Head of Project Finance Review
at Last Mile
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Accounting, Business Operations
Stonehouse, Gloucestershire
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.9 /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!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.8/5
-
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
As the Head of Project Finance I've lead and manage the Project Finance team to ensure business needs and audit requirements are met and that best practice and governance is applied in all areas of both departments
Job Responsibilities
• Managing invoicing and the production of invoicing and meeting KPI’s as dictated by budget.
• Managing Credit notes
• Managing the Project Finance Mailbox and ensuring this is kept up-to-date and all tasks actioned efficiently and effectively.
• Overseeing and updating of the WIP Sheet and the monthly rollover of the WIP Sheet and ensuring it reconciles to Focal Point for every month end
• Overseeing PPV reporting
• Producing reports including diarised reports such as Construction Manager reports and ad-hoc reports
• Facilitating monthly Construction Manager review calls
• Stakeholder Management
• Dealing with Project queries
• New Project Setups, Project Closures and reviewing of committed costs
• Cost Transfers
• FM206 updates
• Reporting for month end
• Managing the training and upskilling of the Project Finance team
• Assisting with the development of new revenue recognition policy and the subsequent changes to how month end is processed
• Assisting the Director of Finance in identifying better processes and facilitating these
• Ensuring we are being proactive in assisting Construction Managers and Project Managers in identifying projects with potential overspends and updating our budget info in a timely manner to ensure we accurately reflect our revenue month on month.
Job Responsibilities
• Managing invoicing and the production of invoicing and meeting KPI’s as dictated by budget.
• Managing Credit notes
• Managing the Project Finance Mailbox and ensuring this is kept up-to-date and all tasks actioned efficiently and effectively.
• Overseeing and updating of the WIP Sheet and the monthly rollover of the WIP Sheet and ensuring it reconciles to Focal Point for every month end
• Overseeing PPV reporting
• Producing reports including diarised reports such as Construction Manager reports and ad-hoc reports
• Facilitating monthly Construction Manager review calls
• Stakeholder Management
• Dealing with Project queries
• New Project Setups, Project Closures and reviewing of committed costs
• Cost Transfers
• FM206 updates
• Reporting for month end
• Managing the training and upskilling of the Project Finance team
• Assisting with the development of new revenue recognition policy and the subsequent changes to how month end is processed
• Assisting the Director of Finance in identifying better processes and facilitating these
• Ensuring we are being proactive in assisting Construction Managers and Project Managers in identifying projects with potential overspends and updating our budget info in a timely manner to ensure we accurately reflect our revenue month on month.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I completed a Data Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship, which has strengthened my ability to lead on data-driven financial insight within project finance. This has enhanced my capability to structure and interrogate large datasets, improve data integrity, and streamline processes across budgets, cost centres, and CVRs. As a result, I am able to deliver more timely and accurate analysis, identify trends and risks earlier, and provide clearer, commercially focused insight to support operational decision-making. The programme has also increased my confidence in leveraging Excel and emerging tools to drive efficiency and continuous improvement across financial reporting.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Strengthened data ownership by moving beyond reporting to actively shaping and validating data, including challenging data quality and understanding end-to-end cost, revenue, and CVR flows
Improved ability to sense-check financial information quickly, increasing confidence in the accuracy and integrity of outputs
Enhanced Excel and data structuring capability, enabling more efficient handling of large datasets across cost centres, budgets, and actuals
Built more robust and scalable financial models, reducing reliance on manual processes and minimising risk
Increased efficiency in budget consolidation and variance analysis through better data organisation and automation approaches where possible
Developed stronger commercial insight by identifying trends, risks, and margin opportunities across projects and subcontractor activity
Strengthened decision support by providing data-led insights to operations and senior stakeholders rather than relying on instinct
Improved communication of financial data by translating complex analysis into clear, actionable insights with a strong “so what” focus
Increased confidence in using systems and emerging tools (including AI) to drive efficiency and continuous improvement
Adopted a more proactive, forward-looking approach to process optimisation and financial reporting
Improved ability to sense-check financial information quickly, increasing confidence in the accuracy and integrity of outputs
Enhanced Excel and data structuring capability, enabling more efficient handling of large datasets across cost centres, budgets, and actuals
Built more robust and scalable financial models, reducing reliance on manual processes and minimising risk
Increased efficiency in budget consolidation and variance analysis through better data organisation and automation approaches where possible
Developed stronger commercial insight by identifying trends, risks, and margin opportunities across projects and subcontractor activity
Strengthened decision support by providing data-led insights to operations and senior stakeholders rather than relying on instinct
Improved communication of financial data by translating complex analysis into clear, actionable insights with a strong “so what” focus
Increased confidence in using systems and emerging tools (including AI) to drive efficiency and continuous improvement
Adopted a more proactive, forward-looking approach to process optimisation and financial reporting
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme was well structured overall, with a clear framework that built progressively from core data fundamentals through to more applied, practical skills. The combination of learning modules and on-the-job application worked well, allowing me to embed new skills directly into my role within project finance.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive good overall support from my employer, particularly in terms of providing the opportunity to undertake the apprenticeship and apply the learning within my role. There is a clear level of trust and autonomy, which has allowed me to embed new skills into day-to-day responsibilities and drive improvements in how financial data is managed and analysed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I received consistent support from the training provider throughout the programme, with regular check-ins and guidance to ensure I stay on track with my qualification. The tutor support has been helpful in clarifying requirements, providing feedback on submissions, and supporting progress against milestones.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The qualification has had a positive impact on my ability to perform in my role, particularly by strengthening my data analysis and data management capability. It has enabled me to take a more structured and disciplined approach to handling financial data, improving both accuracy and efficiency across reporting, budgeting, and variance analysis.
The practical application of the learning has been key, allowing me to apply new skills directly to live project finance activities, including working with large datasets, improving data integrity, and generating more meaningful insight. This has enhanced my ability to support operational and senior stakeholders with clearer, more data-driven decision-making.
While some elements of the programme are more foundational, overall it has provided valuable tools and approaches that have contributed to improving performance and driving continuous improvement within my role.
The practical application of the learning has been key, allowing me to apply new skills directly to live project finance activities, including working with large datasets, improving data integrity, and generating more meaningful insight. This has enhanced my ability to support operational and senior stakeholders with clearer, more data-driven decision-making.
While some elements of the programme are more foundational, overall it has provided valuable tools and approaches that have contributed to improving performance and driving continuous improvement within my role.
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
I'm not sure
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Last Mile to a friend?
Yes
Why?
From my experience, there is a clear focus on investing in people, supporting apprenticeships, and allowing individuals to apply learning directly into real business situations. That creates a practical environment where development is not theoretical, but genuinely embedded in day-to-day work.
I would also recommend to work here because it offers the opportunity to operate in a fast-paced, commercially focused environment where data and finance play a key role in decision-making. In my experience within project finance, I’ve been able to add value by improving data quality, streamlining reporting, and providing clearer commercial insight, and this type of environment allows those skills to be fully utilised and further developed.
Overall, it feels like a place where you can continue to grow, take ownership, and make a tangible impact rather than just holding a role.
I would also recommend to work here because it offers the opportunity to operate in a fast-paced, commercially focused environment where data and finance play a key role in decision-making. In my experience within project finance, I’ve been able to add value by improving data quality, streamlining reporting, and providing clearer commercial insight, and this type of environment allows those skills to be fully utilised and further developed.
Overall, it feels like a place where you can continue to grow, take ownership, and make a tangible impact rather than just holding a role.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Last Mile?
My main advice would be to really understand the business and the sector before applying. Last Mile operates in a fast-paced, delivery-focused environment, so showing that you understand how finance, operations, and data come together to support decision-making will make a strong impression.
I’d also recommend being clear on how your skills translate into practical value. It’s not just about technical ability, but how you use data, problem-solving, and commercial thinking to improve processes and support better outcomes.
I’d also recommend being clear on how your skills translate into practical value. It’s not just about technical ability, but how you use data, problem-solving, and commercial thinking to improve processes and support better outcomes.
