Property Accountant

Joshua Robert Recruitment Limited; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Job summary

Joshua Robert Recruitment Limited is seeking a Financial Controller for a Birmingham-based property management and lettings business. You will own the finance function, oversee client accounting, reporting, forecasting and VAT compliance, ensuring high standards of financial control and stakeholder service.

Working closely with the Portfolio Director, you will manage ledgers, rent allocations, arrears, supplier payments and financial statements, driving process improvements and robust financial

Qualifications

• Proven experience in finance, property accounting, client accounting or a similar finance role.
• Strong knowledge of bookkeeping, reconciliations, VAT, credit control and client accounting.
• Experience managing client money accounts and preparing financial reports.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day finance and client accounting across the property portfolio.
• Allocate rents, reconcile accounts and manage client/payment runs.
• Prepare forecasts, reports and VAT returns within deadlines.
• Maintain client money regulations and accounting requirements.
• Oversee arrears, chase balances and produce arrears reports.
• Process supplier, contractor and utility invoices with accurate coding.
• Act as financial contact for the Portfolio Director and team.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes and controls.

Skills

Excel

Financial systems

Attention to detail

Independent ownership

Education

AAT ACCA CIMA ACA or equivalent

Tools

Property management software

Client accounting software

Job description

FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

• Location: Birmingham (Office Based)
• Salary: £50,000 (dependent on experience)
• Sector: Property Management & Lettings
• Contract: Permanent, Full-Time (Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm)

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client is looking for a highly organised, detail-oriented and proactive Financial Controller to take full ownership of the finance and client accounting function within their busy property management and lettings business.

This is a hands-on role responsible for all aspects of client and business accounting, including financial reporting, forecasting, reconciliations, VAT compliance, payment processing, rent allocation, credit control, invoice processing and client financial support. You will also proactively manage arrears, maintain accurate client accounts, and ensure high standards of financial control across the business.

Working closely with the Portfolio Director and wider property management team, you will ensure the accurate management of financial transactions across a growing portfolio of residential properties, whilst maintaining the highest standards of compliance, accuracy and client service.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Manage the day-to-day finance and client accounting function, maintaining accurate tenant and landlord ledgers across the managed property portfolio.
• Allocate rent payments accurately, investigate discrepancies, and manage the reconciliation of rents, management fees, agency fees and property-related expenditure.
• Ensure timely and accurate landlord payments, tenant refunds and contractor payments, and prepare and manage client payment runs.
• Prepare quarterly, annual and ad hoc financial forecasts, management reports and business performance information for the Portfolio Director.
• Perform regular reconciliations across all client money and business bank accounts, and prepare, reconcile and submit VAT returns within statutory deadlines.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of client money regulations and accounting requirements within the property sector.
• Conduct daily credit control activity, proactively chasing arrears and overdue balances, and produce fortnightly arrears reports.
• Process contractor, supplier, insurance, utility and third-party invoices accurately, ensuring correct coding and timely payment.
• Act as the key financial contact for the Portfolio Director and wider property management team, developing a strong understanding of the property portfolio and client structures.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve financial processes, controls and efficiencies.

WHAT OUR CLIENT LOOKING FOR

• Proven experience in finance, property accounting, client accounting or a similar finance role.
• Strong understanding of bookkeeping, reconciliations, VAT, credit control, accounts payable and client accounting.
• Experience managing client money accounts and client ledgers, and preparing financial reports and forecasts.
• Strong understanding of arrears management and debt collection processes.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel and financial systems skills, with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and take genuine ownership of the finance function.
• Experience within property management, lettings, estate agency or real estate is desirable, along with knowledge of property management/client accounting software and an understanding of landlord and tenant accounting processes.
• AAT, ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent qualification is desirable, or qualified by experience.

WHY JOIN OUR CLIENT

• Automatic enrolment into the Company's Pension Scheme upon successful completion of probation.
• A professional Birmingham office environment with a genuinely hands-on, varied role.
• The opportunity to play a key role in the continued growth of an established property management and lettings business.

INDS