How did you become an apprentice?
We discussed my progression at Trenches Law in a 1:1 review last year, and I posed the question: “If I self-fund the AAT qualification, will Trenches support me by allowing me the time out of work to complete it?”
My line manager soon came back to me with details on the apprenticeship, which allowed me to undertake this qualification, and confirmed that Trenches would not only honour me the much-needed time out of work, but cover associated costs too.
Tell us more about the Trenches Law team and your role:
We often refer to the team here as “The Trenches Family”. We work collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for the business, colleagues, and clients alike. And a huge part of that involves championing our continued development.
My role as head of finance is to manage the income, outgoings, payroll, VAT returns and budgeting for upcoming events, as well as highlight any ‘red flags’ to the directors and CSMs.
What does a typical working day look like for you?
Reconciling payments and receivables, preparing and sending invoices, loading bills to the system, forecasting pay runs, plus budgeting and booking industry event tickets, amongst many other things! It’s busy, but I love it.
How long will the apprenticeship take to complete?
17 months — which means I’ll be certified by May 2024.
And which qualifications will you receive, by the end of it?
AAT level 3 (Association of Accounting Technicians). This will enable me to enhance my finance and accountancy skills, and hopefully progress to more senior roles in the future.
What’s your favourite part about the position?
The variety of work that I’m able to undertake, as well as the ability to progress my career further.
And what’s the most crucial thing you’ve learnt so far?
The importance of teamwork and collaboration. Building positive relationships with colleagues and clients is critical to achieving results at Trenches Law, and being able to offer guidance appropriately is a major driver of success too.
Do you have any advice that you can share with other would-be apprentices?
If the opportunity arises, absolutely grab it with both hands. Don’t be afraid to ask the question yourself in the first place, either. The apprenticeship trainers and coaches are so supportive. And if your employer is too, you’re bound to succeed.
If you’re keen to learn more about Trenches Law’s apprenticeship support, please get in touch today.
