Trainee Credit Underwriter – Graduate

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time (Monday-Friday 8.45am to 5.15pm) Salary: £27k to £30k per annum, dependent on experience

Location:

Office based, Tonbridge,Kent
Department:
Credit Risk/ Underwriting

Reports To:

Head of Credit

This graduate-level, office-based role is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to begin their career in the asset finance sector. You will receive comprehensive, structured training from our experienced risk team, gaining hands-on experience in assessing business credit, understanding financial information, and valuing assets. This role is ideal for ambitious graduates who are eager to develop technical skills and build a long-term career within credit risk and underwriting.

Develop financial analysis skills:
Learn to read and interpret corporate balance sheets, profit & loss accounts, and bank statements

Assess credit risk:
Support the evaluation of businesses to determine their suitability for finance

Evaluate hard assets:
Build an understanding of how assets retain value over the finance term

Run credit searches:
Use commercial credit bureaus under supervision to gather key business insights

Support deal structuring:
Assist in preparing hire purchase and finance lease agreements

Collaborate internally:
Work closely with colleagues across credit, sales teams, and broker channels

Continuous learning:
Actively engage with training and development to build technical underwriting knowledge

Graduate Mindset: A recent graduate (or equivalent) with a strong interest in finance, business, or economics

Career Motivation: A clear desire to build a long-term career in business finance or credit risk

Numeracy:
Strong numerical and analytical ability, comfortable working with data and percentages

Attention to Detail:
High level of accuracy when reviewing documentation and financial information

Eagerness to Learn:
Demonstrates curiosity and a proactive approach to developing new skills

Communication:
Clear and professional verbal and written communication

Work Ethic:
Positive attitude with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment

Analytical Thinking:
Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and support risk-based decision making

Problem Solving:
Able to think logically and work through challenges with practical solutions

Commercial Awareness:
Understanding of how businesses operate, with an interest in finance and lending

Organisation & Time Management:
Ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and handle multiple tasks

IT & Systems

Skills:

Confident in Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and comfortable learning new systems

Interpersonal

Skills:

Ability to build relationships with colleagues, brokers, and stakeholders

Adaptability & Resilience:
Willingness to learn, take feedback, and perform in a dynamic environment

Integrity & Professionalism:
Handles sensitive information responsibly and demonstrates sound judgement

Proactive Approach:
Takes initiative, asks questions, and seeks opportunities to improve understanding

Experience

Required:

No prior experience required - full training and ongoing development provided

Graduate Development:
Structured training programme with clear progression opportunities within credit risk and underwriting

Ideal Backgrounds:
Suitable for graduates in finance, business, economics, maths, or related disciplines, as well as those with strong analytical skills from other degree subjects

Compass Business Finance is an independent company specialising in the provision of asset-based finance to UK Industry. Established in 2005, Compass continue to see year-on-year growth through their innovative and relational approach to the market. In addition to their own loan book, Compass have broking lines with several other funders and work with the British Business Bank to deliver Government funding schemes where accreditation has been awarded.

Compass Business Finance is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of background, including but not limited to age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Any personal data provided during the recruitment process will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Compass is an independent finance company with an innovative and relational approach to the market.

Find out more and meet our team.