Finance & AI Graduate Programme

3-year Finance Graduate programme combining accounting training (CIMA) with hands-on experience in financial reporting, business partnering, and AI-driven automation in an eCommerce business

Launch your career at the intersection of finance and AI

At Buy It Direct, you won’t just train to become a qualified accountant; you’ll play a hands-on role in transforming a fast-growing eCommerce business through AI and automation.

This is a three-year graduate programme designed to fast-track you into a Finance Manager or Business Partner role, combining a professional qualification with real-world impact from day one.

What you’ll get

• Starting salary of £26,500 per annum

•  Increasing by up to £5,000 each year, based on performance milestones and experience

• Fully funded CIMA qualification

• A structured development programme with clear progression

• Hands-on experience with AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making

• The opportunity to work on real projects that directly impact the business

The programme

Year 1 – Build your foundations

Get to grips with how finance works in a real business.

• Support month-end processes (journals, accruals, reconciliations)
 • Assist with audits, reporting, and core finance operations
 • Develop strong financial and analytical skills
 • Begin your CIMA qualification
 • Start using AI tools to support reporting and analysis

Year 2 – Take ownership

Step into more responsibility and start influencing decisions.

• Take ownership of parts of the month-end process
 • Prepare VAT returns and balance sheet reconciliations
 • Analyse performance vs budgets and forecasts
 • Present insights to internal stakeholders
 • Contribute to automation and AI-driven process improvements

Year 3 – Make an impact

Operate at a Finance Manager / Business Partner level.

• Own management accounts for a business area
 • Lead month-end and deliver accurate, timely reporting
 • Partner with stakeholders across the business
 • Provide insight and challenge to support better decisions
 • Lead AI and automation initiatives to improve performance
 • Mentor junior team members

What we’re looking for

• A 2:1 degree (any discipline — we value mindset over subject)
 • Motivation to complete a professional qualification (CIMA)
 • A proactive approach and willingness to take ownership
 • Curiosity about how businesses perform and grow
 • Strong numerical and problem-solving skills
 • Interest in technology, automation, and AI
 • Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment

Where this can take you

By the end of the programme, you’ll be:

• A fully qualified management accountant
 • A confident commercial thinker influencing business decisions
 • Experienced in using AI and automation to improve performance
 • Ready to step into a Finance Manager or Business Partner role

If you’re looking for more than a traditional finance graduate role and want to be part of how technology is shaping the future of business, this is your opportunity.