Michael Kelly
Finance Trainee, Lancaster
I’m just starting a new role in Business Development as Finance Manager, supporting the Local Delivery Plan in the PCT. In just 9 months, I’ve progressed well through the first stage of the examinations to becoming a Qualified Management Accountant and am now well into the next phase of my development.
Monday
I might have a meeting with a budget holder, usually an assistant director/manager, where we would discuss projects and get an update on progress. This not only shows that we take monitoring seriously, but also gives the opportunity to discuss minor issues or take away bigger problems to deal with.
Tuesday
I usually attend a monitoring group for the local delivery plan (LDP) or observe a meeting such as the Commissioning Executive if not a directorate or operations group meeting. These are usually high profile and take place at the highest level to decide on operational and strategic matters and may include directors and assistant directors. It's a great insight into how organisations such as the NHS are run. I also need to make time to prepare reports and update spreadsheets and this can take a day or two each week.
Wednesday
I currently travel into Manchester each Wednesday for college. It's also an opportunity to catch up with colleagues who may be based in other Trusts and to spend some time concentrating on the other aspects of my development.
Thursday
I carry out day to day tasks, depending on the time of month and when reports need to be completed for.
Friday
Every other Friday I have a 1:1 with my programme manager where we can discuss any issues that have arisen, have performance reviews bi-annually and discuss my placements and future development plans.