Undergraduate Finance

Industrial Placement Finance Officer

Location: UK Flexible

Start Date: 23rd June 2025

BAE Systems offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements. On our Industrial Placement programme, you will be required to attend your site 3-4 days per week. Please note, this may change in line with the needs of the business. The specific days for on-site and remote work will be outlined by your line manager.

A career in Finance is exciting, challenging, and diverse! Today’s finance professional must be highly skilled and flexible to quickly adapt to the rapid changes of our environment. Our goal is to develop people who are highly motivated and trained with the right skills to effectively guide our operations so that our business can grow.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity, rewards integrity and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and particularly from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our industry, including women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

What You Will Be Doing

On an Undergraduate Placement, over 12 months, you will be expected to be involved in a number of areas to develop a broad understanding of the Finance Services we are involved with.

Finance underpins everything we do – so it’s vital that we find and nurture our future talent now. Whilst on placement you will gain experience in one or more areas including financial accounting and reporting, management accounting, and project accounting along with the chance to put theory into practice, learn from colleagues who are experts in their field, and gain insights that can only come from real-world experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Cost base management and challenge including understanding departmental budgets and forecasts, preparation of journals and engagement with budget holders.
• Financial reporting activities to support month-end reporting including variance analysis, preparation of packs for submission, and consolidation of month-end inputs.
• Project Accounting activities including the raising of invoices, preparation of reconciliations, and production of other financial data for key stakeholders.
• Working as part of the Governance team to gain an understanding of processes and controls required in a multi-billion pound business.
• Opportunity to shadow senior members of the team to develop an understanding of the role of a finance leader within the function.

Skills

As a minimum requirement, you’ll need to be on track to obtain a 2.2 in your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or Physics. To be considered for this role you must be returning to university to complete your degree.

Opportunities for Growth and Development

We encourage employees to explore projects beyond their primary responsibilities, providing them with diverse experiences. With a wide range of products and a multinational presence, there are ample opportunities for employees to engage in various projects and initiatives.

Community Involvement

In addition to professional development, BAE Systems value community engagement. Employees are encouraged to participate in community projects, STEM initiatives, and employee resource groups, offering valuable learning experiences outside of their regular roles.

Retention and Career Development

Recognising the importance of retaining talented individuals, we offer sponsorship, career development support, and high-potential development programs. These initiatives aim to help employees plan their careers effectively and provide opportunities for accelerated development for those who demonstrate aspiration, ability, and performance.

Benefits

You’ll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance, and a company-contributed Share Incentive Plan. You’ll also have access to additional benefits such as flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work, and employee discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

Inclusivity within Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example, dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder, etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Our Environmental Responsibility

As a future-focused business, we’re committed to changing the world we live in for the better. Our target is to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. We’re innovating new ways to develop on-site renewable electricity and setting ambitious targets for water consumption and waste generation.

Export Control/Security

Please be aware that many roles working for BAE Systems will be subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform for the organisation.