Rent and Service Charge Accountant

Vivid Resourcing; England; On-site; GBP 83,000 - 120,000; Part time

Job summary

Housing Association in Norfolk seeks a Rent and Service Charge Accountant on an interim basis. The role focuses on ensuring accurate rent and service charge accounting, income calculation, billing, reconciliation and reporting across the housing stock.

The candidate will oversee annual rent setting and service charge processes from budgeting to year-end reconciliation, working independently and communicating complex charges to housing and finance colleagues.

Qualifications

• Recognised accountancy qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW, CIPFA or equivalent) or part qualified with relevant experience.
• Experience in rent and service charge accounting, ideally within social housing.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Manage the accounting for rent and service charge income, including reconciliations and control of related ledgers.
• Lead the annual rent setting process in line with regulatory requirements and rent standard.
• Prepare service charge budgets, estimates and year-end reconciliations, including apportionment of costs across schemes and properties.
• Produce service charge statements and support resolution of related queries.
• Monitor income, arrears and variances, and prepare management reports and commentary.
• Ensure charges are accurate and costs are allocated across teams.
• Support month-end, year-end and audit processes with working papers.
• Maintain accuracy of rent and service charge data in systems.
• Ensure processes comply with legislation, regulation and internal policies.
• Provide guidance on rent and service charge matters to colleagues.

Education

Qualified accountant or part-qualified in relevant field

Job description

Location: Norfolk, United Kingdom
Contract: Interim

About the role

Our client, a housing association, is looking for a Rent and Service Charge Accountant to join them in Norfolk on an interim basis. The role is responsible for the accuracy and integrity of rent and service charge accounting, making sure income is calculated, billed, reconciled and reported correctly across the housing stock.

You will oversee the annual rent setting and service charge processes, from budgeting and apportionment through to year-end reconciliation and tenant statements. The position suits an experienced finance professional who is comfortable working independently, managing deadlines and explaining complex charges clearly to colleagues in housing and finance.

The successful candidate will bring sound technical knowledge of social housing finance, good judgement and a methodical approach. This is a hands-on assignment where your experience will be put to work from the outset.

Main responsibilities

• Manage the accounting for rent and service charge income, including regular reconciliations and the control of related ledger accounts
• Lead the annual rent setting process in line with regulatory requirements and the rent standard
• Prepare service charge budgets, estimates and year-end reconciliations, including the apportionment of costs across schemes and properties
• Produce service charge statements and support the resolution of related queries and challenges
• Monitor income, arrears and variances, and prepare clear management reports and commentary
• Work with housing, asset management and other teams to make sure charges are accurate and costs are correctly allocated
• Support month-end, year-end and audit processes, including the preparation of working papers
• Maintain and improve the accuracy of rent and service charge data held in housing and finance systems
• Make sure processes and controls comply with relevant legislation, regulation and internal policies
• Provide guidance and support to colleagues on rent and service charge matters

Requirements

• A recognised accountancy qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ICAEW, CIPFA or equivalent), or part qualified with relevant experience
• Relevant experience in rent and service charge accounting, ideally within a housing association or other social housing provider
• Sound knowledge of social housing rent setting, service charge principles and related regulation
• Experience preparing service charge budgets, apportionments and year-end reconciliations
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues
• Experience supporting month-end, year-end and audit processes
• Competence with housing and finance systems and advanced Excel
• Good organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to work to deadlines
• The ability to work in Norfolk

The offer

• An interim role based in Norfolk
• Duration and rate to be confirmed with candidates

If you are an experienced rent and service charge accountant looking for an interim assignment in Norfolk, this role offers a clear scope and a defined focus within social housing finance. Apply below.