Finance Placement Student (Construction)

Job Title: Finance Placement Student (Construction)

REPORTING TO: Financial Accountant / Financial Controller- Construction
DIVISION: Central
LOCATION: Hillsborough, Northern Ireland
CONTRACT TYPE: Full-Time, 12 Month Placement
BENEFITS: Pension, Life Assurance Scheme, Private Medical Cover, mentoring and coaching from experienced finance professionals.

Job Summary
As GRAHAM continues to grow, we're offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated and detail-oriented Placement Student to join our Finance Department for a year-long placement. This role is ideal for someone currently studying a finance or accounting related degree and looking to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic, fast-paced business environment where learning and development are actively encouraged.

You will be working closely with, and reporting to Financial Accountant/ Financial controller, gaining exposure to a wide range of financial activities that support the strategic and operational goals of the business. This placement offers a unique opportunity to gaining a broader understanding of how finance interacts with the wider business, while also building your confidence in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

We're looking for someone who is proactive, eager to learn, and ready to take on new challenges. If you're passionate about finance and want to make the most of your placement year in a company that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Description
The Placement Student shall:
• Assist with the reconciliation and review of the fixed asset register.
• Monitor supplier and customer ledgers, following up on queries for unusual transactions and aged items.
• Liaise with suppliers to reconcile payments and rebates in query.
• Assist with customer invoicing.
• Carry out the finance review of new sub-contracts including consideration of VAT coding, CIS status and adherence to corporate requirements.
• Liaise with the ESG team to assist with carbon reporting.
• Assist with maintaining financial records and documentation.
• Monthly reconciliation of intercompany balances.
• Assisting with the completion of annual statutory returns.
• Assisting with monthly management accounts preparation.
• Assisting with the preparation of annual accounts.
• Undertake any other duties which may be required.

This job description is intended to give the post holder an appreciation of the role envisaged for the Placement Student and the range of duties to be undertaken.

It does not attempt to detail every activity. Specific tasks and objectives will be agreed with the post holder at regular intervals.

Personal Specification
Technical Competencies
Essential
• Highly organised and efficient
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to deliver against agreed targets and objectives
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise workload accordingly
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrate competence in Excel and Word
• Attention to detail
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to be professional and courteous with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrate ability as a creative problem solver
• Experience in working in a fast-paced environment
• A team player

Desirable but not essential
• Studying towards a degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, economics or a related discipline
• Finance experience, administration or office-based work experience
• Knowledge of, or previous experience in, the Construction industry
• Demonstrate competence in SharePoint

Behavioural Competencies
Essential
Effective Communication skills: Able to adapt communication to audience and create effective written documents and reports. Able to develop, maintain and manage relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
Problem Solving: Looks objectively at every side of an idea or situation to ensure that all outcomes are thoroughly assessed before deciding on an appropriate course of action.
Planning and Prioritising: Plans and prioritises around departmental/team objectives. Able to spot opportunities and problems in the medium and long term and develop new approaches. Has a strong attention to detail with consistently accurate results.
Adaptability: Able to manage change and remain flexible to individual situations. Changes the overall plan, goal or project to fit the situation.

THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
• The closing date for applications will be Friday 8th January 2027.
• Interviews will commence in February 2027.
• Successful candidates will be notified in March 2027.
• All successful applicants will join the business by September 2027, with some opportunities to start earlier where possible.

Our Commitment:
At GRAHAM, we are proud to say that we are a committed Equal Opportunities Employer and we aim to be the first choice for people from all backgrounds. We seek to promote respect for the individual and equality of opportunities. We believe that everyone should be treated solely on the basis of personal merit and contribution throughout their GRAHAM career journey and not on the value of artificial barriers, prejudices, or preferences. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to making our policies and guidance accessible to all applicants and employees. If you need this document in an alternative format, such as large print, audio, or braille, please contact us at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 07384 916355

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role. If you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme, please contact Louise Hunter, Resourcing Manager, at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 07384 916355

We are only able to consider applications from individuals who are eligible to live and work in the UK, as per Home Office regulations. Please check your eligibility with the regulations before applying. Individuals with a current time restricted right to work in the UK, should contact the Human Resources team in the first instance. A basic disclosure may be requested if security clearance is required by 3rd party clients and a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position. Our Access NI/Vetting and Barring Scheme Policy and Policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available upon request.

GRAHAM reserves the right to carry out checks to ensure the validity of an applicant's experience and/or qualifications and we expect all applicants to comply with any such requests for information. Failure to do so or evidence of any falsification of information will lead to either removal from the recruitment process or if already in employment potential termination of contract through the company disciplinary procedure.