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- Tasks: Manage landlord communications and prepare accurate rent payments for our Travel UK retail estate.
- Company: Join WHSmith, a globally recognised brand with over 230 years of history and a diverse team.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 24 days holiday plus your birthday off, and study support.
- Why this job: Be part of an ambitious team in a vibrant London office, fostering innovation and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Qualified or part-qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) with at least 2 years of industry experience.
- Other info: Perfect for self-motivated individuals who thrive in fast-paced environments.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Assistant Cost Accountant – Rent role at WHSmith
Join to apply for the Assistant Cost Accountant – Rent role at WHSmith
We have a fantastic opportunity for an Assistant Cost Accountant reporting into the Senior Occupational Cost Accountant to join our talented Finance team based in City of London.
The main purpose of this role is to manage the Landlord mailbox for our Travel UK retail estate, liaise with Landlords, prepare timely and accurate weekly and monthly rent payments with explanation of drivers prior to approval by Travel UK Finance Director, production of actual payments v contractual payments on an IFRS16 basis and to support improvement to processes through automation to tighten control of our single biggest expense line.
The ideal candidate for this role will have strong communication and organisational skills, have attention to detail and thrive on seeking out efficiencies to improve processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Methodically clear, respond and manage the Travel UK rent mailbox on a daily basis – an average of 150 emails received in the mailbox per day
- Validate all invoices from Landlords with the Contract lease database and turnover statements prior to processing for internal payment
- Prepare accurate and timely payment schedules for authorisation by Travel UK Finance Director
- Submission of weekly BAC’s and monthly CHAPS payments to contain explanation of drivers of payment
- Maintain payment file and log all contractual changes ie RPI/rent changes
- Payment details to be broken down against lease conditions
- Communicate and build a positive relationship with c100 Landlords assisting them with queries, payment dates and reconciliation of historic amounts
- Production of monthly Airport & Hospital Statements which are shared externally and used to support the creation of monthly CHAPS payment schedules.
- Production of monthly contractual payments expected from MRI (Group IFRS16 lease database) to actual payments. Variances to be summarised
- Responsible for ensuring timely payments to Landlords including reconciliation of statements and track against weekly forecast
- Posting of Business rates with data provided by third party and support to Contract Manager on provision of data for rate appeals
- Preparation of Audit Certificates
- Support Business Development with rent/contract queries and provision of information to make informed decisions
- Support rent automation project to identify process improvements and to identify efficient ways if working
- Adhoc analytics on bespoke initiatives and support to the Business Development team
Key Relationships
- Build a strong relationship with all Landlords to ensure payments made timely and accurately and ensure all general queries are resolved.
- Work with Business Development in response to any queries/data they require
- Work closely with Finance shared service to ensure payments meet deadlines
- Work with external third party who manage Rates on behalf of the business and Contract Manager
Key behaviours
- Self-motivated and able to work independently
- A strong communicator; building credible relationships both external and internal customers
- Extremely organised and methodical to ensure accurate payments are made at all times
- Attention to detail is paramount to ensure accurate data is always produced and maintained
- A team player and flexible where necessary in order to meet deadlines
- The ability to prioritise conflicting deadlines and time management when responding to external emails and managing the mailbox.
- Capable of operating in a changing and fast-moving environment
- Qualified or part-qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) with minimum 2 years industry experience or strong record keeping experience.
- Strong excel skills, use of sharepoint and ability to manipulate large volumes of data
- Understanding of IFRS16
What we can offer you
- Annual bonus based on company and personal performance
- Hybrid working model from home and in the office
- 24 Days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays
- Finish at 4pm on a Friday
- Study support
Who we are
Celebrating 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 11,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve. For UK Travel our mission is simple – to create value for our stakeholders by providing a platform for global brands responsible for essentials and technology in airports (including our InMotion stores), hospitals, rail stations and other markets. Our office is based in a buzzing part of central London close to Liverpool Street Station. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture at all levels. It’s perfect for people who are happy to use their initiative and embrace life outside their comfort zone.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Associate
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Accounting/Auditing, Finance, and Analyst
-
Industries
Retail
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Assistant Cost Accountant - Rent employer: WHSmith
Contact Detail:
WHSmith Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Cost Accountant - Rent
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with IFRS16 regulations, as this role heavily involves understanding these standards. Brush up on how they impact lease accounting and be ready to discuss your knowledge during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Demonstrate your organisational skills by preparing a mock schedule of payments or invoices. This will show your ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively, which is crucial for this position.
✨Tip Number 3
Build a strong understanding of the retail landscape, particularly in travel and airport environments. Being able to discuss current trends and challenges in this sector can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your communication skills by role-playing scenarios where you need to liaise with landlords or internal teams. This will help you feel more confident in articulating your thoughts clearly and building relationships.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Cost Accountant - Rent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in accounting and finance, particularly any roles that involved managing payments or liaising with external parties. Emphasise your attention to detail and organisational skills.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the Assistant Cost Accountant role at WHSmith. Mention specific responsibilities from the job description, such as managing the Landlord mailbox and preparing payment schedules, and explain how your skills align with these tasks.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you are qualified or part-qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA), make sure to mention this prominently in your application. Also, include any relevant industry experience or strong record-keeping skills that demonstrate your capability for the role.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since the role requires building relationships with landlords and internal teams, provide examples in your application of how you've successfully communicated and collaborated in previous positions. This will help illustrate your fit for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at WHSmith
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Assistant Cost Accountant, you'll be dealing with a lot of financial data. Brush up on your knowledge of IFRS16 and be prepared to discuss how you would manage rent payments and validate invoices. Showing that you understand the financial principles behind the role will impress your interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Attention to Detail
This role requires meticulous attention to detail, especially when managing the Landlord mailbox and preparing payment schedules. Be ready to provide examples from your past experiences where your attention to detail made a significant impact on your work.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You'll need to build strong relationships with around 100 Landlords, so highlight your communication skills during the interview. Share specific instances where you've successfully resolved queries or built rapport with clients or colleagues.
✨Prepare for Process Improvement Discussions
The job involves supporting automation projects and identifying process improvements. Think about any previous experiences where you've contributed to efficiency gains in your work. Be ready to discuss your ideas on how to streamline processes in the role you're applying for.