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- Tasks: Manage service charge accounts, budgeting, and financial reporting for a social housing charity.
- Company: Join SW9 Community Housing, a resident-led charity making a difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £50,000, full-time role with opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Engage with residents and stakeholders in a dynamic and supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact in social housing while developing your accounting skills.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified or qualified accountant with experience in service charge accounting preferred.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Stockwell, London, SW9
Job Type: £50,000 Per annum, 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.
About you:
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.
Full details of the role profile available on request.
Please click on the APPLY button to send your CV for this role.
Candidates with the experience or relevant job titles of; Property Finance Accountant, Service Charge Finance Specialist, Accounts Coordinator, Qualified Accountant and Leasehold Accounting Analyst may also be considered.
Service Charge Accountant 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the housing and finance sectors. Attend local events or webinars related to service charge accounting. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching SW9 Community Housing. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your skills align with their needs. Tailor your responses to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but for the organisation too!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family. Focus on common questions for accountants and be ready to discuss your experience with service charge accounting and compliance. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at SW9 Community Housing.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Charge Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your service charge accounting experience and any relevant qualifications to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Service Charge Accountant role. Share specific examples of your past work that align with our needs, and don’t forget to show your enthusiasm for joining SW9 Community Housing!
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, keep your language clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
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've managed service charge accounts in the past. Be specific about your experience with budgeting and reconciliation.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Legislation
Understanding the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and other relevant legislation is crucial. Make sure you can explain how these laws impact service charge accounting and how you've ensured compliance in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You'll need to liaise with various stakeholders, so be prepared to demonstrate your interpersonal skills. Think of examples where you've effectively communicated complex financial information to non-financial audiences or resolved tenant queries.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Prepare scenarios related to service charge discrepancies or difficult conversations with leaseholders. Think through your approach and how you would handle such situations professionally.