Senior Accountant Review
at Affinia
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Chelmsford
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.3 /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
4/5
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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
Preparation of statutory financial documents related to the filing of annual accounts for companies and partnerships at Companies House. Performing statutory audits for companies. Bookkeeping and VAT preparation. Performing CASS audits.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
Programme was well structured with a good progression from the beginning stages through to more complex and advisory work towards the end. Support was offered throughout and staff members were keen to help me develop.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Learnt a significant amount of skills relating to the preparation of accounts, mainly in line with FRS102/1a compliance, and adherence to Audit and CASS audit regulations. Learnt significant Excel skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Programme was well organised in carrying me through learning the basics at the beginning and offering support in order to achieve this, with a slow increase in complexity as my skillset developed.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Employer was very supportive in facilitating learning and progression and was similarly supportive with regards to external life circumstances.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My training provider was amazing and I would recommend them to anyone looking to complete an ACA qualification.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I could not do my role without the knowledge and skill gained from my qualification beyond an intermediate stage of skill. The qualification has helped me push on to doing complex work and facilitated a level of understanding which I could use to add value to my employer and the clients.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
Social activities used to be relatively frequent towards the start of my apprenticeship but this has significantly decreased in recent years in spite of a push from our social team to ensure staff could engage socially, even beyond work hours. Employer doesn't seem keen to address these issues.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Affinia to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The firm is growing and therefore opportunities for learning and career progression are huge. This is a stressful role but the stress can be rewarding and certainly helps you improve. My colleagues are very supportive and we have a close and tight-knit network where anyone can expect to receive help if it is needed.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Affinia?
Make sure you research this career path as it is not for everyone. Saying that, if you are here to learn and want to do well and push yourself, while gaining significant experience and being supported in getting through your qualification, then this is a great place for you to do so.
