At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse service charges, verify data, and ensure fairness for our customers.
- Company: Join a transformative housing organisation dedicated to creating affordable homes.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, health perks, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role with travel, offering hands-on experience and growth potential.
- Why this job: Be part of a team driving real change in the housing sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in service charge management and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 38500 - 38500 £ per year.
A place to drive change. Location: Hybrid, predominantly remote with travel to our schemes in the South (Camberley/Kent) and East (Peterborough/Cambridge). The successful candidate will be aligned to their closest Accent office in either Peterborough or Camberley.
Salary: Circa £38,500 per annum, 2 year fixed term contract, 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm.
We’re on a journey of transformation. We’re finding new ways to achieve our purpose of providing families with affordable, sustainable and safe homes. We’re innovating for our customers and to create a thriving workspace that supports everyone. We’re a team of passionate, dedicated people, working to drive change for the better. We’re building something special here and we want driven, creative people to join us. If you’re looking for a career where you can be part of change, share your ideas and help us transform, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us and shape our future.
About the role: As our Service Charge Specialist, you won’t just crunch numbers; you’ll dig deeper. Visiting sites, verifying data, and thinking beyond the surface, you’ll uncover the true story behind service charge schedules. Your pragmatic approach will spot discrepancies, distinguish errors from necessary adjustments, and ensure every scheme’s data stands up to scrutiny. Working closely with Asset teams and leadership, you’ll help future-proof our processes, ensuring accurate apportionments aligned with tenancy and lease agreements. Your efforts will directly impact customers, safeguarding fairness and improving data integrity across Accent. This role involves travel in the South and East for site visits, offering variety and the chance to get hands-on with the properties we serve. If you’re inquisitive, thorough, and ready to make a real difference, we want to hear from you.
Salary: The salary for the Service Charge Specialist post is circa £38,500 per annum for applicants who fully meet the requirements of the post. If you’re still developing some of the skills or experience, you can start at a salary 5% or 10% below the spot rate, with clear support and progression opportunities to reach the full amount.
About you: The ideal candidate will have proven experience in service charge management. Strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail are essential, along with the ability to interpret complex residential leases and identify discrepancies. Proficiency in Excel, finance systems, and housing management software is expected, as is the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a range of stakeholders. The role also demands a collaborative, customer-focused approach and the ability to work confidently with both internal teams and external partners. The successful applicant will be subject to pre-employment checks, such as DBS and social media screening, before an offer is confirmed.
Service Charge Specialist Interviews: We want your candidate experience to reflect who we are - a place to grow, a place to thrive, a place to be you.
- Stage 1: A Place to Connect - A Teams interview with the hiring manager. You’ll learn more about the role and team, and we’ll get to know you, your experience, goals, and what you bring. Planned date: 25th September via Teams.
- Stage 2: A Place to Show Your Strengths - A role related assessment and behavioural and scenario-based interview focused on how you apply your knowledge to real-life situations. You'll be asked to complete a Congruity Questionnaire in advance. Planned date: 1st October at our Peterborough office.
We aim to make the process clear, supportive, and genuinely valuable - a place where you feel informed and confident at every step.
A place to build a future: We’ve got big ambitions and we’re looking for people who want to grow with us. Here, you’ll have the chance to learn new skills, shape your career, and thrive in a collaborative environment where your ideas matter. And because we believe great work deserves great rewards, here’s what you can look forward to:
- Generous time off - 28 days holiday plus bank holidays, an extra day for your birthday, and the option to buy more.
- Health & wellbeing support - Cash health plan, Health MOTs, online GP access, gym discounts, and a dedicated volunteering day for a cause you care about.
- Financial perks - Car leasing options, salary sacrifice schemes, and exclusive discounts through our benefits platform to help your money go further.
- Future-focused benefits - Access to both Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit pension schemes through salary sacrifice, plus life assurance at three times your salary for peace of mind.
- Family-friendly policies - Enhanced parental leave, flexible working options, and support for work-life balance.
- Career development - From Stepping into Management and Management Essentials training to our Leadership Academy, apprenticeships, and more, we’ll help you grow and succeed.
This is more than a job - it’s a place where you can make an impact, feel valued, and be rewarded for what you do.
We’re Committed to Inclusion: We believe diversity makes us stronger and we’re committed to creating a place where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to thrive. Our recruitment process is designed to be accessible and inclusive, and if you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage, just let us know - we’ll make it happen. Because this isn’t just a workplace - it’s a place to belong.
Please don’t delay in submitting your application. Where roles are urgent or we receive a high volume of applications, we may interview and conclude the process prior to any closing date indicated. Please note candidates must have current eligibility to live and work in the UK, Accent do not currently hold a sponsorship license.
Service Charge Specialist in London employer: Accent Housing
As a Specialist Housing Partner, you will be part of a dedicated team that prioritises creating meaningful moments for families in need of safe and affordable housing. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, offering flexible working hours to ensure a healthy work-life balance. Located in the heart of Nottingham, we provide unique opportunities to make a real difference in the community while enjoying a fulfilling career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Charge Specialist in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Accent Housing. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Accent Housing.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Accent Housing. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Service Charge Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Accent Housing and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Accent Housing how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Accent Housing
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Accent Housing.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Accent Housing's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
