Finance & AI Graduate

Location: Huddersfield

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

• 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 excellent 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

• High numerical and problem-solving skills

• Interest in technology, automation, and AI

• Resilience and adaptability in a progressive 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.