Senior Service Charge Accountant in Watford

Senior Service Charge Accountant Location: Hertfordshire
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Up to £50,000pa + Benefits
About the Role We are seeking an experienced Senior Service Charge Accountant to join our growing finance team in Hertfordshire. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced service charge professional who enjoys working with complex residential and mixed-use developments, building strong stakeholder relationships, and delivering high-quality financial reporting.
Reporting into the Finance Manager, you will take ownership of a portfolio of service charge accounts, ensuring accuracy, compliance with lease obligations, and exceptional service delivery to clients, Property Managers and leaseholders.
You will provide financial support to Property Managers, prepare financial documentation for client meetings, produce year-end service charge accounts, and assist with the annual budgeting process. The role requires excellent technical accounting knowledge, strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced property environment.
Key Responsibilities Prepare annual service charge accounts in accordance with lease agreements and statutory requirements.
Provide financial support and guidance to Property Managers across a portfolio of residential and mixed-use developments.
Prepare financial reports and supporting documentation for client meetings.
Assist with the preparation of annual service charge budgets and budget reviews.
Liaise with Property Managers, clients, external accountants and auditors to ensure the timely completion of year-end accounts.
Calculate void costs for partially occupied developments and manage VAT liabilities on mixed-use and VAT-elected sites.
Manage Right to Manage (RTM) financial handovers, including reconciliation of financial positions upon appointment.
Respond to service charge queries from clients, leaseholders, auditors and internal stakeholders in a professional and timely manner.
Produce accurate monthly and quarterly financial reports.
Reconcile service charge budgets, expenditure and balance sheet accounts.
Ensure compliance with lease provisions, accounting standards and company procedures.
Identify opportunities to improve processes and contribute to the continuous development of the service charge accounting function.
Support and mentor junior members of the finance team where appropriate.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal departments and external stakeholders.
About You To be successful in this role, you will have:
Proven experience preparing service charge accounts, ideally across large or complex residential or mixed-use developments (typically portfolios with 15 or more schedules).
Strong knowledge of service charge accounting principles, lease obligations and financial reporting.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence leading meetings and presenting financial information.
Exceptional attention to detail with excellent organisational and time management skills.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency across the Microsoft Office suite.
The ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
A proactive, customer-focused approach and the confidence to work collaboratively with Property Managers, clients and external stakeholders.
Experience working within the property management, residential or real estate sector.
Desirable Studying towards or qualified in AAT, ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent professional accounting qualification.
Experience of mixed-use developments, VAT accounting and RTM handovers.
What We Offer You'll be joining a market-leading organisation where you'll work alongside some of the best professionals in the property management industry. In return, you'll receive a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including:
27 days' annual leave, plus all Bank Holidays.
Free Healthcare Cashback Plan, allowing you to claim back the cost of everyday healthcare expenses including optical treatment, dental care, physiotherapy and GP charges (up to generous fixed limits), plus access to 24/7 remote GP services.
Sponsorship towards professional qualifications, including study support and up to four paid study days per year.
Company pension scheme with employer contributions matched up to 7%.
Life assurance cover of four times your annual salary.
Access to Our Place Rewards , offering hundreds of discounts from leading retailers, cashback on online purchases, in-store vouchers, reloadable e-cards and a wide range of exclusive offers through Places for People Group.
A supportive, collaborative working environment with genuine opportunities for career development and progression.
Jackson Sims Recruitment, specialists in Real Estate, covering Block & Estate Management, Property Management (AST), Build to Rent (BTR), Facilities Management, Concierge, PBSA and Financial & Accounting Services, operating in London and throughout the UK. Should you be a candidate or client working in Real Estate, we have a multitude of recruitment services that can be tailored to you.
TPBN1_UKTJ