Service Charge Accountant (hybrid)

I’m currently recruiting on behalf of a well-established property management business that is looking to appoint a Service Charge Accountant to join its Client Finance team.   This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Service Charge Accountant / Client Accountant looking for a new position within a professional property management environment, with responsibility for a varied residential portfolio. The Role   The successful candidate will be responsible for the accurate, timely and transparent financial management of an allocated portfolio of residential blocks, estates and mixed-use developments. You will work closely with Property Managers, clients, leaseholders and external accountants, covering the full service charge accounting cycle from budgeting and billing through to reconciliations, year-end accounts and financial reporting.   Package

• £30,000–£38,000 per annum, depending on skills, knowledge and experience
• Hybrid working
• Professional development opportunities
• Five weeks' holiday
• Birthday off
• Four wellbeing days per year
• Employee assistance and wellbeing programmes
• Company-provided equipment for hybrid working
• Free parking at the office

Key Responsibilities

• Take day-to-day financial ownership of an allocated portfolio of blocks, estates and mixed-use developments.
• Prepare and review annual service charge and estate charge budgets.
• Prepare cashflow forecasts and contribute to longer-term forecasting, including reserve or sinking fund plans where applicable.
• Interpret leases, management agreements and client instructions to determine recoverability, apportionments and accounting requirements.
• Prepare and check periodic demands for service charges, estate charges, ground rent and other property-related charges.
• Review utilities, insurance and supplier costs and ensure appropriate recharges to leaseholders.
• Monitor income, arrears, commitments and expenditure against budget.
• Prepare complete and accurate service charge accounts and supporting working papers.
• Reconcile income, expenditure, accruals, prepayments, creditors, debtors and reserve or sinking funds.
• Liaise with external accountants and auditors, providing supporting information and resolving queries through to sign-off.
• Provide regular reporting on budget performance, cashflow, arrears, reserve funds and year-end progress.
• Respond to client, leaseholder and colleague queries, taking ownership of complex service charge queries through to resolution.
• Attend client meetings when required to present budgets, accounts, forecasts and financial information.
• Work closely with Property Managers around major works, qualifying works, long-term agreements and building safety expenditure.
• Maintain accurate records and support audits, client money reviews, complaints, disputes and tribunal-related enquiries.
• Maintain accurate data within property accounting systems and contribute to process improvements and automation.
• Share knowledge across the Client Finance and Property Management teams and provide guidance and quality checks where appropriate.

About You The ideal candidate will have:

• At least one year's experience in residential service charge accounting or client finance, together with practical accounting experience.
• Experience preparing service charge budgets, cashflow forecasts, year-end accounts and supporting working papers.
• Strong knowledge of accruals, prepayments, fund accounting, reconciliations and the treatment of surpluses and deficits.
• The ability to interpret leases and translate financial provisions into accurate budgets, demands, apportionments and accounts.
• A working knowledge of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, including service charge information rights, Section 20 consultation and the 18-month rule.
• Knowledge of current RICS residential management and client money requirements.
• Strong Excel and Microsoft 365 skills.
• Experience using property management or finance systems. Experience of MRI Qube or a comparable system is required.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation and prioritisation skills.
• The ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance audiences.
• A collaborative and customer-focused approach.
• Strong integrity and discretion when handling client money, personal data and confidential information.

Qualifications A relevant accounting qualification, or active progress towards one, such as AAT Level 4, ACCA or CIMA, would be desirable, although equivalent practical experience will also be considered. Membership of, or study towards, a relevant property management qualification through The Property Institute or RICS would also be beneficial. Experience of mixed-use developments, estate charges, client reporting or coaching colleagues would be an advantage.  

 

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