London Treasurers' Graduate Finance Scheme

Has anyone else applied for this scheme? I am waiting for my result from my application form. This looks like a really intersting alternative to accountancy firm training.

Yeh, I applied for this job. How's ur application going?
I thought the same. I think working in the public sector will bring a whole new level of job satisfaction to an accountancy/finance role.

Plus, you won't get made redundant like you would in the private sector right now!

hey yeah just completed my online tests yesteerday so am waiting for my results, how about you? How far into the process are you?

hey,
you did the online test? how was it? what are the maths questions like?
good luck with everything
x

hi, the online test was fine, same as most others maybe a little bit simpler, lots of % stuff etc and adding up really.

oh that doesnt sound to bad,
thanks for the reply ;)
x

hiya am waiting from mine to, hi beverage could you tell me the content of the online test ie: did it weight more on ratios and % (are the test all the same), also how did you find intrepreting the questions to dervive the answer, thanks and good luck

is the online numerical test from SHL or PSL?

Hi, the tests are from the SHL website and prob that same standard as their practise test on the website. As far as I remember there were no or not many ratios, mostly percentages and working out things from given % etc. If you practise them and are happy with maths you will be fine! goodluck all

Sorry Nnema i didnt really answer you r question...

- regarding interpreting the question just take your time and make sure you understand what they are asking once you know that deriving the answer is probably the easy part. I found I was not as rushed for time as I have been in other tests and managed to answer all the questions so you should be able to take your time making sure you understand what they are asking first.

- the test is not all the same you got a new graph/table every two or three questions I find it easier to briefly look at the question before the info so i have a vague idea first what to look for.

Hope this helps and good luck

hi beverage thanks for tyhe insight another q i wanted to ask (everyone can suggest the answer) was on the shl practice q where they were 39 q - i cant seem to get the answer to work it out, i just wanted to know if anyone has done it and gone the right answer and if the could explain their working out - the q's was

q 11: if the tax bill for this year was £20,000 which was an increas of 25% from last year how much was paid out on expenses that year?

q5: If the number of bus passengers who are under 35 decreased by 0.8% next year, and 11% of this age group travelled by bus axpromaitely how many commuters would be under 35?

Thanks - am open to anyone method of working them out

Anybody got to telephone interview stage? Any tips?

I have mine this Wednesday, I'm guessing it will only be based on the competencies mentioned on their website. it says we should be able to "Demonstrate an understanding of the financial and political environment in which the local government operates.
Aware of the role of local government finance." so i'm going to have to read up on that

Yeah think I'm just going to discuss regeneration projects like the Olympics and also discuss the piramry PFI contracts that are in the London Borough. Im sure you've already found it but public finance co uk has some interesting articles, shall keep u poted on how it goes!

I have been invited to the assessment centre, has anybody else heard back from them?

I still haven't heard the results from my telephone interview, when did they contact you? Was it by email? Congratultions on getting through, u must have really nailed the competencies, which i think i flunked!!

hey guys,
just got my invite to the assessment centre (yay!)
My interview was Friday 30th Jan so about a week and a half ago.
Anyone booked in an assessment centre yet?

Good luck to everyone!

Hi, yeah i booked my assessment centre yesterday, its for 19th Feb...

I had my interview last thurs and heard on monday. I've booked myself for the 24th

I've booked myself for 24th too. If you are going in the morning as3105, see you there.
didn't know we had to do a presentation...

yeah it is! see you there :) I called them and they said they will send us info on the presentation nearer the date

I did my telephone interview about 2 weeks ago and am waiting for them to get back to me. They said they’re in the process of doing so now. Is anyone else standing by? Also, has anyone had the assessment centre? If so, how did it go etc.? Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

1

Hi, Has anyone else applied for the scheme this year?

I did. Just had my online test and got a telephone interview booked for next Monday. What about you? Do you have any idea what they'll ask in the interview?

I just took my online test, kinda messed it up though so not sure i'll be getting through. How long did it take them to get in touch after the test?

About an hour, no more. But you shouldn't worry because sometimes they can take longer.

hey nikmishin,

what questions were you asked for the phone interview? I've got mines this week.

Thanks

Hello ace123,

It was a competency based interview trying to find out about very specific examples that show my skills. They asked things like:

Tell me about the time when you had to overcome some obstacles and how did you do that.
When was the last time you had to work against a deadline, how did you plan your time?
Tell me about the time when you showed problem solving skills.

Also they asked about the CIPFA qualification, what modules will you be expected to take ( I thought the interviewer ment What modules wil you choose, and I got confused as there isn't a choice!)

What are the main challenges for local governments (in general, not just London local authorities).

I felt better about this interview than about my previous one when they couldn't rephrase or ask any follow up questions as there was a strict list of them. With London Treasurers when I didn't ask the question very directly the interviewer kept asking and asking followups to get me back on track. I don't know if it's good or bad, but at least I knew they cared more.

I wish you the very best of luck with your interview and do no worry!

hey guys how long was your interview for this? I have one coming up on friday, and when practice mine it only takes 23 mins! :s any tips on how i can add more?
i believe that I am covering every aspect tho and in detail!

Don't worry, mine only took 25 mins. Well, it could have been a bad indicator though. The interviewer spent about 3 minutes explaining what it all was going to be about, what they would like to test, when they would need examples etc. So 23 mins of pure answers is very good. Btw, do the 23 mins include time for asking questions?

no mine was 23 altogether including the question and i took a minute for the interviewer to explain it to me. thats how long it took for another one of my tele interviews.
think i might just add something...even tho i dont want to cause i feel what i have prepared is good!

Results today?

Sorry, but what do you mean? Are London Treasurers telling people the results of te telephone interview today? How do you know? They told me I'll have to wait for 2-3 weeks.

The first AC is on the 16th so I'm pretty sure we will be hearing the results very shortly.

Hello everyone, i have gone through to the Assessment Stage, has anyone else been invited? please let me know.....im so nervous!

Hi. I'm through to the assessment centre as well. I'm worried about the presentation. How's yours going?

Any tips for the Assessment Centre?

Hey Everyone,

I've got my assessment centre this wednesday, and I was wondering if someone who has already gone can share their experience?

i.e. what did the interview cover, how was their presentation, group ex etc.

Thanks!

I was just wondering, has everyone got the same presentation topic?

 - Strategic challeges that face the local govt finance

does anyone know what kind of questions will be covered in the interview, they wouldnt repeat the ones in the telephone interview, right?

can the previous attendees of the assessment centre please share your experiences.

Thanks

Hey, I'm due to go to the assessment centre this week. Any chance of giving me any tips?
e.g Group Exercises, what sort of questions did they ask you about your presentation, written exercise

I'd be very grateful if you could help me

thanks

Hi

I also have an AC this week, any tips about the various exercises?

The interview on the day, surely most of the stuff was covered in the telephone interview?

Would really appreciate any feedback!

Cheers

has anyone heard anything post AC?

I think we will find out by the end of the week.

Yup they mentioned at the AC it'll take a week to a week and a half.

Hopefully we'll get some news by Friday.

Good luck to all.

Cheers

RS3

Btw have the AC details now been removed from your online account?

Mine were there up until yesterday.

RS3

Anyone else still waiting for the dates/times of their matching interviews or is it just me?

so anyone heard back from their boroughs after the interviews? i still havent heard back yet......guessing i havent got through! :(

They only phoned me last Thursday to update me about one of my interviews. I stopped them before they gave me the info because I've secured another job for next year. However, the lateness of their calls suggests to me that they're still conducting interviews, so don't be surprised that you've not heard anything yet.

hey cr237 thanks for your reply.

yea they were conducting interviews up until the 26th, ie the Friday, But in the original email from the London Treasurers People, they said we will should hear back by Monday 29th.

so thats why i am worried.

PS. congratulations on you other offer!

Sorry, possibly didn't get the point across properly. I think that their interview process is going beyond that deadline and consequently has delayed their phonecalls to give people offers. I only got a phone call to update me about what would have been my second interview date on Thursday afternoon. Hope you get a phone call soon however and that it's good news.

ah i see. maybe that is the case. but i know a couple of people who have got offers already.

thanks

Hey there, i was just looking at the comments, i saw the questions you put up, i know its been like a year but i got the answers so if u wanna know them just gimme a shout i can show you how i tackle them, takes me a few seconds.

Hi lovably_urz

I am currently applying for the scheme now and the deadline is tomorrow.

Could you give me some tips?

Anyone know what the telephone interview is like? what sort of questions do they ask and on which competencies?

Hi All,

As above, what is the telephone interview like?

Thanks

Hey,

Anyone had their telephone interviews yet? Any tips? Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi
does anyone know the dates of the assessment centre? I think they were between 16-18th March? or is the time gap longer?

Thanks

Hi
does anyone know the dates of the assessment centre? I think they were between 16-18th March? or 6-18th march?

Thanks

I think I remember reading somewhere they were on the 9th, 16th and 18th of March.

wow its been almost a year. i have a phone interview this coming thursday and im really nervous. any hints and tips would be very appreciated,.. especially information i could use for 'What are the main challenges for local governments (in general, not just London local authorities).

thanks in advance