Revenue & Service Charge Accountant

Bridgwater, Somerset
Homes in Sedgemoor

What’s the role?

You will:

• Provide an effective, efficient and modern management accounting function in support of revenue budget holders in an efficient and effective manner.
• Establish and maintain efficient procedures to calculate service charges in line with Somerset Council’s service charge policy.
• Provide expert advice and support to both internal and external customers on financial issues.
• Report to the Director of Finance and Performance

What will I have to do?

Revenue Responsibilities:

• Effectively consult and support budget holders to prepare annual budgets in line with strategy for your areas of responsibility.
• Produce budget profiles in consultation with budget holders and reconcile information loaded into the financial reporting system for your areas of responsibility.
• Prepare monthly management accounts for your areas of responsibility in consultation with budget holders, ensuring year to date and year end forecasts are reasonable and that spend is in line with contract standing orders and other regulations.
• Production of full monthly management accounts in liaison with the management accountant for review by the Director of Finance and Performance.
• Production of quarterly Value Added TAX (VAT) return for approval by the Director of Finance and Performance, reconciling control accounts accordingly.
• Maintain sufficient record of all savings made through procurement activities to demonstrate Value for Money activity.
• Provide clear, impartial financial advice to budget holders.
• Ensure that the financial reporting system presents a true reflection of the financial position.
• Assist with the training and development of budget holders on financial management.
• Assist with developing the management accounting function to include automated reporting and training.

Service Charge Responsibilities:

• Maintain records to enable calculation of customer service charges, to include leaseholder invoices.
• Assist relevant managers in consulting tenants about service charges in particular when service charge statements and budgets are produced, and when increases are proposed.
• To be the initial point of contact for service charge enquiries
• To be the lead coordinator of customers wanting to purchase their homes through the Right to Buy Scheme.
• Engage across the organisation to ensure that leaseholder services are joined up.
• Respond to queries from residents about any aspect of their service charge or rent in accordance with HIS policies and procedures; to include attendance at meetings and formal consultations some of which may be outside of normal working hours.
• Work across the organisation to maximise service charge income to offset against service charges to customers.
• Production of annual leaseholder service charge estimates, actual charges and major works invoices.
• Effectively consult and support budget holders to obtain sufficient information to calculate accurate service charges.
• Manage deadlines to support the calculation of service charges.
• Assist with developing the service charge module within Open Housing

What do I need to be successful?

• Member of, or training for membership of, a professional institution (ICAEW, CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA)
• Well-developed IT skills, particularly with MS Office products, and the ability to learn new systems quickly.
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively with other teams across the organisation.
• High degree of problem-solving skills.
• Ability to apply your skills to motivate, support, influence and organise work in order to deliver high quality services.
• The ability to network and develop strong partnership working.

How will I evidence my success?

• I will

• Display and demonstrate behaviours that reflect our Values and put Customers First.
• Contribute and be proactive at 121s, team meetings and other forums attended.
• Successfully meet agreed key performance indicators and reporting deadlines.
• Develop positive and productive working relationships both internally and externally with relevant colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Identify and support the management of risk and health and safety associated with my service area.