At a Glance
- Tasks: Own finance operations, manage reconciliations, and drive automation in a fast-growing startup.
- Company: Join Nous, an innovative AI-driven company transforming household finances.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, share options, flexible remote work, and 33 days paid holiday.
- Other info: Collaborative office environment with regular social events and a focus on personal growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a high-performance team making a real impact in the fintech space.
- Qualifications: 5+ years finance experience, analytical mindset, and a passion for accounting.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About Nous
Nous is an AI agent that takes some of the load of life; making good decisions and acting for our users in areas where they’re not the experts or aren’t paying enough attention. We've started with optimising bills, where we're already saving households thousands, and are now expanding into new categories.
We’re growing fast, and it's working. 20x YoY growth makes us one of the fastest scaling startups in the UK. And NPS of +70 (higher than Apple) shows that our users love it.
We've just launched two more novel new products: Insurance and Subscription management. It would be easy to look at this and think we've got it all figured out. But we've only scratched the surface; our ambitions are SO much higher.
We’re building a new category of product which is hard, so we’ve stacked the deck in our favour: an experienced founding team with multiple exits, and investors including the founders of Monzo, Wise, Booking.com, lastminute.com, Onfido, Funding Circle, Tide, Habito and more.
Still - the problems we’re solving are hard. To have REAL impact, agents need to break out of the sandbox and take action in the real world where there are consequences.
About the role
This is a rare opportunity for exceptional mid-career talent to learn under an outstanding Head of Finance inside one of the UK's fastest-growing consumer-tech businesses. It's deliberately hands-on and technical. You'll own the day-to-day engine room of finance, from high-volume reconciliations through to month-end, while helping to design the controls, systems and automation that let Nous scale with near-zero defects.
This is not a routine finance role. Because of the innovative nature of our business model, many of the problems you'll face require confident first-principles thinking rather than a ready-made playbook. It's a genuine controller-track opportunity: get this right and the path to Financial Controller and beyond is clear.
Key responsibilities
- Own the high-volume reconciliations that sit at the heart of the business, ensuring customer, supplier and provider transactions reconcile cleanly and accurately as customers move between providers.
- Manage the invoicing cycle across the supplier and provider base, keeping it accurate, timely and well controlled.
- Take ownership of finance operations end to end, including customer payments, provider payouts, supplier fees and other regular payments.
- Build automation into finance workflows using modern data and AI tooling, driving speed, accuracy and scale as volumes grow.
- Maintain consistent, up-to-date and accurate financial records — being the go-to person on the historical financial source of truth, enabling clear visibility into performance.
- Lead the month-end close and prepare timely, accurate management accounts the leadership team can rely on.
- Design and embed financial controls across payments, approvals and vendor management, building a robust control environment from the ground up.
- Prepare the business for, and help lead it through, its first external audit.
- Partner with engineering, product and go-to-market teams to design low-touch, automated finance processes, particularly around reconciliation and data capture.
- Provide the finance foundations that support Nous's geographic and product expansion.
- Support the Head of Finance on investor reporting and the reporting infrastructure that underpins it.
About you
We expect strong candidates to come from one of two backgrounds:
- Practice first-movers. Exceptional talent making a first move from practice — ideally Big 4 (Audit, CFO Advisory or equivalent), or experience from another firm auditing high-growth tech businesses — who want to move into a high-calibre, hands-on industry role.
- Industry high-performers. High-calibre candidates already in industry who want a controller-track role in a rapidly growing company.
Whichever route you come from, you'll have around five years or more of experience and a genuine track record of high performance. You're likely to have a STEM or otherwise analytical background or degree. Above all, you genuinely love accounting — not as a means to an end, but as a craft you find satisfying and want to master.
You're high-agency and thrive in a fast-moving, high-bar, technical environment. You're comfortable in the detail, energised by problems that don't yet have a playbook, take pride in building well-run processes, and motivated by our mission to make life fairer for households. You're tech-savvy — the sort of person already curious about, and comfortable using, data and AI tooling in your own work.
Essential experience
- Around 5 years or more of relevant finance experience, from practice (Big 4, audit or advisory) or a strong industry background.
- A clear, demonstrable history of high performance — academic, professional or both.
- A STEM or analytical background or degree, and a genuinely analytical mind.
- A real love of accounting, and comfort being hands-on in the detail of reconciliations, invoicing and month-end.
- High agency and first-principles problem-solving in fast-changing environments.
- Qualified (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with at least 2–3 years PQE, or equivalent.
- Hands-on familiarity with databases and data tooling — for example Power BI, Looker, Omni, Amplitude or Tableau. Comfortable using modern data tooling beyond Excel and traditional accounting systems like Xero or NetSuite.
Desirable experience
- Active use of AI tools in day-to-day work, for example Claude Code or similar.
- Exposure to high-volume, transactional businesses such as marketplaces, fintech, energy or consumer technology.
- Experience building or improving finance processes in partnership with product or engineering teams.
- Exposure to a first audit, or to building controls in a scaling business.
Remuneration and benefits
Compelling packages, including share options with life-changing upside. We’ve raised enough money to pay real salaries. We're building something great together and we all share in the upside. If we win, we win together.
An environment where you can do your best work:
- A great office set up for lots of collaborative working.
- The equipment / setup / training you need to do your best work.
- A high-context environment with lots of exposure to the big decisions.
- Flexibility around remote work.
- Very good coffee.
- A well-stocked kitchen.
- Informal social every week, something bigger every month, plus a set-piece event in the summer and again at Christmas.
- 33 days paid holidays (including bank holidays).
- Health and dental cash plans, including an employee assistance programme.
- Travel benefits, including the cycle-to-work scheme and season ticket loans.
Nous has an office-first culture. That means we encourage in-person working, and most people do work from the office in Farringdon most of the time. We do a lot of brainstorming, problem-solving and interaction within the team and presence makes this more effective.
The environment
Most importantly, this is a high-performance, high-agency and high-trust technical environment. Nous is intentionally lean and AI-native — not just in its product but as a company. Everyone is expected to use AI to its full potential, whether that's debugging a system, streamlining a workflow or improving how customers are served.
We're dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace, and we actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
Finance Manager employer: Nous
At Nous, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Located in Farringdon, our office-first environment encourages teamwork and creativity, while offering generous benefits such as meaningful share options, 33 days of paid holidays, and a well-stocked kitchen to keep you energised. With ample opportunities for personal and professional growth, including mentorship and the chance to lead impactful projects, you'll find a rewarding career path that aligns with your passion for product engineering.
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 Nous. 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 Nous.
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 Nous'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 Nous
✨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 Nous.
✨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 Nous 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 Nous 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.