At a Glance
- Tasks: Calculate and manage service charges while ensuring compliance and transparency for residents.
- Company: Join Soha Housing, a community-focused housing association making a difference.
- Benefits: Supportive work environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a friendly team dedicated to creating vibrant communities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community by helping residents understand their service charges.
- Qualifications: Strong numeracy, IT skills, and excellent communication abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Reporting to the Head of Sales & Home Ownership, you will be supported by the Service Charge Team Leader to ensure the accurate calculation, setting, administration and reconciliation of service charges, ensuring compliance with lease agreements, legislation and regulatory expectations whilst delivering transparent and customer‑focused services to residents.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare annual service charge budgets for leasehold, shared ownership and rented schemes.
- Work closely with operational teams (repairs, estates, planned maintenance, home ownership) to ensure costs are accurate and reasonable.
Key Duties
- Ensure all relevant service charge expenditure is captured and apportioned in line with Soha’s service charge policy.
- Collect all necessary data, entering it into spreadsheets checking for reasonableness, and highlighting anomalies to the Service Charge Team Leader.
- Ensure that communal electricity supply and cleaning service provision in blocks is captured and recorded as per agreed terms.
- Ensure that grounds maintenance charging is allocated fairly and proportionately.
- Liaise with third‑party management companies, checking that charges are reasonable and correct, building good working relationships.
- Produce accurate service charge statements and send them out on a timely basis.
- Ensure that all controls in areas of responsibility are working effectively and reconciled on a regular basis.
- Assist with service charge audits, both internal and external.
- Liaise with the Development team to ensure service charges for new‑build properties and acquisitions are set up correctly.
- Actively seek views of customers to ensure continuous improvement of the service and to meet the changing needs of residents.
- Undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required.
Required Qualifications
- Excellent numeracy, financial and IT skills with a particular focus on Excel.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work in a team environment as well as self‑manage.
- Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
- Ability to write reports and maintain records appropriately.
- Good analytical skills.
Nice to Have
- Experience with the social housing sector, or in a finance team.
- Experience of using Sage.
- Experience of using QL, or a similar housing management system.
The Company
Soha Housing is an award‑winning, community‑based mutualised housing association working in and around Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties, providing homes and services for affordable rent and shared ownership properties. With exciting changes in the way we’re working, we are now expanding our team. If you are interested in joining a friendly, supportive organisation and share our vision for strong, vibrant and sustainable communities, where everyone can find a home, we’d like to hear from you. We put people at the heart of our decisions, which are made with humanity. We are constantly learning and restless about excellence, incentivising curiosity, and acting to make things better as we learn from every experience. We take ownership of our work and lead from the front. We strive for honesty, clarity and kindness in all our relationships, treating feedback as a gift to help staff, residents and communities fulfil their potential. We operate with fewer, better rules, valuing simplicity, good judgement and responsibility.
Service Charge Advisor employer: Soha Housing Limited
Soha Housing is an exceptional employer that prioritises community and employee well-being, offering a supportive work environment in the heart of Oxfordshire. With a strong focus on personal growth and continuous improvement, employees are encouraged to develop their skills while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance the lives of residents. The company fosters a culture of transparency, kindness, and collaboration, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in the social housing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Charge Advisor
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
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Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Soha Housing Limited. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Charge Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Soha Housing Limited.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Soha Housing Limited's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Soha Housing Limited
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Soha Housing Limited.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Soha Housing Limited will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Soha Housing Limited employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
