Client Accountant

Randstad Staffing; Greater London; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

B-hive Property Solutions (CF) in Croydon is seeking a Service Charge Accountant to join the Client Accounting Team. You will manage service charge accounts for residential blocks, supporting year-end processes and client reporting.

The role involves coordinating with auditors, ensuring timely draft accounts, and handling related bank reconciliations and funding considerations. Strong Excel/Word skills and knowledge of property management are essential.

Qualifications

• Good understanding of Residential Property Management
• Strong Excel and Word skills
• Good numerical skills
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication abilities
• Ability to use own initiative
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure

Responsibilities

• Year End Process: Prepare accounts pack, scan to Dwellant, send to auditors and balance sheets alignment
• Audit Queries/Draft Accounts: Resolve pre‑audit queries and chase outstanding accounts
• Client Reporting: Compile financial packs and oversee Landlord Statements
• Other Duties: Assist with properties setup, bank reconciliations, cash flow monitoring, service charge and ground rent demands
• Advising property managers and clients on funding issues
• Liaising with finance team on invoices and client fees
• Answering telephone queries and general filing

Skills

Excel

Word

Numerical skills

Interpersonal skills

Initiative

Team player

Prioritisation

Job description

• POSITION | Service Charge Accountant


• HOURS OF WORK | 9.00am to 5.30pm


• LOCATION | Croydon


• DIVISION | B-hive Property Solutions (CF)

Company Profile

B-hive Property Solutions is part of the Vegner Group of Companies. The Vegner Group is a property service group established in 1991. With over 30 years' experience the business specialises in the management of blocks of flats and offers other related services such as insurance broking, lettings management, surveying, company secretarial and the provision of concierge staff. The group has revenues of approximately £31m, and has over 650 employees, 180 of which are based at clients' buildings. We also administer the employment (payroll and HR support) for a further 150-200 staff employed directly by our clients. Headquartered in Richmond the group operates from 18 locations across England. The highest concentration of staff is in the Southeast of England.

Job Purpose

Managing the production of service charge accounts for residential blocks in the Client Accounting Team. This portfolio will increase in time with new business and some existing clients due to restructure.

Main Responsibilities

Year End Process

• Prepare accounts pack and scan to Document Management system (Dwellant) and send to auditors


• Complete proforma agreeing auditors balance sheet to Property Management System (PMS) balance sheet


• Maintain the Service Charge year end control sheet

Audit Queries/Draft Accounts

• Resolve any pre audit queries with estate manager and auditor


• Ensure that draft and signed accounts are scanned to Dwellant


• Chase auditors for any outstanding accounts (all accounts must be completed, signed and distributed to lessees within 6 months of the year end)


• Agree draft accounts with clients and answer any queries they may have


• Reconcile reserve balance in accounts to funds held on PMS and adjust when accounts signed


• Issue s20b letters where accounts not issued within 6 months from year end

Client Reporting

• Compile packs of financial reports and send to directors on quarterly basis


• Oversee the production of Landlord Statements and forward funds to client

Other Duties

• Assist with the setup of new properties on the system including the accounting position on handover


• Assist with Bank Reconciliations & monitoring of cash flow


• Assist with raising service charge demands in accordance with agreed timescales


• Assist with raising ground rent demands and CLRA notices according to given timescales


• Advising property managers and clients on funding issues.


• Deal with Debit & Credit Card receipts and reconciliations


• Liaising with Office Finance team on office (company) invoices payable and clients' fees for monthly management accounting purposes


• Answer and deal with telephone queries and general filing

Person Specification

• Good understanding of Residential Property Management and current legislation


• Well developed interpersonal and oral communications skills


• Good Excel and Word skills


• Ability to work on own initiative


• Good numerical skills


• Ability to work as a team player


• Ability to prioritise workload and work under pressure

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.