In this interview, we hear from Alex, our third Apprentice of the Quarter, about why he chose the CIMA qualification, his experiences studying with FI, and his valuable tips for other apprentices. Join us as we explore Alex’s journey, the challenges he’s overcome, and the insights he’s gained along the way.
Congratulations on being chosen for First Intuition’s Apprentice of the Quarter Award. It was an easy choice. What do you think was the biggest factor that led to your success this quarter?
I think the biggest factor was applying CIMA and apprenticeship skills daily as I developed professionally in the final stages. I focused on leadership and stakeholder collaboration to deliver high-impact outcomes with a new forecasting solution.
What made you choose a career in accountancy? Was there anything that triggered your decision?
I’ve always been good with numbers. With accountancy, I can combine that with driving business insight and working with great people on challenging business problems. This made it an easy decision.
What was your preferred approach to studying? Do you have any study tips for other students and apprentices?
The best advice I can give is to start studying far ahead of the exams. Make the most of the mock papers and the excellent tutors at First Intuition. There is a reason why participation in the mocks and class leads to better exam outcomes!
How have you been supported by your company and colleagues throughout your apprenticeship so far? How has this contributed to your success with CIMA?
British Airways and my colleagues have been instrumental in my CIMA and apprenticeship success. The generous study support, graduate community, and the opportunity to apply apprenticeship skills in my day-to-day role have resulted in my success during my time with First Intuition.
Which qualities would you suggest a new learner looks for in a tuition provider to get the best experience from their studies?
The best quality in a tuition provider would be a true student-centric tutoring model. While any tuition provider would be able to teach the core content of a professional qualification, having committed, personable, and highly skilled tutors like First Intuition is a much harder quality to find in a tuition provider.
How do you feel the apprenticeship route has benefitted you, and what has it added to your study experience and professional development?
The apprenticeship route has significantly broadened my studies versus solely studying for the CIMA qualification. Whether this is through the specific focus on the apprenticeship skills or the ISP days First Intuition runs, the broader scope allows one to take a step back and consider the wider skillset required as a professional which goes far beyond accounting theory.
Do you have any goals/plans in mind for when you finish your apprenticeship?
Jumping straight from my degree into the apprenticeship has been full-on, so I intend to take a step back and audit all that I have learned so I can make the best decision for the next steps in my career.
Read more of our Apprentice of the Interviews | Find out more about the CIMA qualification