Assistant Finance Analyst / Assistant Accountant – Finance Pathway Programme

Overview

Permanent

Up to £31,000 + Pension + PMI + ShareSave + 6.6 weeks holiday + Hybrid Working (3 days per week in the office)

Southampton, Store Support Office

We believe anyone can improve their home to make life better. From our Southampton Store Support office (SSO) we equip our stores, our people, and our whole business with everything it takes to help our millions of customers create a home they'll love. Join us as a Assistant Finance Analyst / Assistant Accountant - Finance Pathway Programme and you'll be a big part of this.

Before submitting your application, please click here to complete the pre-application activity on the B&Q Pathway Platform. This will generate your Connectr Code, which you'll need to include in your application form via B&Q Careers page. The activity gives you an honest insight into the Finance Pathway and the opportunity to hear from our current pathwayers to help you decide whether it's the right path for you.

What's the job?

Our 3-year Finance Pathway Programme recruits Assistant Finance Analysts and Assistant Accountants who want to build a long-term Finance career. You'll work towards an ACCA or CIMA qualification while rotating through Finance teams and building broad commercial and accounting experience.

We're looking for driven individuals who are committed to combining their role with professional study. You'll be supported by your peer group, line manager and mentor, alongside dedicated skills and behaviours training.

By joining B&Q, you'll be working for the UK's leading home improvement retailer, and part of the Kingfisher group. You'll join a fast-paced Finance team with opportunities to build your experience and develop your career across B&Q and the wider Group.

We operate a hybrid work environment to increase flexibility in where and when we work, for this role we are looking for someone able to work from our head office 3 days a week. This is a full-time opportunity, Monday to Friday.

During the programme, you could be:

• Building budgets and forecasts for key business areas

• Analysing performance and explaining what is driving results

• Supporting investment decisions and project appraisals

• Contributing to statutory and operational accounting

• Developing strong Excel and data analysis skills

• Communicating insight to a range of stakeholders

• Supporting high-profile presentations to senior managers

What we need:

• A genuine commitment to building a long-term career in Finance.

• The drive to learn quickly, take ownership and actively seek responsibility.

• Curiosity to understand how the business works and challenge assumptions.

• Resilience to balance a demanding role with professional study.

• Strong numerical, communication and organisational skills

• The ability to build relationships and work effectively with others.

• Care and accuracy when producing high-quality work.

• A minimum 2:1 degree is preferred. However, we also welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate strong numerical ability, drive and the potential to succeed in a professional Finance qualification.

• Experience using Excel or PowerPoint would be beneficial. Exposure to data visualisation or AI tools is useful but not essential.

By the end of the programme, you should have gained a professional qualification, broad Finance experience and the commercial understanding needed to continue building a long-term career in Finance.

Key dates

• Applications close: Monday 4th January 2027

• Assessment day: Tuesday 26th January 2027 at B&Q House.

• Successful candidates will join the programme in September 2027.

What's in it for me?

What's In It For You?

At B&Q, we're building more than great homes - we're building great careers.

When you join us, you'll be part of a supportive, inclusive business where your ideas matter, your development is invested in, and your wellbeing is genuinely important.

Here's what you can expect:

🏡 Flexible & Hybrid Working - Work in a way that helps you perform at your best, balancing business needs with personal commitments.

📈 Career Growth & Development - Access learning, development and career opportunities across one of the UK's leading retail organisations.

💰 Competitive Reward Package - A competitive salary, pension and a range of financial benefits.

🛒 Colleague Discounts - Enjoy discounts across B&Q and the wider Kingfisher Group.

❤️ Health & Wellbeing Support - Access wellbeing resources, health support and employee assistance programmes designed to help you thrive.

🌴 Time Away From Work - Generous holiday entitlement and family-friendly policies that support life both inside and outside work.

🤝 A Place Where You Belong - We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to be themselves.

🌍 Make a Difference - The work you do will have a direct impact on our customers, colleagues and business.

Eligibility To Work

Please note that B&Q does not currently offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application and throughout their employment.

Accessibility & Disability Confident

At B&Q, we're committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience for everyone.

If you require any additional support or reasonable adjustments to help you complete your application or throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.

If you would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please contact us at recruitment@b-and-q.co.uk. If you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we'll consider your application in line with our Disability Confident commitments.