Accountancy and Finance Graduate Programme
Programme title: Accountancy and Finance Graduate Programme
Salary: Minimum £35,000. Salary is dependent on location, role and qualifications.
Location: Across the UK, including Portsmouth, Devonport in Plymouth, Bristol, Bovington, Warminster and Donnington in Telford
Application closing date: 20 October 2026
Programme start date: September 2027
Role ID: 74515
What will you do on the programme?
On our Accounting and Finance Graduate Programme, you’ll be involved in financial activities that support some of the most complex and high-profile areas of our business. From major defence programmes to strategic operations, you’ll help teams make informed decisions and drive performance.
You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of financial disciplines – such as budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and analysis – across different areas of the organisation. This will help you get to grips with the complexities of company-based accounting and financial management in a global business environment.
You’ll also work towards a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) qualification through the Level 7 Accounting or Taxation Professional Apprenticeship – a master’s degree-level programme designed to develop aspiring professionals into fully competent, confident, and credible finance leaders. It’s an ideal pathway for those looking to accelerate their career and reach the top of the accountancy profession.
How is the programme structured?
This three-year programme is built around three 12-month placements, each designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of accountancy and finance. You’ll rotate through roles in project and financial accounting, gaining broad exposure to different areas of the business and developing a well-rounded skill set.
Each rotation offers the opportunity to work on varied projects within a sector or business, helping you build confidence, capability, and clarity about your future career path.
How do we develop and support you?
From day one, you’ll receive structured support and dedicated mentorship to help you be your best throughout your programme and beyond. You’ll join our Graduate Development Programme, featuring expert-led masterclasses on communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing.
You’ll also work towards the CIMA Professional Qualification, which leads to Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) status and Associate of Chartered Management Accountants (ACMA) membership. This globally recognised designation demonstrates your ability to lead and support organisations through complex financial environments.
The programme blends academic learning with practical experience, giving you the technical, business, and leadership skills needed to thrive in a finance career.
What’s waiting for you after the programme?
When you complete the programme, you’ll move into a substantive role within Accountancy and Finance at Babcock. From there, your development doesn’t stop. We’ll support you as you grow into more senior roles and take on greater responsibility. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped-out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go.
What rewards and benefits will you get?
We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. That’s why we offer a comprehensive package designed to support your development, your wellbeing and your life outside of work too.
In addition to a minimum starting salary of £35,000, you’ll benefit from:
- A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays
- Generous pension and employee share schemes
- Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts
- Wellbeing support, covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, with services like our Employee Assistance Programme, digital GP service, and health checks.
You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.
What do you need to apply?
You’ll need to have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a bachelor's or master's degree, with a demonstrable interest in Finance, working with numbers, and solving problems.
Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) security clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.
Where will you be based?
Our Accounting and Finance programme for September 2027 is part of our Group Graduate Programme.
Your placements in Accounting and Finance could take you to a number of locations across the UK, including Portsmouth, Devonport in Plymouth, Bristol, Bovington, Warminster or Donnington in Telford.
We ask all our graduates to be open to relocating during the programme. This flexibility helps you get the most out of your placements and allows us to match you with the right opportunities across the business. We’ll always do our best to understand your preferences and balance them with business needs.
Agile working is supported, but you’ll be expected to work on-site multiple times a week.
Application process and important information
Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and if there’s a high level of interest in this programme, we may close applications earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.
Please apply to one programme only. If we receive more than one application from you, we’ll assess the first one submitted. If your chosen programme becomes oversubscribed, we may contact you to discuss other programmes you could be eligible for.
We're a Disability Confident Employer. If you require additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply. Our team will contact you after receiving your application to discuss your requirements and the support available.
We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
