Finance, The Co-operative Group

Tackle the challenges facing business and the wider world
With 15 different businesses, 4,900 outlets, 110,000 people and a turnover of £10.1bn, The Co-operative can offer you a graduate experience with unrivalled commercial exposure.

We’re not just a food retailer but also a travel provider, a funeral director, a pharmacist, a legal services provider, and much more. But the real difference lies not just in what we do. It’s what we are – a co-operative, and the world’s largest consumer co-operative at that.

Joining our CIMA Finance programme, 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, 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, before choosing where you want to concentrate.

Your experience will be tailored to satisfy the CIMA requirements, as well as enhancing your leadership skills. Owing to the examination structure, the programme will last for 3 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 and a ‘buddy’ to provide support through your induction and exams.

What are we looking for?
As a co-operative, we need our graduates to have a unique mix of skills and behaviours. It’s not just about academic achievements, but also about the experiences, opinions and beliefs that make you who you are. You don’t need a finance degree to qualify – what counts is that you’re as passionate about a career in finance, as you are about our values and principles.

Our Finance programme will present a wide array of challenges, so you’ll need to be confident, tenacious, resilient and flexible. Early responsibility and a high profile are exciting prospects, but you’ll need to work hard to earn credibility and respect. The result of your efforts will be a leadership role in a unique company that continues to innovate and lead the market.

To make it on to our graduate programme, you’ll need a 2:2 in any degree discipline; we have no UCAS point entry requirements.

Typical no of positions: 20

Apply now