Job Description

Graduate Training Scheme – Finance Executive
Retail & Consumer Goods
Location: Croydon (Hybrid)

The Company

We are working with a growing retail and consumer goods business who are investing heavily in innovation, data, and AI-driven ways of working. They are looking to welcome a Finance Executive into their Group Accounting team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone early in their finance career who enjoys working with numbers, technology, and data, and is looking to build on their core accounting knowledge within a supportive and forward-thinking environment.

The Responsibilities

This role sits within the Group Accounting team and offers exposure across multiple entities, giving you a well-rounded understanding of how finance operates within a larger business.

You will be involved in:

• Supporting a modern finance function that is embracing AI, automation, and smarter processes
• Posting journals and building confidence around debits and credits
• Supporting the month-end process across the group
• Assisting with balance sheet reconciliations and resolving any differences
• Working with data to help understand performance and spot trends
• Supporting intercompany reconciliations and group reporting
• Helping with audit queries and maintaining accurate financial records
• Looking at existing finance processes with a curious mindset and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency
• Supporting the team with new ways of working, including automation and AI tools where appropriate
• Asking thoughtful questions to better understand procedures and contribute ideas that strengthen controls and reporting

The Candidate

We are looking for someone who is naturally organised, inquisitive, enjoys working with data, and has a genuine interest in AI, innovation, and the future of finance.

You will likely have:

• A strong academic background (ideally a 2:1 or above)
• A good understanding of basic accounting principles, including debits and credits
• Around 6 months’ experience in a finance role
• Started, or planning to start, a professional qualification (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
• Confidence working with Excel and handling data
• A thoughtful, detail-focused approach and a willingness to learn
• Strong AQ (Adaptability Quotient) with a proactive mindset and openness to change
• Curiosity around emerging technology, AI tools, and how they can improve finance processes
• The confidence to suggest better ways of working and challenge inefficiencies positively

Why Join

• Join a business where AI, data, and innovation are high on the agenda
• A supportive team that will help you develop and grow
• Exposure to group accounting across multiple entities
• A data-driven environment where your work has real impact
• Study support and clear progression over time
• Opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking finance function embracing modern technology