Accountant

Co-operative Development Society; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Co-operative Development Society (CDS) seeks an Accountant to join a small team delivering financial reporting, budgeting and control for CDS and client accounts. You will lead rent and service charge accounting, prepare management reports and budgets, and maintain reconciliations and fixed asset records.

You will be studying towards ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent, with experience in management accounting, financial reporting and rent/charge accounting.

Qualifications

• In-progress ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification or equivalent is required or pursued.
• Experience in management accounting and financial reporting.
• Experience with rent and service charge accounting and preparing budgets/forecasts.

Responsibilities

• Lead rent and service charge accounting for CDS and clients.
• Prepare management reports, budgets and forecasts.
• Keep reconciliations and fixed asset records accurate.
• Supervise and develop the Assistant Accountant.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Analytical skills

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA candidate

Tools

Excel

Job description

About CDS

CDS exists to provide, support and promote co‑operative and community‑led housing so that more people can live and work in co‑operative ways. We are the country’s largest provider of governance, financial and housing management support to small housing co‑operatives, we are a small social landlord in our own right and we are innovating new routes to grow community‑led housing in England. Our work is values‑led, people‑focused and grounded in accountability.

The opportunity

In this role, you’ll be one of three Accountants, carrying out a variety of vital duties for CDS and our clients. These may include:

• Helping CDS and our clients make informed financial decisions through accurate, timely reporting and clear analysis;
• Leading rent and service charge accounting;
• Preparing management reports, budgets and forecasts;
• Keeping reconciliations and fixed asset records accurate.

Working closely with budget holders and clients, you’ll bring numbers to life and help them understand their financial position. You’ll also maintain effective financial controls, support audits and statutory returns and supervise and develop our Assistant Accountant.

About you

You’re studying towards a recognised accountancy qualification such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA, or an equivalent. You bring experience in management accounting, financial reporting, rent and service charge accounting and preparing budgets or forecasts. You have advanced Excel skills, strong analytical ability and excellent attention to detail. You’re organised, reliable and able to meet competing deadlines, with the confidence to explain financial information clearly to colleagues and clients. You take ownership, act with integrity and look for ways to improve processes. You can support and develop a junior colleague; previous supervisory and social housing experience would be an advantage.

Our values

We recruit and develop people who live our values every day: Unity, Trust, Intention, Impact, Collaboration, Communication and Kindness. If these reflect how you work, we’d love to hear from you.

Working here

We offer genuine flexibility (hybrid working with access to our SE1 office) and opportunities to learn and develop alongside a competitive benefits package.

Inclusion

We are working to be an anti‑racist, inclusive organisation and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We value challenge, learning and different perspectives in all our work.

Closing Date

Monday, 9th November 2026 at 8am

Interviews

Thursday, 19th November 2026 (in person at our Central London offices)