Service Charge Accountant
Salary: £28,000-£32,000pa (dependent on experience)
Location: Cambridge, central (Hybrid - 2 days WFH, 3 days office)
Hours: Full time (8:30 – 17:00 Monday to Thursday, 8:30 – 16:30 Friday)
Term: Permanent
Start date: ASAP
Application deadline: Sunday 21st September
Our client is a well established property management company - the vision of its founders is to offer exceptional service putting the client and their properties first, as if they live there themselves. They specialise in the ongoing management of large residential developments, including the effective administration of +£20m of client service charge budgets. Based in Cambridge and with offices in London, Bracknell and Nottingham, Encore works across East Anglia, London, the Home Counties, the South and East Midlands, and has plans for further growth. The Group also consists of separate Facilities Management and Legal businesses, employing over 200 people. Encore prides itself on a commitment to excellence and customer service.
The role
The Service Charge Accountant is responsible for the effective client accounting of a portfolio of managed estates. The role forms a vital part of the team, working closely with the Estate Management team and will also require regular interaction with external accountants plus some client correspondence. This is an exciting role which will offer the successful candidate the opportunity to grow. In all areas, you will need to ensure that company policies and procedures are consistently applied to the required standards, delivering on time and with a high degree of accuracy. Duties include but are not limited to:
- Ensure annual service charge budgets are accurate and loaded correctly with correct apportionments.
- Periodic billing of service charges, ground rent and other charges to leaseholders.
- Prepare end of year service charge accounts within agreed timeframe, before submitting to external Accountants for review.
- Monthly bank reconciliations for client estates.
- Produce quarterly management reports, for review with Estate Managers and clients. Analyse the expenditure v budget, arrears and cashflow position, producing a summary report.
- Monitor the general health and correctness of the service charge accounts associated with your portfolio, supporting Estate Managers with relevant information.
- Utilities and insurance recharging to leaseholders.
- Corporation tax administration.
- Answer leaseholder / client enquiries in a timely fashion.
- Handle referred leaseholder service charge queries to resolution via either telephone or e-mail, or escalate to relevant Estate Manager.
- Following up actions from AGM Minutes and directors meetings.
- Assist the Client Accounting team with day-to-day/ad hoc duties.
Person spec
- Considerable previous accounts experience – this role is not suitable for a current student. New graduates MUST have demonstrable experience as detailed below.
- Part-qualified CIMA/ACCA/ACA.
- Experience in service charge client accounting is desirable but not essential – transferable skills include pre-payments, accruals, year end accounts.
- Experience with Qube software is desirable but not essential.
- Excellent time management, prioritisation and diary management.
- Excellent numeracy/analytical skills and competency in dealing with financial information.
- Excellent communication skills – letter writing and the written and verbal presentation of information.
- Excellent computer skills – Proficient in all Microsoft programmes, particularly Excel, and competent in mail merging.
- Excellent Team Working – Ability to build working relationships with employees across the organisation.
- Thorough – attention to detail, the ability to think things through – not just follow a checklist.
- Accountable – take personal responsibility for seeing things through to successful resolution.
- Commitment – take pride in your work and care about your/the team’s performance.
- Mature – common-sense approach. Ability to see where improvements can be made.
- Positive – an optimistic, can-do attitude that enhances team morale.
How to apply: Please click on the apply button ensuring your CV is up to date and your cover letter is tailored to showcase your relevant skills and experience for the role.
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