Finance Manager (Service Charge)

The Methodist Church in Britain; West Alvington; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexi-time and hybrid working

Pension with 14% employer contribution

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Free onsite gym and changing facilties

Volunteer days: Make a Difference

Employee assistance programme

Free annual flu vaccination

Cycle to Work scheme

Job summary

Plymouth Community Homes is seeking a Finance Manager to lead its high-profile service charge function, overseeing charges across varied tenures and driving improvements ahead of leasehold reforms. This is a people-management role with hybrid working and a 37-hour week; job share is not available.

The role requires full AAT qualification and experience in service charges or a rapid path to developing it, with a focus on delivering clear resident communications and robust controls.

Qualifications

• Fully AAT qualified.
• Strong experience in housing, property management, service charges or a similar finance environment.
• Proven track record of leading and developing teams.
• Ability to resolve complex customer, resident and stakeholder queries.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end service charge cycle.
• Ensure charges are accurate and clearly communicated to residents.
• Deliver the strategic direction of the service charge function.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team.
• Strengthen systems and controls across the function.
• Improve transparency, value for money and outcomes for residents.

Skills

Financial analysis

Data interpretation

Clear financial communication

Advanced spreadsheet skills

Education

AAT qualification (Fully qualified)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Plymouth Community Homes is seeking a finance manager to lead its high-profile service charge function, which covers homes across various tenures. The post centres on running the full service charge cycle, from accurate charging through to clear resident communication, while shaping the function ahead of 2027 leasehold reforms. It is a people-management role with hybrid working and a 37-hour week, and job share is not available. Candidates need full AAT qualification; service charge experience is preferred or a fast route to developing it.

What the job involves

• Lead the end-to-end service charge cycle
• Ensure charges are accurate, clearly communicated and effectively managed, working with teams across PCH
• Deliver the strategic direction of the service charge function
• Lead and develop a high-performing team
• Strengthen systems and controls
• Work across the organisation to improve transparency, value for money and outcomes for residents
• Strengthen processes to align with leasehold reform requirements
• Implement new systems
• Provide clear direction and influence the future development of the service

What’s required

Qualifications

• Fully AAT qualified

Experience

• Strong experience in housing, property management, service charges or a suitable finance environment
• Track record of managing and developing teams
• Experience taking ownership of complex responsibilities and delivering high-quality outcomes
• Proven experience resolving complex customer, resident and stakeholder queries

Skills & knowledge

• Strong financial and analytical skills
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly
• Confidence working with large and complex datasets
• Advanced spreadsheet skills

Other

• Passion for improving services and finding better ways of working

Nice to have

• Experience in service charge accounting
• Understanding of service charge legislation and cost recovery, or the ability to develop it quickly

What’s offered

• Flexi-time and hybrid working
• Pension with 14% employer contribution
• Annual leave of 25 days rising to 30, plus bank holidays and holiday trading option
• Free onsite gym and changing facilities
• Three days of volunteer work a year through the Make a Difference scheme
• Free employee assistance programme including counselling
• Free annual flu vaccination
• Cycle to Work scheme