Client Accountant

The Encore Property Management Group specialises in the ongoing management of large residential developments, including the effective administration of +£50m of client service charge budgets. Based in Cambridge and with offices in London, Sandhurst, Peterborough and Nottingham, Encore works across East Anglia, London, the Home Counties, the South and the Midlands, and has plans for further growth. The Group also consists of separate Facilities Management and Legal businesses, employing over 250 people. Encore prides itself on a commitment to excellence and customer service.

Due to continuous and considerable growth we now require a Client Accountant to join the business. The Client Accountant is part of the New Business and Technical Team within the Client Accounting department. It is responsible for the effective financial management of a portfolio of estates, including residential, commercial and those which are phased in their management. The role forms a vital part of the team, working closely with the Estate Management and Business Development teams and will also require regular interaction with external accountants plus some client correspondence.

Responsibilities:
In all areas, you will need to ensure that company policies and procedures are consistently applied to the required standards, delivering on time and with a high degree of accuracy. Duties include but are not limited to:

Prepare end of year service charge accounts within agreed timeframe, before submitting to external Accountants for review
Produce monthly/quarterly management reports, for review with Estate Managers and clients, analysing the expenditure vs budget, arrears and cashflow position, producing a summary report
Manage the finances of the commercial estates within Encore’s portfolio, including accounts preparation, issuing of budgets, rent remittances to landlords, and VAT returns
Monitor the general health and correctness of the service charge accounts associated with your portfolio, supporting Estate Managers with relevant information
Monitoring the CHP Billing process, reconciling the Utilities Recharge funds, liaising with the billing agents, ensuring all fees raised accurately and on time
Reconcile opening balances for estates handed over from other agents/developers
Ensure annual service charge budgets are accurate and loaded correctly with correct apportionments
Periodic billing of service charges, ground rent and other charges to leaseholders
Utilities and insurance recharging to leaseholders
Raise void service charges to developers
Manage and record completion cheques from new lessees
Monthly bank reconciliations for client estates
Corporation tax administration
Answering and assisting the Estate Manager with client enquiries in a timely fashion
Handle referred leaseholder service charge queries to resolution via either telephone or e-mail, or escalate to relevant Estate Manager
Following up actions from AGM Minutes and directors meetings
Assist the Client Accounting & Finance teams with day to day / adhoc duties

Qualifications

2+ years accounts experience
AAT qualified
Experience in service charge client accounting
Experience with Qube softw4are (desirable)

Skills

Excellent time management, prioritisation and diary management
Excellent numeracy/analytical skills and competency in dealing with financial information
Excellent communication skills – letter writing and the written and verbal presentation of information
Excellent computer skills – Proficient in all Microsoft programmes, particularly Excel, and competent in mail merging.
Excellent Team Working – Ability to build working relationships with employees across the organisation.

What we offer:

23 days annual leave + bank holidays + your birthday off each year (or closest working day)
Holiday purchase scheme
Long service holiday award
SmartHealth online health service available for you and immediate family
Perkbox rewards
Cycle to work scheme
Pension
Financial qualification support
Eye care vouchers
Hybrid working available

Apply now

Please send your CV and a covering letter to: careers@encoregroup.co.uk