Head of Client Accounts

Pear Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

One day work from home after probation

Job summary

Pear Recruitment is seeking a Head of Client Accounts in Earlsfield. This senior role leads the Client Accounts function, ensuring accurate client money handling, financial controls and compliance. You will partner with Directors and Heads of Department to drive improvements across processes, governance and reporting.

The role requires extensive residential property accounting experience, leadership, and a proactive approach to risk and audits. Hybrid work pattern offered after probation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in residential property accounting or client accounting.
• Strong knowledge of client money, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Experience managing or supervising a finance or client accounting team.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day Client Accounts function and process client money transactions.
• Own Lettings Forecast, staff commissions, supplier commissions and ad hoc invoicing.
• Maintain controls over client funds, payment processes and financial approvals.
• Act as senior escalation point for complex client accounting matters.
• Oversee month-end accounts, reporting and audits.
• Own data accuracy across systems (Reapit, Xero, 360) and drive improvements.

Skills

Residential property accounting

Client money / reconciliations

Financial controls

Team leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Prioritization

Reapit

Education

ACCA / CIMA / ACA or equivalent

Tools

Reapit

Job description

Pear Recruitment – Head of Client Accounts

Location - Earlsfield

Salary - £50,000 - £60,000 + Bonus up to 10%

Hours – Monday–Friday 9am–6pm (1 day working from home after probation)

Our client is a fast-growing independent property business, seeking a Head of Client Accounts to lead their busy Accounts team.

This is a senior operational role covering client accounting, financial controls, reconciliations, payments, compliance, reporting, systems and team leadership. Working closely with Directors and Heads of Department, you will provide financial and operational guidance, act as the senior escalation point for complex matters and drive continuous improvement across the function.

As Head of Client Accountant, you will take overall responsibility for the accurate, compliant and efficient management of client money.

Key Responsibilities

Client Accounting & Financial Control

• Lead the day-to-day Client Accounts function, ensuring accurate and timely processing of all client money transactions.
• Own Lettings Forecast, staff commissions, supplier commissions, property licensing accounting, agency fees, and ad hoc invoicing
• Maintain robust controls over client funds, payment processes and financial approvals.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complex client accounting matters.

Compliance, Governance & Risk

• Own the Client Accounts control framework and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, Client Money Protection requirements, SafeAgent standards and company policies.
• Maintain and continuously improve client accounting policies, procedures, controls and audit trails.
• Monitor financial and operational risks and implement appropriate corrective and preventative controls.

Banking, Reporting & Audits

• Oversee client account banking, payment preparation, approvals and submissions.
• Take ownership of month-end accounts and reports
• Take ownership of business accounts payables and bank payments, including payroll
• Act as the sole point of contact for external auditors, SafeAgent and other client money assurance reviews + Lead the end-to-end completion

Systems & Process Improvement

• Own the accuracy and integrity of client accounting data across Reapit, Xero, 360 and other relevant systems.
• Identify system, reporting and process weaknesses and implement practical improvements.
• Lead initiatives to improve efficiency, accuracy, automation and financial controls.
• Support system changes, migrations and new implementations from a client accounting perspective.

Team Leadership

• Lead, manage and develop the Client Accounts team.
• Provide technical guidance and coaching on accounting, compliance and client matters.
• Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.

Business Partnership

• Work closely with Directors, CFO, Lettings, Property Services and Operations to resolve financial and client accounting matters.
• Provide clear financial guidance to financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Challenge transactions, processes or decisions where there are financial, client money or compliance concerns.
• Lead and support projects that strengthen controls, reporting and operational efficiency.

What We’re Looking for Essential

• Significant experience in residential property accounting, client accounting or a similar financial environment.
• 2-year experience using Reapit
• Strong knowledge of client money, reconciliations, compliance and financial controls.
• Experience managing or supervising a finance or client accounting team.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work autonomously and exercise sound professional judgement.

Desirable

• Qualified or part qualified ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Client Accounts Manager or Finance Manager experience.
• Experience within a Client Money Protection / SafeAgent environment.
• Experience managing client money or financial compliance audits.
• Experience with financial systems implementation, migration or process improvem

Due to the number of applications we receive, we are unfortunately unable to respond to each applicant individually. If you do not hear from us within 7 days, you may assume you have not been selected at this time - but please do apply for anything you feel you are suitable for and thank you for your interest in PEAR Recruitment.

Confidentiality – All communication with us is treated with the upmost confidentiality and you will always be advised if your CV is being submitted to a client.