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- Tasks: Manage service charge accounts, budgeting, and financial reporting for a social housing charity.
- Company: SW9 Community Housing, a resident-led charity making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a chance to impact local housing.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for community engagement and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team and help improve housing services for residents.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified or qualified accountant with experience in service charge accounting.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Stockwell, London, SW9
Salary: £50,000 Per annum
Job Type: Full Time, Permanent
About SW9 Community Housing
SW9 Community Housing is a resident‑led social housing charity responsible for the delivery of housing management and maintenance services for around 1,800 homes and several commercial and community buildings in Stockwell/Brixton on behalf of a G15 Housing Association, Sovereign Network Group (SNG).
About The Role
We are seeking a detail‑oriented and experienced Service Charge Accountant to manage and oversee all financial activities related to service charge accounts. The successful candidate will ensure accurate budgeting, timely reconciliation, and compliance with relevant regulations for service charge funds, primarily within a residential property portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
- Budgeting & Financial Reporting
- Prepare and reconcile annual service charge budgets and actuals.
- Produce and issue year‑end service charge accounts in line with lease agreements and statutory guidelines (Landlord and Tenant Act 1985).
- Manage and report on reserve funds, ensuring correct contributions and balances.
- Monitor expenditure, compare against budgets, and post adjustments as needed.
- Provide service charge budgets for new developments at design stage.
- Billing & System Management
- Calculate and issue service charge estimates, actuals, major works charges, and ground rent in line with lease terms and within set timescales.
- Lead on the rent increase process, ensuring accurate calculations and communications.
- Troubleshoot and improve service charge billing systems to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
- Maintain service charge ledgers and ensure accurate postings in financial systems.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Queries
- Liaise with SNG to ensure the bank balance is topped up with the correct amounts.
- Reconcile the individual leaseholder accounts and produce and send out yearly financial statements.
- Handle leaseholder and tenant queries on service charge estimates, statements, and variances.
- Liaise with internal teams (Repairs, Development, Finance) to ensure correct cost allocations and billing for works and new developments.
- Support internal and external audits, tribunals, and court proceedings with required financial data.
- Collaborate with the Leasehold Adviser to improve communication with residents, including welcome packs and service charge handbooks.
- Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and obtain dispensation where necessary.
- Review lease agreements to ensure all service charge elements are captured.
- Identify non‑collectable charges and prepare write‑off documentation as required.
- Conduct Land Registry checks to confirm leaseholder ownership status.
- Engagement & Representation
- Arrange and attend leaseholder service charge meetings and community events.
- Provide input to legal and tribunal cases as required.
- Represent the organisation at First Tier Tribunals and in County Court when necessary.
Experience, Qualifications & Skills
- Part‑qualified or qualified (ACCA, CIMA, AAT) or equivalent relevant experience.
- Possession of or working towards a recognised accounting qualification is desirable.
- Experience in Service Charge accounting and general leasehold management preferable within housing or property sector.
- Experience of creating performance reports and implementing service improvements is desirable.
- Experience of working in social housing or local authority is desirable.
- Knowledge of leases and understanding of the issues of leasehold management.
- Good knowledge of IT and Housing systems including Word, advanced Excel and Outlook.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to support work with customers across a range of circumstances.
- Strong verbal communication skills and the ability to adapt this approach for different audiences.
- Excellent analytical skills to identify a range of issues from information gathered.
- Excellent customer focus and a genuine desire to achieve excellence in all areas of responsibility.
- Excellent numerical skills to calculate estimated and actual service charges.
- Demonstrable knowledge of Section 20 and other leasehold legislation.
- Ability to manage difficult conversations.
- Able to manage and prioritise demanding workload.
- Meet deadlines and KPIs.
- Calm and professional.
- Self‑motivated and personal with a 'can do' approach.
- Seeks opportunities for improvements.
- Actively demonstrates interest in all aspects of the business.
Service Charge Accountant in City of London employer: SW9 Community Housing
Contact Detail:
SW9 Community Housing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Charge Accountant in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the housing and accounting sectors, especially those connected to SW9 Community Housing. Attend local events or online webinars to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of service charge accounting and relevant legislation. We recommend practising common interview questions and scenarios related to budgeting and financial reporting to show you’re the right fit.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your interpersonal skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, highlight your ability to handle difficult conversations and engage with stakeholders effectively. It’s all about making a great impression!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for a smoother process! We’ve made it easy for you to submit your application directly, so take advantage of that and ensure your CV and cover letter are tailored to the Service Charge Accountant role.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Charge Accountant in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Service Charge Accountant role. Highlight your relevant experience in service charge accounting and any qualifications you have. 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 passionate about working with us at SW9 Community Housing. Share specific examples of your past experiences that relate to the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Show Off Your Attention to Detail: As a detail-oriented role, we need to see your attention to detail in your application. Double-check for any typos or errors, and ensure your financial reporting experience is clearly outlined. This will show us you’re serious about accuracy!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at SW9 Community Housing
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Service Charge Accountant, you'll be dealing with budgets and financial reports. Brush up on your accounting principles and be ready to discuss how you would prepare and reconcile service charge budgets. Familiarise yourself with the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, as it’s crucial for this role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
This role involves liaising with various stakeholders, including leaseholders and internal teams. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated complex financial information in the past. Think about how you can adapt your communication style to different audiences.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
You’ll need to troubleshoot billing systems and handle queries from leaseholders. Be ready to share specific instances where you've identified issues and implemented solutions. Highlight your analytical skills and how they’ve helped you improve processes in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Compliance Questions
Understanding governance and compliance is key in this position. Review relevant legislation and be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in your work. Think about any experiences you have with audits or tribunal cases, as these could come up during the interview.