Service Charge Accountant

Location: Cambridge (Hybrid, with optional London office access)
Salary: £35,000 - £38,000
Contract: Full-time, Monday-Friday

Highlights:

• Rare opportunity for practice-trained accountants to transition into property management, or for service charge professionals to join an established firm managing £20m+ in client budgets
• Hybrid working with flexible office locations between Cambridge and London, designed around your commute
• Structured study support for part-qualified accountants pursuing CIMA/ACCA/ACA, plus comprehensive benefits including birthday leave, holiday purchase scheme and PerkBox rewards

About the opportunity

A specialist property management group is seeking a Service Charge Accountant to join their Client Accounting team in Cambridge. This role supports the financial administration of large residential developments across East Anglia, London and the Home Counties, working closely with Estate Managers to deliver accurate budgets, year-end accounts and quarterly reporting.

The position offers genuine progression for accountants seeking exposure to property management, whether you're coming from practice or already working within service charge accounting. With responsibility for managing complete estate portfolios and direct interaction with external accountants and clients, you'll develop specialist knowledge in a sector that combines technical accounting with property expertise.

What makes the role exceptional

This position sits within a growing group of over 200 employees, offering the stability of an established business with continued expansion plans. The hybrid working model recognises modern working preferences whilst maintaining the collaborative benefits of office-based teamwork.

The role provides unusual flexibility for property management positions-practice-trained accountants are actively welcomed, with full training provided on service charge specifics. For those already in service charge accounting, the scale of operations (£20m+ budgets) and quality of portfolio offer significant professional development.

Study support demonstrates genuine commitment to your qualification journey, whilst the benefits package-including birthday leave, holiday purchase options and comprehensive wellbeing provisions through Smart Health-reflects investment in employee satisfaction beyond salary alone.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and load annual service charge budgets with accurate apportionments across leaseholder portfolios
• Process periodic billing for service charges, ground rent and additional charges
• Complete year-end accounts within agreed timeframes before external accountant review
• Conduct monthly bank reconciliations and produce quarterly management reports analysing expenditure versus budget
• Monitor portfolio financial health, supporting Estate Managers with relevant accounting information
• Manage utilities and insurance recharging, plus corporation tax administration
• Respond to leaseholder and client enquiries via telephone and email, resolving queries or escalating appropriately
• Support the wider Client Accounting team with day-to-day operations and project work

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' accounts experience in any sector
• Part-qualified status in CIMA, ACCA or ACA (actively studying)
• Service charge accounting experience advantageous but practice background equally welcomed
• Strong capability with accruals, prepayments, account preparation and budget management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and mail merge functionality
• Excellent numeracy and analytical skills for interpreting financial data
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities for client-facing correspondence
• Effective time management and prioritisation skills across multiple estate portfolios

Rewards and benefits

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Study support for professional qualifications
• Pension scheme and life assurance
• Holiday purchase scheme allowing additional annual leave
• Smart Health wellbeing programme
• Birthday leave entitlement
• PerkBox employee discount platform
• Regular team social events
• Long service recognition awards
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee referral programme

We are an equal opportunities recruiter, valuing diversity and inclusion and welcoming applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background.

Ready to take the next step?

This role offers the chance to build specialist expertise within a sector that combines technical accounting with property knowledge. Whether you're seeking to move from practice into industry or progress your service charge career, you'll join a team managing substantial portfolios with genuine support for your professional development.