For those with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, one way to enter a career in finance, accountancy and financial services is through a graduate training scheme.

Graduate training schemes are run by a number of employers and offer new graduates an opportunity to gain a job that comes with in-depth training. The entry requirements vary but typically applicants are expected to have achieved a 2.1 or first in their UK first degree or equivalent overseas qualification. 

The majority of graduate training schemes have an application procedure which will consist of an application form, generally online, psychometric tests, and an assessment centre, which will include an interview.

These schemes often last for between two and three years and generally consist of rotations around different departments of the organisation.  This enables the graduate to experience a breadth of the organisation, finding out which department they most enjoy and where they excel in terms of performance, and it enables the employers to ascertain where the graduate will add most value.

The employer will often expect that the relevant professional qualifications are gained during the training period. Upon completion of the scheme, the trainee will be offered a permanent post in one of the departments where their skills are most suited should they have performed well.

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