Senior Client Accountant

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading property management company in London seeks an experienced Senior Service Charge Accountant. This role involves overseeing service charge accounts for luxury residential properties, managing a team, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in service charge accounting and excellent communication skills to liaise with high-profile clients. Join a prestigious firm committed to exceptional service delivery!

Qualifications

• Track record in Service Charge Accounting within luxury residential properties.
• Experience in managing or supervising a team.
• Strong understanding of RICS/ARMA guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Oversee preparation of service charge accounts for luxury properties.
• Lead a team of Service Charge Accountants, ensuring training and quality assurance.
• Manage budgeting, reconciliation, and compliance with relevant legislation.

Skills

Service Charge Accounting

Team Management

QUBE (TRAMPS) Software

Client Relationship Management

Financial Reporting

Legislation Compliance

Tools

QUBE (TRAMPS)

Job description

Cobalt are representing a prestigious property management company specialising in prime, high-spec residential developments across London. Our clientele expects an exceptional standard of service, and they take pride in delivering bespoke property management solutions.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Service Charge Accountant to oversee a portfolio of luxury residential properties. This role requires not only technical accounting expertise but also the ability to manage and mentor a team, ensuring all service charge accounts are accurate, compliant, and delivered to the highest professional standard.

You will play a pivotal part in client relationship management, liaising directly with discerning landlords, freeholders, managing agents, and residents. The successful candidate will also act as a senior point of escalation, ensuring the smooth running of accounts and reporting across the portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the preparation, review, and finalisation of service charge accounts for high-spec residential developments

• Lead and mentor a team of Service Charge Accountants, providing training, support, and quality assurance

• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, RICS guidelines, ARMA standards, and lease terms

• Manage budgeting, forecasting, and reconciliations for complex property portfolios

• Liaise with Property Managers, Asset Managers, and clients, delivering high-level financial reporting and insights

• Oversee timely delivery of year-end accounts, working closely with auditors where required

• Streamline and improve processes, ensuring best practice across the service charge accounting function

• Manage cashflow, expenditure, and variance reporting for prestigious developments

• Act as the senior point of contact for client queries and escalations, ensuring exceptional service delivery

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven track record as a Service Charge Accountant within the residential property sector, ideally with luxury or prime portfolios

• Strong experience using QUBE (TRAMPS) software

• Excellent understanding of service charge legislation, RICS/ARMA guidance, and property accounting best practice

• Prior experience managing or supervising a team

• Exceptional communication skills - able to build trust with high-profile clients and internal stakeholders

• Detail-oriented with excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities

• Strong technical accounting skills, including reconciliations, budgeting, and reporting