Finance
If you have a finance degree, finance experience, or you simply have a passion for developing a career in this field, you might want to consider our CIMA accredited Finance programme. With lots of support and a previous graduate as a ‘buddy’, this programme will prepare you for the challenges you'll face as one of our future finance leaders, as well as giving you plenty of scope to prove yourself.
Induction
Your first week will be a thorough introduction to the Group. We'll share with you our plans and ambitions for the future, you'll meet managers from across the business, start building your network and discover more about The Co-operative Group.
Customer insight project
You can’t understand our business without understanding our customers. In this placement you’ll be asked to work together as a cohort of graduates, managing your own time, workload and direction to investigate a customer-related issue, making recommendations for improvements that will be presented to senior managers. During the course of your research you’ll spend time in our retail outlets and meet our customers face to face. The results of your work could have far-reaching implications across our businesses.
For instance, our 2007 graduates benchmarked our customer refund policy against our competitors and made recommendations of how it could be improved. Their project saves the organisation approximately 2 million pounds per year.
Finance placements
Our three-year, CIMA-accredited programme for finance spans the length and breadth of the Group. Through working with us, you’ll get a structured programme with unparalleled exposure to a diverse range of businesses. At the same time it will build both your technical expertise and business knowledge.
You’ll start by gaining excellent experience of accounting software packages, along with a detailed overview of financial processes before preparing monthly accounts. Through analysing and interpreting the figures you’ll sharpen your commercial awareness; through working with external suppliers such as auditors such as auditors, and by briefing senior managers, you’ll hone your influencing skills.
You’ll gain a broad perspective on financial strategy, as well as experience within specialist areas such as tax, internal audit, strategic planning and treasury,
The programme will involve you in varied and exciting work: graduates have recently experienced the preparation of corporate strategic plans, a tax reclaim project and the redesign of regional board reports. These opportunities are unique – just like our business.
"It’s a steep learning curve, but you get to decide where you want your career to go and there are always people around who take the time to offer help and encouragement. I think it’s a stunningly good programme. No matter how high your ambitions, the company will match them – I made a presentation to the Chief Financial Officer after being with the organisation for only three months. Where else could you find that level of exposure?"
Matt Tutty, Graduate 2008
Learning & development reviews 
After each project, we’ll review your performance and progress. We believe it’s important to take time out and reflect on what you’ve achieved, and how you’ve developed.
Support and your qualification
This is a CIMA-accredited programme and as such, due to the examination requirements, will last for three years. Throughout that time we'll provide full support for you to achieve your professional qualification, including paid study leave for exams, textbook contribution and expenses. You'll also have a senior manager from the finance team acting as your personal mentor, who can offer you impartial advice and coaching outside of your reporting line. On top of that, you'll have a personal development plan, regular reviews with your line manager and a ‘buddy’ to provide support throughout your induction and exams.
To ensure you develop as a successful leader, you will undertake a structure development programme covering everything from influencing to leadership skills. Essentially, the modules will give you everything you'll need to take the business and your career forward.