Role Overview
The role of Head of Client Accounts is responsible for the leadership of the Clients Accounts service and team of 21. Including process, service levels and risk management. Including reviewing relevant client service processes to identify efficiencies and improvements required to service levels, identifying risk, reporting on the Risk Register. Working with the Manager of Client Accounts, Lettings Compliance, and the Lettings Operations Director on necessary action, lead relevant projects and ensure delivery of objectives.
Following continued and significant growth the lettings business is seeking an experienced individual with the appropriate financial/accounting qualification who can lead the overall service and drive results, supporting the c475 lettings team across c70 locations with rent collection, banking, purchase ledger, credit control and reporting. The ideal candidate will be a multi-faceted individual who is able to offer expertise in the areas of customer service and operational excellence with a particular focus on compliance matters.
Primary Objectives
The objectives for the role cover compliance, operational oversight and financial reporting including but are not limited to the below:
Compliance
- Ensure all controls and transactions are in line with statute and relevant standards in addition to that of the client money policy of Savills, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), ARLA Property mark and where applicable the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Assess, report and act on risk and compliance issues within the department. Work with the compliance team to establish and formulate the Risk Register and ensure the client accounts team are updated on a regular basis.
- Assess and report key performance and management information.
- Ensure effective implementation of policies or regulatory change.
- Ensure appropriate levels of authority are delegated to each Manager/team leader.
- Ensure that the procedures for each process are adequate for the purpose (and consistent across the Lettings business).
- Ongoing review of processes, independently reviewing the internal and external service of the client accounts team.
Operational oversight
- Leading, managing and developing the client accounting function.
- Lead relevant projects and assist with tasks for the Lettings Leadership team.
- Ensure that operating procedures are clearly defined/documented, process mapped, communicated and trained across the department.
- Develop and implement a strategy for the ongoing progression and development of the client accounting service including standards for consistent high quality service delivery.
- Review the ‘added value' to clients by developing other service lines within the client accounting business.
- Act as the key point of contact for internal and external audit reviews of the client accounting service.
- Lead the client accounts integration of new portfolios as result of acquisitions.
- Ensure that the teams are resourced appropriately, dealing with recruitment, staff performance and costing in conjunction with the Client Accounts Manager.
- Manage and review service delivery and performance ensuring best practice is applied. implement new policies and procedures as necessary.
Financial reporting
- Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting across all clients and to the business working closely with the Savills UK finance team.
- Reconciling bank statements and other financial records.
- Preparing and maintaining accurate financial records for clients.
- Managing client accounts and ensuring timely payments.
- Preparing tax returns and other financial reports.
- Resolving financial discrepancies and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
- Communicating with clients and responding to their inquiries.
- Liaising with external bodies such as HMRC, and auditors.
- Collaborating with other teams such as tax and audit teams.
- Staying up-to-date with changes in tax laws and regulations.
The Head of Client Accounts will be a member of the relevant boards to carry out the role and will take on any additional tasks instructed by the Lettings Leadership team.
Human Resources and Compliance
- Ensure all information that needs to be submitted to HR is done in a timely manner.
- Maintain personal details via MyHR.
- Participate in the annual Performance Appraisal Process.
- Enhance skill level by attending any required training.
- Comply with the Savills Group IT Policy and Data Protection Act.
Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Qualifications
- An appropriate financial/accounting qualification.
- Maintain any qualifications required for the role.
- Maintain membership of any required professional bodies.
Experience
People management and leadership experience, able to evidence: -
- Responsibility for strategic growth of team.
- Proven ability to develop skills and enable personal and professional growth of individuals.
- Coaching approach to management and leadership.
- Regular communications and meetings with team members.
- Effective delegation for maximum results.
- That they are a people motivator, able to create successful team working and individual. performance and engagement.
- Experience of successful conflict management and performance management.
Technical experience
- Prior client accounting experience preferably within the property sector, but not essential.
- Strong IT/technical skills with good understanding of shared accounting and management IT platforms.
Skills and Knowledge
- Deep understanding of accounting compliance and best practice.
- Possesses vision and can develop complex strategies and solutions.
- Excellent relationship builder to generate business.
- Focussed: commits to challenging goals and delivers consistently against these.
- Continuous improvement: delivers efficiency in addition to effectiveness.
- Self-starter, who relishes challenges and strives for the best.
- Strong team player, builds relationships and consults with others, quickly establishes trust and credibility.Robust and prepared to lead from the fro