Property Accountant

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assist with the maintenance of complex service charge estate, including NIA & density calculations.
2. Assist estate managers in preparation of service charge budgets, apportionment of service charge budgets, and input into Yardi system within expected timeframes.
3. Ensuring best practice with RICS/ARMA service charge guidelines.
4. Raise quarterly service charge demands in a timely manner.
5. Reviewing service charge expenditure and investigating variances against budget, request forecasting adjustments if required, presenting service charge reports at monthly budget meetings.
6. Preparation of the year end service charge accounts and reconciliation, including liaising with service charge auditors, within expected timeframes.
7. Resolve queries raised by leaseholders and proactively manage relationships with leaseholders.
8. Reconciliation & recharge of tenant and landlord direct recoveries in a timely manner.
9. Prepare quarterly trial balance and balance sheet reconciliations, to assist the Service Charge Manager & Financial Controller in presenting financial results to Group Finance on a quarterly basis.
10. Liaise with financial/ group accounts teams and external auditors as required for statutory and group reporting and audits.
11. Assist the wider service charge team with other tasks as may be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

1. Experience of at least 5 years in a service charge accounting background within a Property Management environment is essential. Broad experience across commercial, residential and retail service charges is highly desirable.
2. Experience using property management systems is required. Experience with Yardi would be an advantage.
3. Part qualified accountant or a desire to undertake an accounting qualification is highly desirable.
4. The candidate must be able use initiative and work independently under pressure to be able to meet strict deadlines.
5. Strong data analysis skills and an ability to identify and resolve problems is essential.
6. Possess good communication skills and a desire to work closely with the wider Property Management Services team. Be able to establish good working relationships across the organisation.
7. Good Excel skills and an ability to present financial results in a concise and understandable manner is essential.