In this article, Bochen LIU (Queen’s Smith School of Business, BCom 2023–2027; ESSEC BBA Exchange Program, Fall 2025) shares his professional experience as a Financial Intern at the Agricultural Bank of China.
About the company
The Agricultural Bank of China is one of China’s “Big Four” commercial banks, serving hundreds of millions of customers across retail, corporate, and rural banking segments. With thousands of branches nationwide, ABC plays a major role in financing agricultural development, supporting SMEs, and delivering a wide range of financial services, including deposits, loans, wealth management products, and payment solutions.
Operating at this scale requires robust internal processes such as standardized reporting, regulatory compliance, risk management, and precise handling of customer information. The finance and operations teams ensure that front-line activities align with corporate strategy and risk guidelines, making accuracy and efficiency essential qualities in daily operations.
Logo of the Agricultural Bank of China.
Source: the company.
I worked within the branch environment responsible for financial reporting, operational risk checks, client data processing, and financial product monitoring. This unit coordinated information from multiple departments to prepare performance reports, verify customer records for compliance purposes, and support analysis of retail and corporate banking products. Its role was to ensure that operational data remained accurate, standardized, and available for supervisors, thereby supporting internal control, risk monitoring, and informed managerial decision-making across the branch.
My internship
As a student from Queen’s Smith School of Business participating in the ESSEC BBA Exchange Program, I had the opportunity to join the Agricultural Bank of China as a Financial Intern in Beijing from 2023 to 2024. This experience exposed me to financial operations, reporting workflows, client data management, and retail product analysis within one of China’s largest state-owned commercial banks.
This internship allowed me to witness firsthand how financial operations are supported by structured information flows. Financial reporting and client data processing are not merely administrative tasks; they form the backbone of internal control systems, enabling managers to make timely and informed decisions across the bank’s branches and business units.
My missions
My missions ranged from streamlining weekly management reporting—reducing turnaround time and improving decision-making efficiency—to processing large volumes of client records for daily risk assessment, and analyzing a variety of financial products across retail and corporate banking.
A core responsibility of my role was assisting with weekly management reporting for the branch. I collected financial and operational data from multiple departments, standardized the format, verified accuracy, and prepared consolidated reports for supervisors. By automating portions of the Excel templates and cleaning data more efficiently, I helped reduce the report turnaround time by approximately 20%. This improvement enabled managers to make decisions more quickly and with clearer visibility on the branch’s performance trends.
I also supported the bank’s daily operational risk assessment by processing and verifying large volumes of client records. This included reviewing transaction histories, updating customer information, and ensuring that all files met regulatory and internal compliance requirements. Handling hundreds of records demanded accuracy, confidentiality, and discipline, as small errors could lead to compliance discrepancies or delays during internal audits.
In addition to reporting and operations, I conducted research on over ten retail and corporate financial products, including personal loans, SME credit lines, savings instruments, and investment-linked products. By comparing product structures, pricing, and customer segments, I gained insight into how banks differentiate offerings and balance profitability with client needs.
Required skills and knowledge
This internship required both technical and interpersonal skills. On the technical side, I worked extensively with Excel to automate report templates, validate performance indicators, and clean datasets efficiently. I strengthened my understanding of banking products, compliance procedures, and risk management systems.
Equally important were soft skills such as attention to detail, time management, communication, and reliability. Weekly reporting deadlines demanded discipline, while client data processing required precision and structured thinking to avoid compliance-related issues. Through these responsibilities, I developed habits that are essential for a career in finance.
What I learned
This experience provided me with a realistic understanding of operational finance inside a major commercial bank. First, I learned the importance of accuracy. Whether preparing reports or updating client files, even small inconsistencies could affect decision-making or regulatory compliance. This taught me to double-check all figures and maintain clear documentation.
Second, I discovered how reporting frameworks support managerial decision-making. Weekly performance reports acted as diagnostic control systems that helped managers assess branch performance, track deviations, and prioritize resources.
Third, I gained confidence in data processing and product analysis. Working through real client files and financial products strengthened my understanding of commercial banking operations and the financial mechanisms supporting customer services. Finally, this experience enhanced my interest in finance and provided a solid foundation for future roles in financial analysis, banking, or corporate finance.
Financial concepts related to my internship
I present below three financial concepts related to my internship: management reporting, operational risk assessment, and financial product analysis. These concepts illustrate the connection between my daily tasks and broader financial management practices.
Management reporting
Management reporting is a core component of internal management control. At ABC, weekly reports enabled supervisors to track metrics such as loan growth, customer acquisition, overdue accounts, and product sales. By optimizing reporting workflows, I contributed to more efficient decision-making and improved information flow within the branch.
Operational risk assessment
Operational risk includes failures in processes, systems, or human error. My work processing client data reflected how banks mitigate this risk through documentation checks, standardized records, and compliance verification. Understanding operational risk is essential for evaluating the stability and effectiveness of financial institutions.
Financial product analysis
Financial product analysis involves comparing product structures, pricing mechanisms, customer segments, and risk-return characteristics. Researching retail and corporate banking products helped me understand how banks refine pricing strategies, innovate offerings, and position themselves competitively while respecting regulatory constraints.
Why should I be interested in this post?
This post provides a realistic view of a financial internship inside a major commercial bank. Students interested in banking, corporate finance, or financial analysis can gain insight into the operational foundation supporting financial institutions.
The experience highlights the value of structured reporting, data accuracy, and understanding financial products—skills that form the backbone of careers in finance, analytics, and investment management.
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Useful resources
Agricultural Bank of China official website
Anthony, R. N., & Govindarajan, V. (2007). Management Control Systems (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Horngren, C. T., Datar, S. M., & Rajan, M. (2015). Cost Accounting: A Managerial Emphasis (15th ed.). Pearson.
Drury, C. (2018). Management and Cost Accounting (10th ed.).
About the author
The article was written in February 2026 by Bochen LIU (Queen’s Smith School of Business, BCom 2023–2027; ESSEC BBA Exchange Program, Fall 2025).
▶ Discover all posts by Bochen LIU