Finance Operations Manager Review
at EG On The Move
Degree Apprenticeship
Accounting, Finance
Blackburn, Lancashire
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.5 /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
-
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
I work as a Finance Operations Manager with responsibility for overseeing the Accounts Payable, Credit Control / Accounts Receivable, and Master Data functions. My role is focused on ensuring efficient financial operations, strong controls, and high service standards across these key areas of the business.
On a day-to-day basis, I manage team performance, allocate workloads, and support colleagues to ensure deadlines are met. I oversee supplier payments, invoice processing, debt collection, cash allocation, customer account management, and the maintenance of accurate supplier and customer master data. I also monitor KPIs, resolve escalated issues, review processes for continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with company policies and financial controls.
In addition, I work closely with internal departments and external stakeholders to improve processes, support month-end activities, provide reporting to senior management, and help drive operational efficiency across the finance function.
On a day-to-day basis, I manage team performance, allocate workloads, and support colleagues to ensure deadlines are met. I oversee supplier payments, invoice processing, debt collection, cash allocation, customer account management, and the maintenance of accurate supplier and customer master data. I also monitor KPIs, resolve escalated issues, review processes for continuous improvement, and ensure compliance with company policies and financial controls.
In addition, I work closely with internal departments and external stakeholders to improve processes, support month-end activities, provide reporting to senior management, and help drive operational efficiency across the finance function.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I have enjoyed my CMDA programme to a great extent, as it has provided me with valuable knowledge, practical tools, and greater confidence in my role as a Finance Operations Manager. The programme has helped me develop a broader understanding of management and leadership, particularly in areas such as people management, communication, decision-making, and continuous improvement.
One of the aspects I value most is that the learning is directly relevant to my day-to-day role. I have been able to apply concepts from the programme within my work environment, including improving team processes, strengthening performance management approaches, and reflecting on my own leadership style. This has made the apprenticeship highly practical and beneficial rather than purely theoretical.
I have also appreciated the opportunity to step back from daily operational demands and think more strategically about how I lead teams and contribute to wider business objectives. The programme has challenged me to develop new skills, build self-awareness, and continuously improve as a manager.
Overall, I have found the CMDA programme to be a positive and worthwhile experience that has supported both my personal development and my effectiveness in the workplace.
One of the aspects I value most is that the learning is directly relevant to my day-to-day role. I have been able to apply concepts from the programme within my work environment, including improving team processes, strengthening performance management approaches, and reflecting on my own leadership style. This has made the apprenticeship highly practical and beneficial rather than purely theoretical.
I have also appreciated the opportunity to step back from daily operational demands and think more strategically about how I lead teams and contribute to wider business objectives. The programme has challenged me to develop new skills, build self-awareness, and continuously improve as a manager.
Overall, I have found the CMDA programme to be a positive and worthwhile experience that has supported both my personal development and my effectiveness in the workplace.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, I have developed a number of new skills and strengthened existing ones through the CMDA programme. In particular, I have improved my leadership and people management skills, including how to support, motivate, and develop team members more effectively. I have also gained greater confidence in handling performance conversations, giving feedback, and adapting my management style to different individuals and situations.
The programme has also enhanced my communication and stakeholder management skills. I now approach collaboration with colleagues across departments in a more structured and professional way, ensuring clearer communication and stronger working relationships.
In addition, I have developed my strategic thinking and problem-solving skills by learning how to analyse issues, identify root causes, and implement improvements rather than only focusing on day-to-day tasks. This has been particularly valuable in my Finance Operations role, where efficiency, controls, and continuous improvement are important.
Overall, the apprenticeship has helped me grow as a manager by building on my existing experience while introducing new approaches, tools, and ways of thinking that I now apply in the workplace.
The programme has also enhanced my communication and stakeholder management skills. I now approach collaboration with colleagues across departments in a more structured and professional way, ensuring clearer communication and stronger working relationships.
In addition, I have developed my strategic thinking and problem-solving skills by learning how to analyse issues, identify root causes, and implement improvements rather than only focusing on day-to-day tasks. This has been particularly valuable in my Finance Operations role, where efficiency, controls, and continuous improvement are important.
Overall, the apprenticeship has helped me grow as a manager by building on my existing experience while introducing new approaches, tools, and ways of thinking that I now apply in the workplace.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The programme has provided a clear overall framework and the content itself has been valuable and relevant to my role. However, there have been areas where the organisation and structure could be improved, particularly in relation to communication, scheduling, and consistency of support. At times, timelines, expectations, or next steps have not always been as clear as they could be, which has made planning alongside work commitments more challenging.
That said, the programme has still offered useful learning opportunities and the modules have supported my development. With stronger coordination, clearer communication, and a more consistent learner experience, the programme could be significantly improved.
That said, the programme has still offered useful learning opportunities and the modules have supported my development. With stronger coordination, clearer communication, and a more consistent learner experience, the programme could be significantly improved.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a good level of support from my employer throughout my CMDA programme. My line manager is supportive in helping me balance my workload and apprenticeship commitments, and I am given time to attend learning sessions, complete assignments, and apply my learning within my role.
I am also encouraged to use my apprenticeship as part of my professional development, and I have opportunities to put new skills and knowledge into practice within my Finance Operations role. This includes leading improvements, developing my team, and taking on additional responsibility aligned to my learning.
Overall, my employer provides a supportive environment that enables me to progress through the programme while continuing to meet my day-to-day job responsibilities effectively.
I am also encouraged to use my apprenticeship as part of my professional development, and I have opportunities to put new skills and knowledge into practice within my Finance Operations role. This includes leading improvements, developing my team, and taking on additional responsibility aligned to my learning.
Overall, my employer provides a supportive environment that enables me to progress through the programme while continuing to meet my day-to-day job responsibilities effectively.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The level of support from my training provider has been mixed. There are aspects of the support that have been helpful, particularly the availability of learning materials and access to modules that are relevant to my role and development.
However, at times the support has not been as consistent or proactive as I would have expected. Communication can occasionally be unclear, and guidance around expectations, timelines, and next steps has not always been sufficiently detailed, which can make it challenging to stay fully on track.
While I am able to progress with my studies and complete required work, I feel that more structured and regular support, along with clearer communication, would improve the overall experience and help learners feel more confident in managing their workload alongside their qualification.
However, at times the support has not been as consistent or proactive as I would have expected. Communication can occasionally be unclear, and guidance around expectations, timelines, and next steps has not always been sufficiently detailed, which can make it challenging to stay fully on track.
While I am able to progress with my studies and complete required work, I feel that more structured and regular support, along with clearer communication, would improve the overall experience and help learners feel more confident in managing their workload alongside their qualification.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I feel that my qualification has helped me to perform more effectively in my role as a Finance Operations Manager. The content has been relevant to my day-to-day responsibilities and has strengthened my understanding of key management principles, particularly in areas such as leadership, communication, performance management, and continuous improvement.
Through the programme, I have been able to apply learning directly to my work environment, for example by improving how I manage and support my team across Accounts Payable, Credit Control, Accounts Receivable, and Master Data. It has also helped me take a more structured and reflective approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
While the qualification has been beneficial in developing my skills and confidence, its impact is strongest when the learning is clearly linked to practical workplace application. Overall, it has supported my development and enhanced my ability to carry out my role more effectively.
Through the programme, I have been able to apply learning directly to my work environment, for example by improving how I manage and support my team across Accounts Payable, Credit Control, Accounts Receivable, and Master Data. It has also helped me take a more structured and reflective approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
While the qualification has been beneficial in developing my skills and confidence, its impact is strongest when the learning is clearly linked to practical workplace application. Overall, it has supported my development and enhanced my ability to carry out my role more effectively.
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, there are a range of extra-curricular activities available within my organisation that help promote engagement, networking, and team development. These include quarterly social events, which provide an opportunity for colleagues across the business to connect in a more informal setting and strengthen working relationships.
In addition, we have whole finance away days, which bring together the wider finance team to focus on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and team building outside of the day-to-day working environment. These sessions also help improve alignment across different finance functions.
We also have leadership away days, which support development at a management level by encouraging discussion, strategic thinking, and networking with other leaders within the organisation.
Overall, these activities provide valuable opportunities to build relationships, improve collaboration, and enhance engagement across the business.
In addition, we have whole finance away days, which bring together the wider finance team to focus on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and team building outside of the day-to-day working environment. These sessions also help improve alignment across different finance functions.
We also have leadership away days, which support development at a management level by encouraging discussion, strategic thinking, and networking with other leaders within the organisation.
Overall, these activities provide valuable opportunities to build relationships, improve collaboration, and enhance engagement across the business.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend EG On The Move to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have found the organisation to be a great place for professional development, with strong opportunities to grow and progress within the business. The support for learning and development, combined with exposure to a wide range of responsibilities, has helped me build my skills and confidence significantly.
One of the key highlights of my experience is the clear progression opportunities available. I was promoted within 8 months, which reflects the organisation’s willingness to recognise performance and invest in internal talent.
Overall, EGOTM provides a supportive environment with genuine growth opportunities, and I would encourage others to consider it as a place to develop their career.
One of the key highlights of my experience is the clear progression opportunities available. I was promoted within 8 months, which reflects the organisation’s willingness to recognise performance and invest in internal talent.
Overall, EGOTM provides a supportive environment with genuine growth opportunities, and I would encourage others to consider it as a place to develop their career.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to EG On The Move?
My advice to anyone applying to EG On The Move would be to get stuck in from day one, show initiative, and be proactive in learning how things work. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially “why” things are done a certain way, as this helps you build a deeper understanding of the business and improve your own approach.
It’s also important to be committed and work hard, as the organisation recognises effort and performance and there are real opportunities to progress. If you show dedication, take ownership of your work, and are willing to learn and develop, you will be rewarded and given opportunities to grow within the business.
It’s also important to be committed and work hard, as the organisation recognises effort and performance and there are real opportunities to progress. If you show dedication, take ownership of your work, and are willing to learn and develop, you will be rewarded and given opportunities to grow within the business.
