CFM Associate Ireland Review

I work as a Commercial Finance Management Intern at Samsung Electronics, supporting the Irish Commercial Finance team with reporting, customer promotions, and deal management. On a day-to-day basis, I use internal systems and Excel to process promotional funding requests, issue deal sheets, support month-end reporting, and ensure financial data and documentation are accurate. The role also involves working closely with sales, product, and claims teams to support commercial activities across the Irish market.

Yes, I was given a good level of responsibility throughout my placement. As I became more familiar with the role, I was trusted to manage key processes independently, including processing promotional funding requests, issuing deal sheets, supporting month-end reporting, and maintaining financial records. I was also responsible for communicating with internal stakeholders, resolving queries, and ensuring tasks were completed accurately and on time. Working within a small Commercial Finance team meant that my contributions had a direct impact on day-to-day operations, allowing me to take ownership of tasks and develop confidence in a professional environment.

Yes, I developed a range of both technical and professional skills during my placement. I improved my proficiency in Microsoft Excel, financial reporting, and working with internal business systems, while also gaining a stronger understanding of commercial finance processes. In addition, I developed key transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and attention to detail. Working in a fast-paced corporate environment also helped me become more confident, organised, and capable of managing responsibilities independently.

I received a high level of support throughout my placement. I had biweekly check-ins with my manager to discuss my progress, receive feedback, and address any questions or challenges. As I worked within a small team, my colleagues were very approachable and always willing to provide guidance when needed. This supportive environment made it easier to learn new processes, build confidence, and gradually take on more responsibility throughout the placement.

The atmosphere in the Ireland office was very friendly and relaxed, with colleagues generally getting on well and creating a supportive working environment. There was a strong sense of teamwork and openness across the office, which made it easy to integrate into the team. However, at times the fast-paced nature of the business and commercial deadlines could create a more pressured environment, particularly during busy periods such as month-end or major promotional campaigns.

I really enjoyed my placement overall. I gained valuable hands-on experience in a commercial finance role and developed both technically and professionally throughout the year. I particularly enjoyed working with different teams, getting exposure to real business processes, and seeing how my work contributed to wider commercial decisions. While the role could be fast-paced and demanding at times, especially during month-end and peak promotional periods, I found this helped me develop resilience, confidence, and stronger time management skills.

Yes