We are partnering with a well-capitalised commercial property investor and asset manager with a rapidly expanding UK platform. Backed by institutional capital and operating across a diversified portfolio of retail, industrial, office and mixed-use assets, the business continues to scale its operational and asset-management capabilities. As Head of Service Charge Accounting, you will lead the service charge function across the portfolio, ensuring best-in-class governance, transparency and operational control while acting as a key interface between finance, property management and asset management teams.
Why Join?
* Platform Scale & Complexity:
Join a sophisticated property business managing a large, multi-sector portfolio where service charge accuracy and governance are business-critical.
* Strategic Visibility:
Operate in a senior leadership role with direct exposure to asset management, property management and senior finance stakeholders.
* Operational Influence:
Play a central role in driving service charge best practice, cost control, compliance and tenant confidence across the portfolio.
* Growth Environment:
Be part of a business investing heavily in systems, people and processes, offering scope to shape and modernise the service charge function.
Key Responsibilities
* Own and lead the end-to-end service charge accounting function across a national commercial property portfolio.
* Oversee the preparation, review and sign-off of service charge budgets, forecasts, accruals and year-end reconciliations.
* Ensure full compliance with RICS Service Charge Code of Practice, lease terms and statutory requirements.
* Act as a senior business partner to asset management and property management teams—providing insight on recoverability, cost efficiency and operational risks.
* Manage external managing agents and internal teams to ensure consistency, accuracy and timeliness of service charge reporting.
* Lead the response to tenant queries, audits and disputes, providing clear explanations and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships.
* Drive process improvement, automation and systems development across service charge accounting and reporting.
* Oversee service charge cash management, balance sheet control and reconciliation of service charge funds.
* Build and develop a high-performing service charge team, setting clear standards, controls and performance expectations.
Candidate Profile
* Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or demonstrably qualified through experience in service charge accounting.
* Extensive experience in service charge accounting within commercial property (retail, office, industrial or mixed-use).
* Strong working knowledge of RICS Service Charge Code of Practice and complex lease structures.
* Proven leadership capability, with experience managing teams and influencing managing agents and senior stakeholders.
* High level of technical accuracy combined with a commercial, solutions-focused mindset.
* Strong systems experience (e.g. MRI, Yardi, Horizon, TRAMPS or similar property management platforms).
* Confident communicator with the ability to manage tenant-facing issues and challenge constructively where required.
This role presents a rare opportunity to take ownership of a critical finance function within a high-growth, institutionally backed property business. With strong senior exposure, portfolio breadth and the chance to shape service charge strategy and standards, it is ideally suited to an experienced service charge leader seeking both influence and long-term progression.