The primary responsibility for the Senior Property Accountant is the first review of property and operational reporting completed by the Outsourced Partner for allocated assets across Europe, both Multifamily and Student. This includes a focus on driving accuracy, consistency and best practice across a portfolio of properties and holding the Outsource Partner accountable for delivery. In addition the role should seek to partner with Operations, Asset and Corporate teams to add value through the review process to support achievement of business plans.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Role Responsibilities

• Ensure delivery of accurate management accounts, VAT returns and outsourced services are provided on a timely basis and comply with venture and statutory deadlines.
• Business partner with Operations and Asset Management teams to give analysis of the financial performance of the assets and highlight opportunities for improvement/change.
• Review of financial information applied by the Outsource Partner on accounting system.  
• Engagement of bank level authorisation of payments of service providers and suppliers (second approval in line with delegated authority)
• Review of Bank reconciliations, cash book monitoring and banking duties
• Review of Balance Sheet packs including - accruals, prepayment, and journal postings
• Review reports and supporting schedules including accruals and prepayments.
• First review of month end reporting packs produced by the Outsource Partner, providing feedback and holding them to account for accuracy.
• Review of Operational budget variance analysis, partnering with the Operations teams on the preparation, delivery and timeliness of variance commentary.
• Provide direction and guidance on accounting treatment to the Outsource Accountant at the PropCo and OpCo level for consistency.
• Partner with Investment Accounting team on delivery of financials and commentary, coordination of property valuation postings, annual budgets, and external reports for owned assets and third-party assets.
• Provision of investor information (cash distribution, capital calls) and reporting on 3rd party mandates
• First review of subsidiary audited financial statements prepared by external Partner.
• Prepare property level accounting memos as appropriate.
• Coordinate with Outsource Partner during annual audit process with external auditor.
• Onboarding of new assets - set-up of operational systems, banking platforms etc.
• Completes various financial, accounting, narrative, administrative and other reports and analysis and duties as assigned or necessary for the successful execution of the business plans.
• To constantly develop improvements in quality of information and working practices, within the organisation and with the Outsource Partner.

Key Relationships

• Financial Controller, Operational Quality Assurance
• Finance Manager - Operational Quality Assurance
• Accounts Payable, Operational Quality Assurance
• Outsource Supplier Property Accountants
• Investment Finance team
• Operations & Asset Management Team
  

Knowledge & Qualifications

• Good level of general education with strong written and numerical skills
• Qualified or working toward a qualification in ACCA/CIMA (desirable)
• Accounting foundation background with a thorough understanding of accounting procedures and double entry book-keeping
• Proficiency in Excel and Word. 
• Experience with Yardi (preferred)
• Basic understanding of VAT and Company Structures

Experience & Skills

• Experience of working in a similar role within a fast-paced multi-site business ideally within the Real Estate/ Student / Multi-Family Accommodation sector
• Strong team working and interpersonal skills necessary to build stakeholder relationships with desire to learn, train and develop in the role
• Exposure to Corporate Accounting.
• A positive team player, with an adaptable and flexible approach along with ability to work collaboratively to drive results and support the wider team and business objectives.
• Demonstrated willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities
• Accurate, organised, methodical, deadline focused and committed
• Ability to manipulate and sort large volume of data in excel
• Good communicator, with the ability to review and interpret and present complex financial data.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines and multi-tasking are essential, using initiative to prioritise
• Fluent in other European languages would be useful