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About the Role

The Senior Property Accountant is responsible for delivering accurate and timely service charge accounting across an allocated portfolio of commercial and residential properties. The role focuses on preparation and review, ensuring journals, reconciliations, and reporting are completed to a high standard within the quarterly close timetable. This position contributes to quarterly management reporting by preparing and reviewing financial information and explaining movements. The Senior Property Accountant will also manage and develop three Property Accountants, providing direction, review, and technical support. Collaboration with building and estate management teams, Finance colleagues, and operational stakeholders is key to delivering reliable service charge information and resolving issues.

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 months 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.

Requirements

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.
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.
All staff are required to fulfil their legal duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others.
All staff members must understand and adopt the company's ESG Strategy into their respective roles.
All staff are mandated to comply with system requirements as detailed within the Company Quality Manual & Policies.
Ensure the effective implementation of all Procedures, Plans, and Forms within our Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) to meet the ISO 9001: Quality Management Standard.

Skills

Service charge accounting
Financial analysis
Budgeting
Reconciliation
Management reporting
Auditor support
Technical guidance
Lease interpretation
RICS guidance
ARMA guidance
Excel
Communication
Collaboration
Problem-solving
Team development
Quality improvement
Standardisation
Technology utilisation

Location

Canary Wharf

Work Type

Hybrid
4 days in office / 1 day WFH

Experience Level

Senior
Depending on experience

Education Level

Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or overseas equivalent)
Qualified by experience

Salary/Compensations

£62,000 - £66,000

Benefits

Generous pension and insurance plans
Health benefits
Subsidised gym membership
Store discounts
Family leave
Flexible working arrangements
Learning and development opportunities
Classroom and e-learning training
Mentoring
Cross department experience
On the job learning
Support for accreditations
Chartered status support
Sponsorships
Further educational opportunities

About the Company

Canary Wharf Limited is committed to building a safe, happy and healthy community for its employees.
The company embraces diverse experience, skills and perspectives at all levels and operates in an inclusive working environment.
The company recognizes the positive impact flexible working can have on an individual, their wellbeing, engagement and productivity.
Canary Wharf Group invests in employee development through various training, mentoring, and educational opportunities.
The company values excellence, integrity, high performance, customer focus, collaboration, engagement, and innovation.

Equal Opportunity

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.