Finance Graduate Review
at GE Aerospace
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Finance
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.4 /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
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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
On my 1st of 3 rotations, my current rotation focuses on FP&A. Day -to-day that typically involves preparing monthly actuals analysis and quarterly financial forecasts for SG&A and order intake. This includes business partnering with different departments to ensure goal alignment. Also, variance analysis and strategic decision-making at a cost-centre level by monitoring KPIs.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Yes, definitely experienced a healthy amount of challenge that has encouraged personal growth. This role has given me good visibility of how decisions are made between functions. Great to have a front-row seat in the business. Flexible career mobility is good, FP&A seen as a 'stepping stone' to commercial or strategic roles. Although work/ study balance can be hard to balance and often spills into my free time.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Lots of software skills such as sophisticated Excel formulas, VBAs and macro coding used for data analysis of large datasets. Developed my strategic business partnering skills such as communication, collaboration and translating financial insights into business actions.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Rotational opportunity is fantastic in order to determine the trajectory of your career - not many roles offer the experience of working in FP&A, Engineering and Supply Chain. As mentioned work/ study balance is quite tricky and often spills into weekends. Working from home is a great perk.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Very supportive and healthy working environment that nurtures personal growth. Weekly 1-to-1s with my manager enable me to highlight issues and ask for advice. Everyone in the team gets involved in helping me if needed and fast/ prompt communication is a huge benefit.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Personal study is mostly an independent activity where pre-corded or live sessions are available to watch as well as written resources. Tutors available to help with certain areas when requested. Access to Rogo platform is useful for exam style questions. Timeline of study can be sometimes quite challenging in terms of deadlines compared to the allocated study time you get each week but achievable if you study some weekends.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Helps set a good foundation in team environments as it has improved my understanding of financial terminology and how functions work together to put together internal and external reports.
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, opportunities to get involves with various volunteering activities in the local community. Team building days happen throughout the year and often include off-site socials.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend GE Aerospace to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Flexible working, healthy working environment that nurtures personal growth. Finance roles give a front-row seat to the workings of the business and opportunities for career progression are abundant.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to GE Aerospace?
Expect to have to face a case study question in your interview. Research into GE Aerospace's holistic goals and how they align to your personal goals.
