Celebrating Apprenticeship Success at Apex Radio Systems

At Apex Radio Systems, we’re always proud to celebrate the achievements of our team. Today, we’re delighted to recognise Reece for passing his AAT Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship, achieving a Merit – a fantastic achievement and testament to his hard work and dedication. Since starting his apprenticeship almost two years ago, Reece has grown in confidence, skill and experience, consistently exceeding expectations throughout his journey. Achieving a Merit is a well-deserved reflection of the hard work and commitment he has shown.

We asked Reece a few questions to highlight his apprenticeship journey:

What made you want to complete an apprenticeship?

I was never actually looking for an apprenticeship; however, I knew I wanted to gain workplace experience and learn about working in an accounts department. When I saw the opportunity to complete the AAT Level 3 Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship, I knew it was the path for me to gain experience and knowledge. 

How did you find your apprenticeship journey?

Being able to gain real-world experience whilst learning helped me to decide what parts of accountancy I did and didn’t enjoy. Exploring the different areas within accounts has guided me to move forward with my career. Aside from learning the ins and outs of working within an accounts team, meeting other people on the apprenticeship helped me to see the possibilities with a range of different careers in finance.

What key skills did you learn?

Over the two years, I have developed a wide range of skills. One of the areas I’ve improved most in is using spreadsheets and Excel formulas, which are essential in helping us keep financial information organised and accurate. Another skill I believe I have excelled in is adapting my communication style to suit the different stakeholders I’m engaging with. Within my role, I speak to a variety of people, so it’s important to understand how to change my communication style for each person.

How has Apex supported you?

The training during my apprenticeship consisted of attending my training provider’s premises once a week. Apex was extremely accommodating, especially as I was only working in the office four days a week. Not only have Apex been extremely flexible with my working schedule, but they also allowed me to study during working hours. I’m very grateful for their support during my apprenticeship journey. 

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to continue my role within the accounts team at Apex and learn as much as I can. I really enjoy working within the accounts team; everyone is so kind and friendly. I’m lucky to have had my first-ever job be such a positive experience. 

Are there any particular moments that stand out during your apprenticeship?

The biggest moment that stands out to me is becoming familiar with a software I once struggled with. When I first began my journey with Apex, the Sage software we used was unfamiliar, as I had never used or seen a system like it before. It was quite daunting trying to navigate the different elements of it; however, I quickly adapted to using it, and I’m proud of how confident I’ve become using it.

Which achievement are you most proud of?

One of the biggest challenges the accounts team faced at Apex was reducing aged debtors, and this is probably what I’m most proud of in my role so far, as the team and I have made significant progress in reducing this. Another aspect of my role I am proud of is the team working together to improve credit control processes. I’m glad to work in a team that works so closely together and supports each other’s successes.

How did it feel when you found out you passed?

When I passed, I felt pure relief; the hard work paid off, and I felt proud of everything I had achieved. I recieved a lovely card from my manager, which I was very grateful for.

Everyone at Apex is incredibly proud of Reece and everything he has achieved. We look forward to supporting him as he continues to grow his career in accountancy, and we have no doubt he has a bright future ahead of him. Congratulations, Reece!