The role We’re looking for a Qualified Accountant / Auditor to provide a 12-month parental leave cover at a company where finance and insurance are at the heart of the product. The Interim Financial Controller will report to the Head of Finance & Credit and be responsible for the annual financial accounts, month end close process and for collating, processing and reporting on all types of finance data across our UK entity. Who are you? You have a great eye for detail and you care about the quality of work you deliver. You have high ownership and can collaborate with other parts of the business to get what you need and you get it done. You are a proactive problem solver, ready to address unexpected challenges and are comfortable stepping into new systems and processes. You are excited to work in a fast-paced startup environment. You are organised and deadline driven. What you will do Partner with the Financial Controller to ensure a smooth handover and effective knowledge transfer Collaborate with stakeholders across Operations, Product, and Marketing to maintain strong financial alignment during the transition Manage external accountants to ensure accurate and timely reporting Own the monthly close process including bookkeeping, management accounts, and reconciliations Lead audit preparation and respond to auditor queries Analyze opex and budget variances monthly, surfacing trends and risks Deliver insights into company performance to support strategic decision-making Oversee intercompany transactions and maintain accurate reconciliations Manage accounts payable and receivable processes with precision Ensure FCA compliance and assist with regulatory filings as needed Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and scalability What we are looking for: Deep technical accounting expertise and comfort navigating complex financials A track record of high-quality delivery under pressure Sharp analytical skills: able to dig into the details and communicate what really matters A solid understanding of how fintech businesses operate and scale Fully qualified: ACCA / ACA / CIMA / ICAEW Confident working in Xero and managing audit processes Proven experience with group consolidations Familiarity with US GAAP (a plus) Exposure to financial products like lending or insurance (a plus) What’s on offer We’re offering a salary range of £65,000–£75,000, depending on experience and alignment with the role. Here at Gaia, our employees are the foundation of our success. We believe it's super important that you are happy, healthy, and motivated. As such, on top of a competitive market bench-marked salary, we offer private healthcare, fertility support and other benefits. Additionally, we offer all new hires a set up budget in addition to an annual personal development budget to build your skills, knowledge, and potential. We’re working hard on our reward and recognition framework to make sure that those who are excelling above and beyond get what they deserve.