Service Charge Accountant

at  The Crown Estate

ADVERT CLOSE DATE: MONDAY 5TH AUGUST 2024

The Crown Estate is a unique business with a diverse portfolio that stretches across the country. Our work touches millions of lives, and we are committed to delivering sustainable, long-term returns, working in partnership to create brilliant places through conscious commercialism.
We are seeking a skilled Service Charge Accountant to manage the service charge accounts for an allocated portfolio of our esteemed assets. This role is crucial in ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of our service charge management processes.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS:

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in service charge accountancy or an advisory position.
• Experience with commercial and residential property types.
• Preferable knowledge of MRI Horizon property management databases or equivalent.
• Desirable experience with reconciliation tools such as Blackline.
• Well-versed in the RICS Service Charge Code & Professional Statement requirements, case law, and precedent.
• Proven experience in managing and implementing best practice processes, procedures, and reporting frameworks.
• Demonstrable history of providing service charge analytics and reporting.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, tracking and reporting progress.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong understanding of the links between data fields, reporting, and financial outputs.
• Willingness to participate in the ongoing development of best practices and process efficiencies.
• Competent in reading and comprehending lease provisions for services, providing reasoned recommendations to surveyors.
  At The Crown Estate, we believe in creating an environment where everyone can thrive. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth. Join us and be a part of a team that values sustainability, innovation, and excellence.
  If you are a dedicated and experienced service charge accountant looking to make a significant impact within a prestigious organization, we would love to hear from you.
  We are a proud disability confident employer and operate the offer of interview scheme Disability Confident employer scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
  We are happy to offer alternative application methods or formats and can be flexible on our process to enable you to have the best opportunity.
  If you have any questions about our recruitment process or would like to talk about adjustments, please contact us on careers@thecrownestate.co.u

• Manage service charge accounts for an assigned portfolio, ensuring all related activities are accurately and efficiently executed.
• Establish and maintain close working relationships with asset managers, property managers, facilities managers, and management accountants to integrate all aspects impacting service charge management.
• Participate in budgeting and reconciliation processes, producing templates and backup data as needed.
• Own and manage capping calculation and apportionment models, keeping them updated with occupancy and building changes.
• Conduct regular reviews of expenditure to ensure accurate postings to cost headings and schedules, including full 6-monthly interim reconciliations.
• Monitor and report on accuracy to enhance business processes.
• Undertake service charge fund reconciliations and support period-end routines.
• Advise management accountants and property managers on the necessity of floats or interim budgets.
• Manage the expense apportionment for electricity and insurance recharges, ensuring risk monitoring and task completion by colleagues and service partners.
• Provide performance reports and insights for your portfolio to aid property management strategy and overall governance.
• Participate in managing non-recoverable revenue budgets, including expense management and reporting.
• Assist in reviewing and optimizing operational efficiency and accuracy.
• Review and advise on lease and capping provisions as required, including cap calculations during lease negotiations.
• Set up and administer sinking and reserve funds as necessary.