committees we can join within the firm.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PKF Smith Cooper to a friend?
Yes
Why?
My company supports me while I am studying for my exams and pushes me to do well, they are very supportive and inclusive firm.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PKF Smith Cooper?
Maybe try to do work experience within PKF beforehand or in another accountancy firm so that you can show your experience and that it is something you are definitely interested in.
