McDonald’s has run its business in the UK since 1974 and currently operates over 1500 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, serving almost four million customers each day. McDonald’s is one of the UK’s largest private sector employers, employing over 170,000 people.

Please submit your CV with a cover letter which answers the following question:

“With sustained inflation continuing to put pressure on both consumers and restaurants, what strategies could McDonald’s implement to enhance customer value, drive guest counts, and deliver strong commercial performance?”

Please ensure all submissions are included on the same document.

The Opportunity 
The McDonald's Finance Graduate Scheme is open for applications now! The successful person will start in September 2026. This is an exciting time to join the McDonald's Finance Graduate Scheme.  The role is a structured, broad three-year rotational scheme specifically crafted for final year undergraduates looking to join a robust Finance team. As part of the scheme, McDonald’s will fund your accounting qualification and you will complete up to 16 exams over a 3-year period, in order to gain accreditation to a chartered accounting body of your choice (ACA/ACCA/CIMA).

What will my role be?

The scheme will provide continuous rotational opportunities and is an outstanding opportunity for an aspirational graduate to gain experience across a number of the following areas:

Local Accounting Operations – As part of the LAO team you will ensure the accurate accounting of the financials whilst building your knowledge and understanding of the financial operations of the business. You will work closely with our third party and gain insight into financial reporting, supporting your professional qualification.

Field Finance – As part of the Field Finance team you will  work closely with our community of Franchisees to drive the business' long-term strategy, support growth and ensure the future financial strength of the business. You will partner with our Director’s of Franchising, working closely to ensure that we understand the financial position of each of our franchisees and where we play a role in influencing this.

Tax - As part of the Tax team, you will play a supporting role in ensuring the business meets all of its tax compliance obligations while maintaining strong governance and accuracy across all filings. You will also support the organisation through tax advisory, providing insight on emerging legislation, assessing the impact of business decisions, and helping teams navigate complex tax matters to enable informed, strategic outcomes.

FP&A - You will help drive business growth and strengthen the McDonald's brand by developing strategic growth drivers and proactively managing Franchisee sentiment. In particular, the team supports the development of long-term pricing, delivery, pay and supply chain strategies in partnership with various internal and external stakeholders.

Real Estate Finance – You will business partner primarily with our Property department; working together to ensure our new restaurant pipeline is profitable, and ensuring that we obtain optimal real estate deals, to secure the future of sites where we want to trade.

Upon completion of the scheme there are significant opportunities within the Finance team to grow in to a range of increasingly strategic and senior leadership roles. The scheme offers an extraordinary start to a career within Finance, with previous trainees who have finished the scheme going on to hold senior management positions across the business, such as CFO, Finance Director, VP of Operations, Delivery Director and Head of Commercial Finance.

 What Team will I be a part?

The new Finance Graduate will rotate through roles in our Head Office in East Finchley, North London where they will complete their training and qualify as a chartered accountant.

What background do I need to have?

We are looking for a results-oriented, self-motivated and hardworking graduate to join our fast-paced Finance team. The successful candidate will have graduated, or is expecting to graduate with a 2:1, and should expect to get going quickly! The candidate should have at least 3 Bs (or equivalent UCAS Points) at A-Level and a passion for Finance.

To apply:

Please submit your CV with a cover letter which answers the following question:

“With sustained inflation continuing to put pressure on both consumers and restaurants, what strategies could McDonald’s implement to enhance customer value, drive guest counts, and deliver strong commercial performance?”

Please ensure all submissions are included on the same document.

Benefits include:

• Competitive Graduate Salary with London living allowance
• Fully provided for CIMA/ ACCA/ ACA training and up to 20 days' study leave per year
• 28 days' Annual Leave per year, plus bank holidays
• 2 additional days of annual leave, upon completion of three years of service
• Private Health Insurance
• ‘Dress for your day’ Casual attire when working in our offices
• Plus discounts at major UK retailers
• Free lunch every day

Company Vision and Culture…

Our Global vision is to build a better McDonald’s and in the UK and Ireland we are working hard to be the UK & Irelands best-loved restaurant company.

McDonald’s is defined by its culture. Our culture shapes and informs everything we think and everything we do. Our culture influences the way we interact with each other, and how we interact with customers, franchisees and suppliers. Our culture motivates and inspires us to attract and retain great talent, creating positive, energising, exceptional working environment for us all.

Our values drive our culture and shape our beliefs, our priorities and our actions. They influence the decisions we make, how we treat one another and how we show up as a brand to the world.

Serve: We put our customers and our people first
Inclusion: We open our doors to everyone
Integrity: We do the right thing
Community: We are good neighbours
Family: We get better together

At McDonald’s we are People from all Walks of Life... 

“At McDonald’s, we are people from all walks of life…

People are at the heart of everything we do and they make the McDonald’s experience. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture that means people can be their best authentic self in our restaurants and offices, which helps us to better serve our customers.

We have a strong heritage of diversity and representation within our communities, which we are proud of. The diversity of our people, customers, Franchisees and suppliers give us strength.

We do not tolerate inequality, injustice or discrimination of any kind.  These are hugely important issues and a brand with our reach and relevance means we have a very meaningful role to play.

We also recognise our responsibility as a large employer to continue being active in our communities, helping to develop skills and drive aspirations that will help people to be more aware of the world of work and more successful within it, whether with McDonald’s or elsewhere.”