Senior Management Accountant in Harrogate

Hours: 40 per week

Location: Harrogate

VervLife is a subsidiary of Homes for Students and is a leading provider in the build‑to‑rent sector. As experts across the Build‑to‑Rent and Co‑living project journey, we help our clients’ assets outperform through intelligent, creative advice from the project’s earliest phases into operational management. We simultaneously strive to improve residents’ wellness, health and happiness while enhancing the value of our clients’ investments.

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced Senior Management Accountant who will ensure the accuracy and delivery of all client reporting, owning client P&Ls and financial packs, and supporting the business through its future growth. The position requires strong technical skills, a commitment to continuous improvement, and delivery of the highest level of internal and external customer service in a teamwork‑oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities / Accountabilities

• Produce monthly management accounts, balance sheet lead schedules and cashflow forecasts within agreed client reporting deadlines.
• Provide insights into profitability and liquidity, identifying improvement opportunities.
• Deliver all other client contractual requirements and support statutory audits.
• Review and approve client annual operating budgets and forecasts with the VervLife operations team, identifying corrective actions as needed.
• Attend client meetings, represent Finance, and complete arising actions.
• Maintain financial regulations, standard operating procedures and controls.
• Ensure the team delivers outstanding customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Act as a business partner between Finance and other departments for consistent ways of working.
• Ensure compliance with statutory returns or accreditation requirements such as Client Money Audit and VAT.
• Automate processes where possible, add insightful commentary, use advanced technology, and drive better decisions for VervLife and its clients.
• Manage and develop one Assistant Management Accountant.
• Contribute to the Finance senior team’s initiatives and help lead the wider team.
• Support ad‑hoc tasks and reporting.
• Maintain best practice regarding GDPR.
• Stay current with industry initiatives to adopt best practice.

Skills (includes Key Competencies)

• Strong financial, analytical modelling and problem‑solving skills.
• Proven experience with the MS package and financial programs and software.
• Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing; comfortable presenting complex financial concepts understandably.
• Ability to manage several priorities simultaneously, remain composure under pressure, and maintain objectivity, focus and judgment.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Understand all commercial aspects of contracts.
• Excellent presentation and attention to detail; ability to complete tasks.
• Effectively delegate work in line with operational priorities and needs.

Personal Qualities

• Commitment and enthusiasm to VervLife and its work, recognising we are an SME within a larger Group.
• Comfortable with broad roles and many finance processes, operating with large autonomy in this key position.
• Dedication to quality in all aspects of client service delivery.
• Commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to communicate and engage with colleagues across the company and within client teams.
• Self‑motivated, able to work independently with minimal guidance, confidence in initiative, decision‑making and consultation.
• Willing to be flexible and respond to changing circumstances.
• Demonstrate a flexible and positive ‘can do’ attitude, establishing quickly to add value.

Experience and Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or QBE) with 5+ years of relevant management accounts experience.
• Experience across a variety of finance function areas.
• Thorough knowledge of finance packages (Xero an advantage but not mandatory).

No role profile can be entirely comprehensive; you will be expected to be flexible and carry out other duties as required, provided they are within your capability and aligned with the role’s level and responsibilities.

Security Enhanced DBS clearance is required prior to commencing employment.

Vision, Mission and Values

All staff must embody our Vision, Mission and Values.