Why do you enjoy your job?
I am an apprentice within compliance. Compliance is made up of different teams however I am attached to the compliance monitoring team which carries out reviews into different areas of the business to uncover where breaches (historic or present) have occurred and to alert the business. This is done by carrying out fieldwork and testing on data or work of a particular business area, recording our concerns or issues, consulting with the business and then writing a report that is finalised and sent to the business. There are two types of reviews: shorter desktop reviews and longer thematic reviews which are more detailed and thorough.
I am suited to this role because you need to be inquisitive in order to uncover more knowledge. You need to be willing to learn as you might be working on a business area which you are not familiar with. I am extremely organised and good with time management which is crucial in order to balance 2-3 reviews at one time and to keep all that you’re testing in order.
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
The most challenging thing about my job would be that I need to learn about a completely new area and asks lots of questions before I start my testing so I am fully aware of the business area I am investigating. It is also a challenge learning how to write a review that summarises the main issues. It is very easy to overwrite the reports so this is something I am struggling to adapt to.
How did you get into your job?
I came straight from A-levels to my apprenticeship at Fidelity. I had attended a college apprenticeship evening where I met a Fidelity employee and was invited to their insight day.. After that I decided that Fidelity was where I wanted to work. I applied online and completed a telephone interview followed by an assessment day consisting of a small group exercise and an individual interview and presentation.
What are your future aspirations?
I would like to pass all my exams as well as the apprenticeship, going on to secure a full role at the company whether that be in compliance or in another team. I would like to work my way up within the company and gain more industry qualifications as I go, so I can widen my knowledge and expertise. I want to give myself the best shot at being successful and to do this I want to gain expertise across the industry in a wide range of areas.
How would you sum up your Investment20/20 experience?
I have attended a few of the Investment20/20 industry events and courses which have been very helpful. Investment20/20 is a great way to network and give yourself a good head start in our industry as networking is a key component to being successful in financial services.
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