Starting out in Corporate Finance: A graduate's honest perspective

Entering corporate finance (CF) as a graduate can feel both exciting and intimidating in equal measure. I’m writing this as someone right at the beginning of her career, in my first professional role, learning, occasionally feeling overwhelmed, but genuinely enjoying the challenge.

Why corporate finance?

Corporate finance appealed to me because it sits at the heart of how businesses grow, evolve, and make decisions. It offers a fast‑paced and intellectually demanding environment, but in CF you don’t just analyse the numbers in isolation. You understand how the company operates, what drives performance, where value is created, and how decisions today shape a business’s future.

My personal interests lie in investment, growth, and mergers & acquisitions (M&A), so this exposure was a huge factor in my decision. M&A interests me because of its ability to fundamentally reshape industries and open strategic opportunities for companies. Even as a junior, being involved in that process, supporting businesses through pivotal moments is incredibly motivating.

At this point, it’s worth identifying what truly interests you about CF, not what the internet, family, or friends suggest should interest you. That said, I didn’t arrive at this decision without doubts. I asked myself the same questions many graduates do: Is this really for me? Am I prepared? What convinced me was realising that CF isn’t all finance bros, it’s about representation and substance. 

As a woman in finance, representation matters. Seeing more admirable women entering and progressing in this industry made me believe there was space for me too and I wanted to be part of that change.

My graduate assessment experience

Let’s talk assessment days. Navigating assessment centres and interviews is arguable the most stressful thing to experience as a graduate. If you’ve been to one (or are preparing for one), you’ll know they are nerve racking.  

I completely understand how overwhelming they feel. There’s so much going on in your head at once. Is a blue suit too casual? Is black too formal? Am I speaking too much? Not enough? It’s very easy to overthink every single detail. Mainly because applying for roles in the finance industry can feel competitive, that’s because it is, but there are ways to stand out.

What stood out to me about the Heligan process was that it wasn’t just about technical knowledge. Yes, there was an expectation of a solid foundation in corporate finance, but there was also a strong focus on commercial awareness. They want to understand how you think, how you communicate, how you work with others, and how you carry yourself around both peers and senior staff. Competence matters for sure, but so does mindset.

My top tips

Here are my top tips: 

1. Cliché but, Be yourself! They’re hiring you, not a perfectly rehearsed character. Let your natural personality come through, especially in group exercises and interviews. Communication is key, and pretending to be someone else is exhausting anyway -no one can keep that up forever. 
2. Make sure you’re comfortable with the technical basics. You’re not expected to know everything, but a strong foundation shows commitment and good understanding.
3. Be clear on your ‘why’. Really think about why you want to work in corporate finance and why you want to work for Heligan. And remember, no one wants to read a CV or listen to an answer that has been copied from ChatGPT. Standing out means being genuine, specific, and thoughtful about your motivations.
4. Confidence without arrogance is especially important and as women, we sometimes underestimate ourselves. Own your space, speak up, and trust that you’ve earned your seat at the table.

One key lesson I learned is that honesty beats perfection. In an interview, I was asked a technical question I’d never seen before, and by talking through my thinking, I showed that the process mattered more than the “right” answer.

Finally, do not be discouraged if you are not offered the position. Treat every assessment centre or interview as valuable experience and ask the recruiter for feedback. You can then work on specific areas and come back stronger for the next opportunity.

Joining Heligan: The first few months

From day one, Heligan exposed me to a wide range of work: live projects, deal support, research, networking opportunities- and yes, some of the slightly less exciting tasks too. But you can’t have the interesting work without the groundwork that supports it (unfortunately no one escapes that part). Heligan also allows you to develop you own personal interests in CF whilst on the job, as broader sector knowledge can only be a good thing. 

The people I work with are incredibly hardworking, driven, and supportive. Culture matters more than you realise when you’re part of a team, and being surrounded by people who want you to succeed makes a huge difference.

Ongoing support and mentorship have been key. Asking questions is encouraged, learning is constant, and no one expects you to know everything on day one or even month four.

ACA: what to expect

Starting the ACA qualification is a big shift from university, but nothing you can’t prepare yourself for. Balancing a full‑time role with ACA studies can be challenging but it’s absolutely doable.

The ACA is a highly respected qualification that provides an exceptional technical foundation, develops commercial judgement, and opens doors across finance and business more broadly. At Heligan, the support structure around ACA training has made a real difference. Having internal and external mentorship, guidance, and understanding around balancing exams with work is crucial. 

What can you realistically expect? Hard work, long hours at times and moments where revision becomes exhausting, but by breaking revision into bite‑sized chunks makes it feel far more manageable. 

It’s important to be realistic. Some evenings you’ll revise; other nights you’ll swap flashcards for Netflix and that’s okay. What matters most is building consistent, sustainable habits so you don’t burn out. That said, the ACA is extremely rewarding, strengthens your mindset, and is certainly worth it in the long run.

Working at Heligan

One of the things I value most about working at Heligan is the encouragement to grow – both professionally and personally. You’re supported in developing areas you’re genuinely passionate about, and you’re encouraged to get involved wherever possible, whether that’s day‑to‑day tasks or more impactful initiatives. 

It’s an environment where you’re trusted, challenged, and supported to learn quickly. The pace and level of responsibility given so early on are encouraging and reflect genuine belief in your capabilities. There’s a lot of jargon to pick up and no two days are the same, but that’s exactly what has made my first few months so enjoyable.

For anyone at the start of their career, it’s an excellent place to build a strong foundation, join an exciting and growing team, and develop with confidence. Real growth comes from showing up, asking questions, and learning as you go.