Client Accountant / Property Accountant

Job description

About the Firm

Brown&Co was formed in 1993 following a management buyout from Royal Life Estates.  Since then the firm has grown substantially and today we are a leading provider of agency, professional and consultancy services across the whole range of rural, commercial and residential property, agriculture and the environment.

From an increasing network of offices throughout East Anglia, the Midlands and the Yorkshire and Humber region, as well as overseas, we combine a high level of specialist technical expertise with experience and local knowledge.

The firm has a real commitment to build strong, proactive, and long-term relationships with both corporate and private clients, for whom we always strive to deliver the best results and total satisfaction.

Our well trained and enthusiastic staff are encouraged by the partners to play an active part in the firm's future development and success.

Overview of Role

The role of Client Accountant is to provide accurate and timely financial reports, maintain strong financial controls, and support the efficient financial management of client property portfolios.

Responsibilities

Reporting

• Prepare regular financial reports for clients, including key summaries such as trial balances, service charge budgets, and VAT calculations
• Ensure timely submission of statutory reports to relevant authorities, such as HMRC and RICS
• Provide ad hoc financial reports as required by surveyors, legal advisors, or other stakeholders

Financial Oversight

• Regularly track and analyse the financial performance of client portfolios, ensuring prompt resolution of any discrepancies or issues
• Complete essential reconciliations of control accounts, ensuring accuracy and timely completion
• Monitor funding and cash flows, addressing any shortfalls or funding requirements promptly
• Ensure all recoverable costs are invoiced to clients and tenants in line with agreed timelines
• Implement and follow internal financial controls in line with established policies and frameworks

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with finance colleagues and surveyors, participating in meetings to discuss and address any outstanding issues
• Coordinate effectively with teammates to distribute workload efficiently and meet deadlines
• Foster strong working relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders, including clients and surveyors
• Support senior management in developing and refining processes within the client accounting team to achieve excellence in service delivery

Issue Resolution and Support

• Handle day-to-day queries from clients and tenants, providing clear and timely resolutions
• Assist in the seamless transition of new properties and clients into the portfolio and manage the exit process as required
• Undertake additional accounting tasks that may be required to support the broader management of client properties

Requirements

Financial Acumen

• Understanding of accounting principles specific to property management, ensuring all financial transactions and reporting are accurate and compliant with regulations
• Advanced proficiency in Excel (including data tools like pivot tables and formulas) to manage complex financial data
• Experience in property management systems is desirable.

Attention to Detail and Analytical Skills

• A meticulous approach to tracking and managing financial data with a focus on precision and clarity
• Ability to identify discrepancies quickly and provide efficient resolutions
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills:
• Confident in liaising with clients, tenants, and internal teams, providing clear advice and addressing queries with professionalism
• A team player, capable of supporting colleagues while managing individual workloads

Organisational and Time Management Skills

• Ability to prioritise tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment, ensuring that deadlines are consistently met
• Proactive in identifying issues and implementing solutions to prevent delays or errors
• AAT qualification (or working towards) is essential.
• Strong knowledge of property accounting practices.
• Proficiency in Excel and other Microsoft office applications (Word, PowerPoint and Outlook)
• 3-5 years’ experience in property or client accounting

Finding the right people is important to us and transferrable skills are always welcome.  We value potential and are open to candidates who may not have every listed skill.

Our Benefits

• A generous holiday scheme starting at 25 days holiday increasing by 1 day each year to 28 days after 3 years of service.
• Life Assurance of 4x your basic salary
• Salary Sacrifice Pension scheme
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, adoption and shared parental leave benefits
• Holiday Buy Back Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Westfield Health Cashplan
• 1 Volunteering Day for your chosen charity each year.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and do not tolerate discriminatory behaviour of any kind, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Core working hours are Monday – Friday 9.00am – 17.30pm.

This is a permanent full-time position based on 37.5 hours (Monday – Friday) however we’re open to discussing flexible working requirements. We also operate a hybrid working policy.