Service Charge Accountant /Analyst– Hertford, SG14

Service Charge Accountant /Analyst– Hertford, SG14

A well – established, Innovative and highly successful property firm based in Hertford, SG14 are currently recruiting for a proactive, professional Service Charge Accountant

This role requires you to work individually and as a part of a growing team, and to have an openminded approach with problem solving daily. You should be willing to participate fully in the running of the department, assisting with enquires and can adapt to new technology and operational systems.

Responsibilities include but not limited to

 Role Profile Role Title: Senior Service Charge Accountant / Analyst Department: Service Charge Accounts

 Responsible to: Financial Controller Responsible for: N/A to start.

Expected to move into a managerial position over some areas of the service charge accounts team as knowledge of the company acquired and leadership skills demonstrated. Primarily it manages the communal areas and structure of blocks of residential flats on behalf of its various clients, in London and the surrounding areas. There are several subsidiaries within the company who provide services such as commercial block management, building surveying, debt collection and maintenance / portering services. The group has a single owner, several million in turnover and about 50 employees.

It is a medium sized friendly company actively increasing its market share and looking to grow. Person Required: A technical accountant with excellent double-entry bookkeeping skills capable of building accurate accounts from handover data in Qube MRI. Capable of preparing the regular reporting requirements of property managers and clients. Skilled at checking, documenting and amending accounting ledgers to see them through their external certification / audit process.

This role will suit someone looking to expand their service charge accounts skills working for a small / medium size enterprise which will offer them the opportunity to get involved in all areas of the service charge accounts and decision making around processes. If you are tired of being a small cog in a large machine then this may be the role for you, offering personal growth and career opportunity.

Purpose of role:

Responsible for ensuring the service charge accounts ledgers are maintained to a high standard. Preparing and presenting to internal and external stakeholders the service charge financial & management accounting reports. Liaising with external accountants to see the accounts through the certification / audit. Assist the service charge accounts administrators and take over more technical queries and tasks.

Role Profile Key duties and responsibilities

•  Build relationships with the Property Management department and provide accounting insight where and when required.
•  Review ledgers for consistency and quality, before and after review by the responsible PM
• Identify, calculate and enter accruals, prepayment and adjustment journals
•  Prepare regular and ad hoc financial management reports including budget versus actual reports in a timely manner for the property managers and clients
• Help the PM’s analyse and explain variances
• Explain the meaning of the numbers to stakeholders, including analysis of the balance sheet to explain the reserve position on paper and the position in terms of available cash
• Ensure the SC administrators have reconciled supplier accounts, in particular utility suppliers
• Reconcile them yourself as and when required
• Calculate the billing and reconcile non budgeted utility and insurance re-charges
• Including reconciling heat power networks controlled by third parties like Welcome Energy & Data Energy.
• Utilise Qube MRI to do these calculations where possible
•  Develop and maintain client / property manager relationships and confidence
• Visit sites to build knowledge / attend client meetings if required
•  Prepare useable and informative budget templates
• Provide financial insight and assist the Property Managers with preparation of their budgets. Including calculation of staff salary and utility estimates
• Help develop the budget process to ensure allocations and splits are consistent and documented; the source of the numbers identifiable; best practice has been followed; logic applied and that they are presented in a useable & professional format.
• At the year-end ensure the ledgers are in good order and prepare high quality accounting information on accruals basis & liaise with the property managers and accountants to obtain certified / audited accounts
• To understand and be able to do all aspects of the service charge accounts administrator role
• To assist with holidays / sick cover and ensure a thorough understanding of the processes to assist and develop process controls to prevent problems occurring and maintain the integrity of the accounting ledgers
• Work with the PM’s and service charge accounts team and managers to create practical documented information of how the buildings work and interpret that into financial information
• Such as creating % allocation matrix and tools that assist the PM’s / PMA’s to code consistently and correctly.
•  Ensuring the service charge accounts team are effective and productive, including mentoring and training of existing and new staff. Develop their skills and implement process changes to improve productivity & control
• Certify and document processes
• Act as an on-boarder working with the PM department to bring on new buildings before handing them off to the day-to-day team once established.
• Work as part of the handover team to set up new buildings and reconcile new buildings data. E.g. Cash book reconciliations. Will involve doing the work yourself as well as directing and checking other people’s work.
• Any other duties as reasonably required to ensure the success, accuracy and timeliness of the service charge accounts team
• his may include any aspect of financial and management accountants, accounts receivable, accounts payable and credit control tasks, including monitoring and documenting progress towards targets.

Role Profile Software knowledge Required:

Qube MRI (Essential) • QuickBooks Desktop (Useful, but not essential) • Microsoft 365 / Office Behavioural competencies:

• Advanced Excel skills • Service Charge Accounts experience and knowledge
•  Understanding of service charge requirements from the RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code, ICAEW technical release TECH03/11, Landlord and Tenant Act, TPI (ARMA) best practice guides and other similar documents.
• Ability to read & interpret lease requirements a bonus
• Strong financial & management accounting skills
• Clear understanding of accounting double-entry Debits/Credits  Team player
• Ability to prioritise & manage own workload
• Confident telephone manner & customer service skills
• Ability to work in a pressurised environment whilst maintaining attention to detail
• Problem solving skills & a proactive mentality KPI’s
•  Ensure all accounts have a year-end BvA within 3 months of their FYE
•  Ensure all accounts are certified / audited and issued within 6 months of FYE
• Section 20bs notices issued as required
•  Ensure all new buildings are up & running financially within 3 months
• Ensure accounting ledgers are maintained to a high standard. • Prepare professional, usable reports and information
• Keep clients happy and confident in HSCPM’s management Ensure building information / accounting notes are documented, accessible and understandable to all stakeholders
• Ensure accounting information including journals are understandable to all users, in terms of application, description and relevant attachments
• Update progress control sheets immediately to ensure live data available for management review
• Positive working relationship with SCA, PM and external accountant teams.

The hours will be:                            Monday to Friday 9am – 5.30pm

 Benefits: Company Pension contribution 3%.

Study support. Qualifications: Will consider full of part qualified AAT, ACCA, ACA, CIMA, qualified by experience.

Annual Leave
1 hour lunch. 37.5 hours per week (Start time negotiable). Holiday: 20 days + 8 bank holidays + 3 working days between Christmas and New Year (Christmas holiday is subject to management agreement each year). 31 days in total.

Salary range will be:     Salary negotiable depending on qualifications, skills and experience hybrid a possibility

If this role is of interest to you and you have the necessary role requirements, please submit your most up to date CV and contact details to Louise Foster at Roundpegs Property Recruitment today.

Due to the high volume of enquiries that we receive, we are not always able to respond to all CVs. If you have not received a response within one week, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful in this instance. Thank you for your interest in Roundpegs Recruitment. If you are already registered with Roundpegs Recruitment, please express your interest in this role to your consultant.