Property Accountant

Joshua Robert Recruitment; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Hands-on office-based role

Growth opportunities

Job summary

Joshua Robert Recruitment is seeking a highly organised Financial Controller in Birmingham (office based) to own finance and client accounting for a growing property management and lettings portfolio. You will oversee financial reporting, forecasting, VAT compliance, and client money processes, while partnering with the Portfolio Director to ensure accuracy and compliance.

The role requires hands-on management of ledgers, rent allocations, reconciliations, and strong Excel/finance systems

Qualifications

• Proven experience in finance within property accounting.
• Strong bookkeeping, reconciliations and VAT knowledge.
• Experience managing client money accounts and ledgers.
• Excellent Excel and financial systems skills.
• Ability to work independently and own the finance function.
• Desirable: AAT/ACCA/CIMA/ACA or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day finance and client accounting across tenant and landlord ledgers.
• Allocate rent payments, reconcile rents and fees, and manage payments.
• Prepare client payment runs and ensure timely landlord payments.
• Produce quarterly/annual forecasts and management reports for the Portfolio Director.
• Perform reconciliations across client money and business bank accounts; file VAT returns.
• Maintain knowledge of client money regulations in property sector.
• Lead daily credit control and arrears reporting.
• Process supplier, contractor, and third-party invoices with correct coding.
• Act as finance contact for Portfolio Director and management team.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, controls, and efficiencies.

Skills

Finance

Property accounting

VAT compliance

Credit control

Excel

Independent ownership

Education

AAT, ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent qualification

Tools

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.