At a Glance
- Tasks: Own finance processes, reporting, and budgeting while driving improvements in a fast-growing startup.
- Company: Join Isla Health, a dynamic health-tech startup transforming healthcare across the UK and beyond.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, share options, and a wellbeing allowance.
- Other info: Be part of a small, ambitious team with significant ownership and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a rapidly growing company and shape the future of finance operations.
- Qualifications: Recently qualified ACA or ACCA accountant with strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
This is a full time role for 40 contracted hours per week.
Salary: £46,000 - £52,000
Location: We are a hybrid team, based throughout the UK. We offer the flexibility to work outside of the UK up to 90 days per year, however you must be able to work and live permanently within the UK, and travel to London at least 4 times a year for team meeting sessions and additionally as needed.
We're looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Finance Manager to join Isla's Operations team and take real ownership of our finance function as we scale. We're particularly interested in someone who has recently qualified as an ACA or ACCA accountant, having trained within a Top 10 accountancy firm, and is ready to make the move into a fast‑growing company. This is an opportunity to move beyond reporting on a business and start shaping one.
Isla is growing quickly, which means there's a lot to build. You'll own our day‑to‑day finance activities, while also challenging how we work, solving problems at their root, automating what shouldn't be manual and building the financial processes and insights we need for our next stage of growth. We're looking for someone analytical, commercially sharp and relentlessly curious - someone who enjoys getting into the detail, asks great questions and wants their work to directly influence the decisions we make. You'll have significant ownership and exposure from day one, with the opportunity to grow your role quickly as Isla scales.
Who we are: Isla Health is a venture‑backed health‑tech startup, supporting our partners across the UK, EU and internationally beyond this. We have built a new category of healthcare technology which we refer to as the Digital Pathway Platform (DPP). Founded in 2019, we now support 25% of NHS Trusts and see 2 million submissions on the platform every year. As a company we are all laser focused on enabling a scalable model of care which empowers healthcare staff and improves patient outcomes.
The DPP supports this by setting up digital pathways which are remote‑first and asynchronous. As pathways harness sophisticated automation, clinical algorithms and intelligent cohorting, patients always take the optimised route through their pathway, thereby delivering a step change in clinical productivity.
The Team: You'll be a part of our Operations team, reporting into our Finance Lead. Operations sits at the heart of Isla. We help the business scale by creating efficient processes, supporting our people, maintaining strong financial and operational controls and ensuring the day‑to‑day running of the company is smooth and effective. You'll need to understand what's happening across the company, from hiring plans and team budgets to new client contracts, renewals and supplier spend, and make sure this is reflected accurately in our financial reporting and forecasts. This role offers significant exposure across the company and the opportunity to develop rapidly as Isla continues to grow.
Role Overview: Over the next 12 months, your responsibilities will include:
- Financial operations & reporting: Own our core finance processes across the UK and Irish entities, including bookkeeping, accounts payable and receivable, expenses and reconciliations. Own the month‑end close and prepare monthly management accounts and supporting analysis for review by our Finance Lead. Prepare journals, accruals, prepayments and balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies. Own our UK and Irish payroll processes, including payroll journals, pensions and associated reconciliations. Support year‑end accounts, audit preparation, VAT, corporation tax and other statutory requirements.
- Budgeting & financial analysis: Play a key role in budgeting, forecasting and cash‑flow management, giving the business a clear view of our financial position as we grow. Own budget‑versus‑actual reporting and provide useful analysis of company and team spend. Maintain accurate financial forecasts across hiring, revenue, client payments, renewals and other key commitments. Work closely with teams across Isla to understand what's driving the numbers and turn financial data into useful insight for decision‑making.
- Systems & process improvement: Identify and implement improvements that make our finance processes more accurate, efficient and scalable. Improve how we use our existing systems and data, reducing unnecessary manual work and strengthening the quality of our financial information. Build clear processes, controls and documentation so our finance operations are robust and don't depend on knowledge sitting with one person. Use automation and AI intelligently to improve how we work, while maintaining strong financial controls and appropriate human review.
You’ll be successful in this role if you have:
- Recently qualified as an ACA or ACCA accountant, having trained within a Top 10 accountancy firm.
- Good technical grounding in UK GAAP and statutory financial reporting, combined with an understanding of how internal management accounts differ from external financials.
- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills - you can get into the detail, make sense of complex information and identify what actually matters.
- Advanced Google Sheets skills - you’re comfortable building complex formulas, cross‑referencing data across multiple sheets and sources, and creating reliable financial models and reporting.
- High attention to detail and strong financial judgement, with the confidence to investigate and resolve discrepancies rather than simply flagging them.
- A proactive, high‑ownership mindset - you spot problems, take responsibility for solving them and see things through to completion.
- Commercial curiosity and an interest in understanding how the wider business operates, not just the finance function.
- Genuine motivation to work in a fast‑growing startup or scale‑up where you'll have broad ownership and the opportunity to build and improve how things are done.
- Curiosity about technology, automation and AI and how these can make finance operations more effective.
Nice to have:
- Experience working with technology, SaaS or fast‑growing businesses during your time in practice.
- Exposure to management accounts, budgeting, forecasting or cash‑flow modelling.
- Experience with Irish finance operations or multiple legal entities.
- Experience with Xero.
- Exposure to R&D tax credits.
You’ll join a small, ambitious team where you’ll have real ownership from day one. This is a role for someone who enjoys variety, loves solving problems and wants to play an important part in scaling a company that's transforming healthcare. As Isla grows, you’ll have the opportunity to grow with us, taking on increasingly strategic responsibilities and helping shape how the business operates.
You’ll also benefit from all of our perks:
- Work where you do your best work either from home or at our office in 131 Finsbury Pavement (Moorgate).
- Share in our success with EMI share options.
- Flexible working times.
- Work abroad for up to 90 days per year.
- 25 days annual leave on top of bank holidays. Plus, take your birthday off and another significant day off of your choice.
- Quarterly meal on us enjoy up to £75 to treat friends or family.
- Wellbeing allowance (£50 per month for gym membership/wellbeing activities) or private medical insurance.
- Salary sacrifice pension plus access to Mintago for retail discounts, financial coaching, childcare vouchers, virtual GP and more.
- Enhanced parental leave to support your family when it matters most.
- Quarterly team socials.
- An annual learning budget to support your growth.
- Work with purpose - you'll be delivering social impact through improved patient healthcare.
- Join at an exciting stage - we're a well‑funded, rapidly growing health tech company tackling a global challenge.
- Help shape the future of Isla - your ideas won't disappear into layers of management. You'll have real ownership, real impact, and help define how we grow the business.
What is the hiring process for this role at Isla? Interviewing with us for the role will be split into 5 stages:
- A video submission: Successful applicants will be invited to send a short elevator pitch. We want to see the person behind the CV!
- A screening interview with someone from our People Ops team - 15 minutes.
- An interview with our Finance Lead - 30 minutes.
- Final interview with one of our Co‑founders - 30 minutes.
Finance Manager employer: Isla
Isla Health is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to shape financial processes while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working in the UK. Join us to be part of a team that values your expertise and supports your professional development in a meaningful way.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Isla. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Isla.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Isla's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Isla
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Isla.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Isla will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Isla employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.