Service Charge Accountant in Bedford

Service Charge Accountant, Bedford (4 days in office, 1 day remote), 40k- 45k+ discretionary bonus About the Business My client is a leading UK provider of flexible workspace, operating a broad portfolio of office, studio, and light industrial sites across multiple regions.
Role Overview This is an in-house Service Charge Accountant position responsible for the accurate preparation, administration, and reconciliation of service charges across a diverse commercial property portfolio.
The role offers full ownership of the service charge lifecycle and plays a key part in strengthening internal processes and financial controls.
Key Responsibilities Interpret commercial lease agreements to ensure service charge calculations, apportionments, and recoveries are accurate and compliant.
Prepare annual service charge budgets aligned with the wider business planning and budgeting timetable.
Issue service charge demands in accordance with lease terms and agreed schedules.
Perform regular reconciliations of service charge accounts, investigating and resolving variances and discrepancies.
Produce year-end service charge accounts and supporting documentation in line with regulatory and best practice standards.
Monitor service charge income and arrears, supporting effective recovery while maintaining positive tenant relationships.
Deliver clear management information, including variance analysis and commentary.
Assist with forecasting and periodic reforecasting of service charge expenditure.
Review existing service charge processes, recommending and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.
Attend meetings with operational teams or occupiers to explain budgets, reconciliations, and adjustments where required.
Work closely with property management and finance colleagues to ensure audit readiness and consistent application of policies.
Provide ad hoc support to the Financial Controller as needed.
Skills Experience Demonstrable experience within commercial service charge accounting.
Experience managing the full service charge cycle from budget setting through to year-end reconciliation.
Comfortable operating autonomously in a newly established or evolving in-house role.
Strong technical knowledge of service charge accounting principles and reporting requirements.
Working understanding of the RICS Service Charge Code of Practice.
High level of accuracy and strong analytical capability.
Advanced Excel skills, including reconciliation of large and complex data sets.
Confident in reviewing and challenging information provided by managing agents and external suppliers.
Clear and effective communicator, able to explain financial information to non-finance stakeholders.
Well organised, adaptable, and able to manage competing deadlines.
Service Charge Accountant, Bedford (4 days in office, 1 day remote), 40k- 45k+ discretionary bonus