Service Charge Accountant (Expert)

FirstPort; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Pension contributions

Life assurance

Discounts on extra benefits

Gym membership

Job summary

FirstPort, a leading UK residential property management company, is hiring a Service Charge Accountant to oversee service charge accounting for residential and commercial portfolios. You will manage budgets, reconciliations, and reporting, while mentoring the team and contributing to financial strategy.

The role requires extensive service charge accounting experience, strong regulatory knowledge, and proficiency in Excel and property management systems.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in service charge and property management accounting.
• Advanced knowledge of service charge regulations and financial reporting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and accounting software; experience with property management systems is a must.
• Excellent communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting.
• In-depth knowledge of audits and compliance.
• Experience in strategic financial decision-making and process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation and management of service charge accounts & cost estimates for various properties.
• Oversee reconciliation of accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare and review service charge statements and reports for homeowners.
• Prepare & present financial reports to key stakeholders.
• Provide expert advice on service charge issues to key stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with relevant policies and regulations.
• Manage the annual service charge audit process and liaise with auditors for portfolio.
• Support and guide the accounting team on complex service charge matters.
• Identify and implement process improvements for greater efficiency.
• Stay updated on industry trends and regulations.

Skills

Service charge accounting

Property management

Microsoft Excel

Accounting software

Communication

Organization

Audits & compliance

Strategic financial decisions

QBE or formal accounting qualification

Education

ACCA/CIMA or QBE

AAT

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Accounting software

Property management systems

Job description

Salary: Competitive Salary plus benefits

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Monday to Friday – 9am to 5pm (35 hours per week)

Why FirstPort?

FirstPort, are on an ambitious journey to redefine excellence in UK residential property management. We are committed to elevating and resetting industry standards to be the most trusted and professional residential property management company.

By joining us as a Service Charge Accountant, you will play a pivotal role in achieving our vision:

• Impactful Work: You will directly support FirstPort’s mission to elevate industry standards and provide an exceptional service to our customers.
• Professional Growth: With access to accredited training and development programmes, you will be empowered to reach your potential.
• Supportive Environment: We foster a culture where collaboration and innovation thrive, ensuring you feel valued and supported every step of the way.
• A Future of Opportunity: Be part of a forward-thinking organisation that is shaping the future of residential property management in the UK.

At the core of everything we do are our leadership principles:

• Collaborative: We work together, combining expertise to deliver outstanding outcomes for our customers
• Consistent: We deliver dependable results, building trust with customers and colleagues.
• Simple: We simplify the complex, ensuring our financial processes are straightforward and understood.
• Clear: We communicate with clarity, making information accessible and transparent to all stakeholders.

Your Role, Your Impact

As a Service Charge Accountant, you will oversee service charge accounting for residential and commercial properties. This includes managing budgets, reconciliations, and reporting, while ensuring compliance with regulations and policies. The role also involves mentoring the team and contributing to financial strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead preparation and management of service charge accounts & cost estimates for various properties.
• Oversee reconciliation of accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare and review service charge statements and reports for homeowners
• Prepare & present financial reports to key stakeholders
• Provide expert advice on service charge issues to key stakeholders
• Ensure compliance with relevant policies and regulations
• Manage the annual service charge audit process and liaise with auditors for portfolio
• Support and guide the accounting team on complex service charge matters.
• Identify and implement process improvements for greater efficiency.
• Stay updated on industry trends and regulations.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in service charge and property management accounting.
• Advanced knowledge of service charge regulations and financial reporting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and accounting software; experience with property management systems is a must.
• Excellent communication skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional organisational and project management abilities.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in financial reporting.
• In-depth knowledge of audits and compliance.
• Experience in strategic financial decision-making and process improvement.
• Relevant accounting qualifications (AAT, ACCA, CIMA) required or QBE

What’s in it for you?

Our customers deserve the best and the same applies to our people. We will provide you with the technology, training and support that you need to do your job well. We offer competitive salaries and a range of benefit packages depending on the grade of your role, such as private medical insurance, pension contributions and life assurance. In addition, we also offer a range of exclusive discounts on extra benefits to help you, and your family make the most of your money, safeguard your future and look after your health, including discounted gym membership for all colleagues.

Diversity

We’re committed to promoting diversity at FirstPort and recruit on merit. We will ensure we make any adjustments that we can to support both through the recruitment and on-boarding process.

Ready to make a difference?

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and make a difference we’d love to hear from you!

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK without restrictions, and documented evidence of eligibility will be required.

Join us at FirstPort, where we not only manage properties but strive to lead and transform the industry. Together, we can make a difference – for our customers, our colleagues, and the future of residential property management in the UK.

Elevate your career. Reset the standard. Join FirstPort.