Tenant Accountant

The Howard de Walden Estate•London, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Finance Department is responsible for the efficient financial management and financial controls necessary to support all business activities, ensuring that the Group complies with all its statutory accounting and taxation obligations, and working with all areas of the business to facilitate the delivery of strategic goals. The Tenant Accountant works in an established team alongside two other members with joint responsibility for the billing and collection of around £180 million of rent per annum. This is a busy role and requires a high level of attention to detail, accuracy, speed and professionalism. The Estate is divided into four strategic portfolios with one member of the team (Service Charge Accountant included) responsible for recording/maintaining property management related matters on the ledger for each portfolio, working closely with the Asset Manager, Commercial Portfolio Manager and Residential Manager for that portfolio.

Requirements

Proven experience of working in a fast paced, process driven property finance department.
A solid understanding of accounting principles.
Experience with year-end service charge reporting.
Highly numerate with good Excel skills.
Ability to interpret leases.
Good system skills, including Microsoft Office 365 applications.
Previous experience of MRI or any other property management system.
Accuracy, attention to detail, consistency and timeliness are essential.
Commitment to delivering excellent customer service to both internal and external stakeholders with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proactive problem solver with the ability to explain financial information clearly and concisely.
Understanding the importance of good data management.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of commonhold and leasehold legislation as well as an understanding of RICS Code of Practice for commercial service charges (desirable).

Responsibilities

Set up and update property, unit and lease records on the property management system (MRI).
Calculate back dated rent and issue rent demands to tenants for lease renewals and rent reviews.
Check and send out all rent and recoverable charges demands and statements.
Daily banking and recording of all receipts, including cheques, cash and standing orders.
Daily Excel-based reconciliation of banking and bank statement movements.
Administer tenant deposits and sinking funds.
Refund overpayments of rents either directly or via the online banking platform.
Calculate late payment interest and raise the necessary charges on tenants’ accounts.
Deal with queries from tenants and liaise with surveyors and colleagues throughout the business.
Record Leasehold Reform Legislation transactions on the property, unit and lease records.
Assist the Service Charge accountant where required with quarterly analysis of service expenditure and assist with the year-end service charge reconciliations. Ensure service charges are accurate and transparent.
Recover utilities costs and any other ad hoc charges on a regular basis.
Assist with calculation and recharge of annual insurance premiums.
Any other ad-hoc duties as required.

Benefits

25 days holiday per year, plus statutory holidays and 3 discretionary days to cover the Christmas office closure.
Private medical insurance with Bupa.
Defined contribution pension scheme with 12.5% employer contributions.
Discretionary bonus.
Life assurance at 7x salary.
Group income protection scheme.
Interest free season ticket loan.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and wellbeing app “Help@hand”.
Cycle to work scheme.
Onsite gym with 7 weekly classes and 2 Wattbikes.
Regular staff socials and an annual company away day.
Free fruit and breakfast cereals.
Enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave policies (12-month qualifying period).
Hybrid working arrangements -minimum of 155 days in the office per year with minimum of 2 days (not fixed) per week in the office.