Senior Property Accountant

Department: Accounts

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Company: Canary Wharf Limited

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Reporting to: Financial Controller - Operations

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JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Property Accountant is responsible for delivering accurate and timely service charge accounting across an allocated portfolio of commercial and residential properties within the Operations segment. The role has a strong focus on preparation and review, ensuring that journals, reconciliations, reporting schedules and supporting analysis are completed to a high standard and in line with the quarterly close timetable.

Reporting to the Finance Manager - Operations, the role will contribute to quarterly management reporting by preparing and reviewing the underlying financial information, explaining movements and ensuring all required journals are posted before close. The Senior Property Accountant will also manage and develop three Property Accountants, providing day-to-day direction, review and technical support.

The successful candidate will work closely with building and estate management teams, Finance colleagues and other operational stakeholders to deliver reliable service charge information, resolve issues promptly and support continuous improvement in the quality and efficiency of the team’s outputs.

Salary: £62,000 - £66,000 (depending on experience)
Working Pattern: 4 days in office / 1 day WFH

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage, coach and develop three Property Accountants, setting clear priorities, reviewing work and supporting their ongoing development.

• Prepare and review service charge budgets in conjunction with building and estate managers, and ensure approved budgets are accurately input into Yardi.

• Prepare and review monthly service charge budget vs actual reporting, investigate variances and provide clear commentary for review by the Finance Manager and Operations stakeholders.

• Own the accounting close process for the allocated portfolio, ensuring all journals, accruals, prepayments, recharges and other adjustments are posted by the relevant deadlines.

• Contribute to quarterly management reporting for the Operations segments by preparing reporting schedules, commentary of balances and movements as well as preparing balance sheet reconciliations.

• Coordinate the year-end reconciliation of service charge budgets to actual expenditure, supporting completion within three moths of year end, and the timely issue of balancing charges or credits.

• Prepare and review reconciliations and recharges for tenant direct recoveries and landlord void costs. Ensure tenant enquiries relating to service charge are investigated and answered promptly, accurately and with appropriate supporting information.

• Prepare information and supporting schedules for auditors and the Financial Accounts team, responding to follow-up queries as required.

• Provide day-to-day technical guidance to Property Accountants on service charge accounting, lease interpretation and the practical application of relevant RICS and ARMA guidance.

• Work with colleagues across Operations and Finance to resolve accounting queries, improve the quality of source information and support efficient ways of working.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications and Experience:

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or overseas equivalent), or qualified by experience with directly relevant property accounting expertise.

• Practical experience of commercial and/or residential service charge accounting Proven experience of managing and developing finance teams, including the leadership of qualified and part-qualified accountants.

• Experience of preparing and reviewing month-end or quarter-end journals, balance sheet reconciliations and management reporting schedules.

• Experience of supervising, reviewing or developing junior or part-qualified finance team members.

• Experience of working with lease structures, property management arrangements or a multi-entity real estate environment would be advantageous.

• Experience of Yardi would be beneficial.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong accounting and analytical skills, with close attention to detail and the ability to identify and resolve discrepancies.

• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with large volumes of financial data.

• Ability to organise the close process for an allocated portfolio, manage competing deadlines and deliver complete, accurate outputs on time.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information to non-finance stakeholders.

• A practical, collaborative and solutions-focused approach, with the confidence to challenge information constructively and follow issues through to resolution.

• Ability to review the work of others, provide clear feedback and support the development of Property Accountants.

• Commitment to improving reporting quality, standardising ways of working and making effective use of technology.

• Act with integrity and deliver high performance
• Put our customers at the heart of what we do
• Resolve issues by providing high quality solutions

Foster Collaboration

• Find opportunities to collaborate with others across the business to achieve shared goals
• Encourage inclusive networks and treat others with respect and fairness
• Use knowledge to work effectively with suppliers / contractors to meet shared goals

Encourage Engagement

• Confident in making decisions appropriate to the role
• Learn from mistakes and listen to constructive feedback to improve performance
• Prioritise safety and actively support community, wellbeing and sustainability programmes

Take Ownership

• Take pride in delivering high quality service which exceeds expectations
• Committed to opportunities for self-development
• Take responsibility for my own performance and look for ways to improve

Embrace Innovation

• Embrace change and innovation
• Proactively suggest ways to improve our business and encourage others to share ideas
• See new challenges as opportunities to deliver effective change

WHAT WE OFFER

Diversity and Inclusion

We recognise the importance of embracing diverse experience, skills and perspectives at all levels and operating in an inclusive working environment, in order for everyone to reach their full potential. We also recognise that it makes business sense, since being an inclusive employer leads to better business performance and higher levels of employee engagement and satisfaction. We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skills and are committed to fostering a culture whereby everyone can reach their full potential.

Flexible Working

As an inclusive employer, we recognise the positive impact flexible working can have on an individual, their wellbeing, engagement and productivity. Therefore, we are open to consider flexible working arrangements, both temporary or permanent.

Learning and Development

At Canary Wharf Group, our employees receive a wide range of support to help improve their skills and achieve their career goals. We offer development opportunities through classroom and e-learning training, mentoring, cross department experience and on the job learning. We heavily invest in our staff attaining accreditations to develop existing and new skills, support chartered status, sponsorships and provide further educational opportunities which are job and business related. We never stand still and continually invest in developing skills and knowledge to ensure individual and company growth.

Other Benefits

We are committed to building a safe, happy and healthy community for our employees and we offer a comprehensive range of benefits, all designed with our employees and their wellbeing in mind. From generous pension and insurance plans, to health benefits, subsidised gym membership, store discounts and family leave, our benefits package allows our employees to choose the benefits that suit them and their individual needs.

If you are interested in joining our highly professional and skilled team for our next exciting phase of development, please complete the form on this page to apply online.

Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to appoint at any point.