Finance Undergraduate Review

The main role within the rotational placement was with the RTR (Record to Report) function. Daily tasks within this team focused on month-end reporting and managing areas such as transport, inventory, and fixed assets. This included creating and posting journals for the month's reporting and completing balance sheet reconciliations for these accounts the following week. Outside of month-end, daily tasks included project/ad-hoc work. The role involved collaboration with people within the team and across other departments.

A key element of the role is learning to use SAP. This software is used for viewing and managing company accounts and is vital to the role. I also developed my Microsoft Excel skills over the year, as this is used for the majority of tasks, including preparing journals, balance sheet reconciliations, and any project work. There were many opportunities to also develop soft skills such as communication and teamwork, as there is a large emphasis on collaboration.

At the start of the placement, I did a lot of shadowing to learn how to use the required software. After this training, I became responsible for my own tasks and ensuring they were completed on time. Throughout the placement, my level of responsibility and the difficulty of the tasks increased. In addition to routine daily tasks, I was also given the responsibility of leading project work.

At the start of the placement, I did a lot of shadowing. This training helped me understand the processes and how to use the required software. I was walked through each task I would be responsible for and given a set of notes to refer to if needed. Throughout the year, I could always ask for assistance if I needed help with a task. This support was also available for any issues outside of daily tasks.

I found it enjoyable to come into the office because the atmosphere was very friendly. Before even sitting at my desk, I would have said 'good morning' to multiple people. We had 'huddles' twice a week for sharing updates and engaging in team-building activities. Additionally, we went for a team lunch every couple of months, which encouraged socializing and increased team morale. I always felt like I could reach out to anyone for help, including the wider team.

I have enjoyed the last twelve months and feel like I've learned a lot. The rotational element allowed me to gain experience in various areas, helping me make decisions about my career path. However, moving around sometimes meant there wasn't always enough to do, as I wasn't an established member of one team. Overall, I enjoyed the experience and would consider working at Burberry again in the future.

Yes

It's important to research the company before applying to any job. Burberry has four main values that are at the core of everything they do. You should ensure that your values align with these, as demonstrating them is a significant part of being a member of the Burberry team. Collaboration is a key aspect of daily tasks, so be prepared to work collectively with others rather than individually. The office is very friendly, and everyone is eager to help, so don't be discouraged if you're unsure of anything. There's an expectation that employees are flexible, so being prepared for this is useful.