Finance & AI Graduate Programme Location: Huddersfield Company: Buy It Direct Salary: £26,500 - Increasing by £5,000 each year, linked to a programme 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 £5,000 each year, linked to a programme 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.