At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead rent accounting for a diverse rural estate, ensuring financial accuracy and compliance.
- Company: Join Bidwells, a forward-thinking, independent partnership in the property sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, wellness days, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to inclusivity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in estate management while fostering strong community relationships.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in rent accounting and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Senior Rent Accountant looking for your next move? We are seeking a knowledgeable and driven individual to provide rent accounting leadership and support within Bidwells’ Rural Estate Management team. This role will play a key part in delivering managing agent and rent accounting services across a significant and diverse rural estate portfolio, overseeing income collection, arrears management, financial reporting and compliance, while supporting the wider team in delivering a high-quality service.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the management of a large and diverse rural estate portfolio, spanning tens of thousands of acres across multiple locations. As well as providing technical oversight, you will contribute to the effective day-to-day management of the estate, supporting strong relationships with tenants, communities and stakeholders, whilst ensuring high standards of financial governance and service delivery. We are looking for someone to join us around the beginning of July, with the role based in either our Inverness or Perth office.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading the rent accounting function across a large rural estate portfolio, including rent demands, income allocation, receipts and reconciliations.
- Overseeing monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting, ensuring accuracy and compliance with client requirements, KPIs and public sector standards.
- Reviewing and approving arrears actions, payment plans, refunds and write-offs in line with policies and delegated authority levels.
- Ensuring all financial and property data is accurately maintained within the property management system, including timely updates following lease events.
- Managing bank reconciliations, accruals, unallocated receipts and cash controls, ensuring compliance with RICS Client Money regulations.
- Providing oversight of VAT, CIS and other regulatory requirements, liaising with internal and client finance teams as needed.
- Overseeing lease events, statutory compliance and landlord obligations (e.g. EICRs, gas safety, insurance), ensuring accurate record-keeping and compliance.
- Managing supplier processes end-to-end, including procurement, invoice approval and payment, while monitoring performance and compliance with policies and KPIs.
- Overseeing service charge accounting activities, including budgets, reconciliations and reporting where applicable.
- Supporting budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis, providing clear financial insight and commentary.
- Leading audit processes and ensuring all documentation, controls and reporting meet internal and external requirements.
- Monitoring service delivery against contractual KPIs, proactively addressing any issues.
- Line managing and developing junior team members, providing oversight, support and quality assurance.
- Acting as a key escalation point for complex financial queries from tenants, suppliers and stakeholders.
- Ensuring compliance with data protection, confidentiality and records management standards.
About You:
Essential:
- Significant experience in rent accounting, property finance or estate management accounting, ideally within a managing agent or public sector environment.
- Strong working knowledge of rent collection, arrears management, service charges and property-related financial reporting.
- Proven experience in financial reporting, reconciliations and monitoring budgets against forecasts.
- Good understanding of financial controls, governance frameworks and compliance requirements within a regulated or public sector setting.
- Highly numerate, with excellent analytical skills and a strong attention to detail.
- Experience supervising, mentoring or supporting junior team members.
- Proficient in property management and financial systems (e.g. Propman or similar), alongside strong Excel and reporting skills.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders.
Desirable:
- Professionally qualified or part-qualified accountant (e.g. ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Experience of VAT, CIS and income recognition within a property or estate management environment.
- Familiarity with Scottish public sector reporting frameworks and audit requirements.
Why Bidwells?
We’re a different kind of business. Whilst we’re a major player in the property sector, Bidwells remains a privately-owned, independent Partnership, with an inclusive, entrepreneurial culture. We give our people autonomy and take the time to listen. As a certified B Corporation (B-Corp), we are dedicated to using our business as a force for good, driving innovation and creating long-term value for our clients, communities and the environment.
What’s in it for you:
- Competitive Salary: We recognise and reward talent with generous salary and group bonus scheme. As a Real Living Wage employer, we’re committed to fair pay that reflects the true cost of living.
- Comprehensive Benefits: including up to 8% matched pension, 28 days holiday (bank holidays) as a minimum, along with your birthday off work, a wellness day, paid sabbaticals, private medical cover, medicash plan, lifestyle discounts and perks, and more.
- Professional Development: Continuous learning, study support and promotion opportunities.
- Innovative Culture: Be part of a forward-thinking team at the forefront of industry trends.
- Family Friendly: We offer enhanced family leave policies to support individuals close to you.
- Work-Life Balance: We value your well-being and offer agile working to support it.
Bidwells is dedicated to fostering a truly inclusive culture of belonging, where everyone can thrive and succeed as their true and authentic selves at every level. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and positively encourage applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of race, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief. Flexible working requests are considered from day one.
Recruitment agencies: Bidwells only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and that agency has been contacted and directed by a member of our Talent Acquisition Team to work on a specific vacancy. We do not pay agency fees when speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to Bidwells or any of our employees other than via our Applicant Tracking System and through our recruitment process. If this is not adhered to, agency fees will not be paid. Submission of any unsolicited CVs or proposals to Bidwells will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this approach.
Senior Rent Accountant in Perth employer: Bidwells
Contact Detail:
Bidwells Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Rent Accountant in Perth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the property finance world and let them know you're on the lookout for a Senior Rent Accountant role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity at Bidwells or elsewhere.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of rent collection and arrears management. Be ready to discuss your experience with financial reporting and compliance, as these are key areas for the role. Show us you know your stuff!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills! If you've supervised or mentored junior team members, share those experiences during interviews. We want to see how you can contribute to our team's success at Bidwells.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance of landing that dream job! It’s the quickest way for us to see your application and get you in front of the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Rent Accountant in Perth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Rent Accountant role. Highlight your experience in rent accounting, financial reporting, and compliance. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team at Bidwells. Share specific examples of your achievements in property finance and how you can contribute to our rural estate management.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical skills, make sure to mention any relevant experiences where you've successfully managed budgets, reconciliations, or financial reporting. We love numbers, so let them speak for you!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our unique culture at Bidwells.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bidwells
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Rent Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial reporting and rent collection. Brush up on key metrics related to income allocation, arrears management, and service charges. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed these areas in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves leading the rent accounting function and managing junior team members. Prepare examples of how you've mentored or supervised others in the past. Highlight your ability to foster strong relationships with stakeholders and how you’ve addressed complex financial queries.
✨Understand Compliance Inside Out
With a focus on compliance and governance, make sure you're familiar with RICS Client Money regulations and any relevant public sector standards. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in your previous positions and how you would approach it in this role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially regarding financial discrepancies or tenant issues. Think of specific scenarios where you had to make tough decisions or implement payment plans, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.