Finance & AI Graduate Programme

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Finance & AI Graduate Programme

Location: Huddersfield

Company: Buy It Direct

Salary: £26,500 - Increasing by up to £5,000 each year, based on performance milestones and experience

Qualifications: Fully funded CIMA + AI development pathway

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
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Fully funded CIMA qualification
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A structured development programme with clear progression
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Hands-on experience with AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making
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• 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.