Finance Placement Review

Everyday tasks consist of investigating the manufacturing costs which allows us to track and manage spending in the plant and also the reporting and maintenance of department KPIs.
Generating and managing recharges is also an occurring task.
Another day-to-day task is the update and consolidation of the fixed asset register.
Also involved in supporting month end tasks which involves reporting with accruals, pre-payments, profit and loss and balance sheet management.
Also support internal control basic rules adherence.

I was given a lot of responsibility during month end when I was analysing costs and as a result I was generating and posting journals and accruals that had a direct impact on the company's profit and loss and balance sheet.
I was also given a lot of responsibility with the update and consolidation of the asset register which entailed physically tagging new assets and then activating them on the system which again has an impact on the profit and loss.

- I have learned many new skills. I have learned how to use applications more effectively such as excel and SAP which I can use in many different environments in the future.
- I have learned how to manage financial documents in a working environment.
- I have learned how to effectively take initiative and be confident to manage tasks individually
- I have developed my existing communication skills, through liaising with my team and other departments on the daily

I was not given any handbook from the previous student but there were some instructions from previous students before that I could use.
I had a team that were very willing to help me and show me tasks and explain things to me that I did not understand. I felt comfortable to go to the members in my team and tell them if I did not understand something and ask them to explain things to me.

The general atmosphere could be quite tense at times as the automotive industry is a very high-paced environment that needs to be adaptable to change. As covid was still prevalent at the start of my placement it was harder to integrate and feel a sense of community due to social distancing and masks.
Morale was boosted with events such as Forvia day where activities were arranged.
Students also take part in the charity challenge which brings a sense of culture as you work together to raise money for charity.

I did enjoy my placement as I enjoyed applying financial knowledge in a working environment. I have enjoyed working in a friendly environment as my team were very helpful. However, I did feel at times I did not have a lot of work to do which I did not enjoy as I felt at times I was not adding much value. But the work that I was involved in I felt was important and I did enjoy.

Yes