Are you ready to be part of something special? Welcome to Settle, where our brand-new 2030 strategy marks the start of an exciting journey. As we remain committed to delivering exceptional service to our residents, there's never been a better time to join our team. At settle, our colleagues live our values every day, creating a collaborative, kind, trusted, inclusive, committed, and proud community.

Our diverse and growing team prides itself on offering tailored support for both residents and each other, driven by continuous feedback. We're dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone feels confident and supported to be their true selves.

At Settle, colleagues love their work because they make a meaningful difference every day. Our friendly culture creates an environment where everyone can thrive. If you're looking for a place where your contributions are valued and you can truly grow, settle is the perfect place for you.

Here at Settle we are looking for a Rent and Service Charge Accountant for a 12 month fixed term contract.

To be responsible for all rent accounting and reconciling all relevant property expenditure, ensuring it is accurately coded against the correct properties so that service charges are accurately set to reflect the appropriate expenditure being incurred ensuring we are compliant with the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and in accordance with any lease agreement or tenancy agreement held.

Outline of Key Responsibilities...

• Take the lead on rent setting and liaise with housing colleagues to ensure all rents are reviewed and set correctly.
• Understand regulation relating to rent setting.
• Ensure settle is compliant with Regulators rent setting standards at all times.
• Ensure accurate estimation and reconciliation of service charges for existing schemes & new developments to ensure compliance with current legislation.
• To calculate service charges for each agreed cycle within the development programme for review and provide guidance and support to development, ensuring compliance with current legislation. This will include attending new scheme meetings and site visits.
• Ensure all invoices that require verification are passed to group payments in agreed timescales raising any challenges with supplier as soon as possible.
• Responsible for allowable costs to be coded to estates and properties in a timely and accurate manner ensuring that costs are accurately coded to block level and feeding back discrepancies to the relevant departments in a timely fashion.
• Carry out monthly variance monitoring of all property expenditure against income charged.
• To lead on the independent certification of accounts by the External Auditor in accordance with legislation and the legal requirements of the lease and /or agreement for properties in management and subsidiaries.
• Develop effective relationships with the Leasehold and Service Charge Team and external managing agents to ensure all demands and notifications are served in accordance with legislation and the head lease.
• Budgets and year end accounts issued by managing agents are to be scanned and filed on designated shared drives.

We are looking for someone who has...

A basic must!

• Robust knowledge of the Housing Regulators Rent Standard
• An excellent understanding of the 1985 Landlord and Tenant Act
• Obtained an a-level in a numerical subject or proven experience in a numerically focussed role.
• Experience of calculating actual and estimate service charges for a range of tenures.
• Methodical, organised, efficient and effective
• Clear commitment to the importance of excellent customer service
• Attention to detail and good problem solving skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Practical knowledge of word processing and spread sheets
• Flexibility to ensure adherence to tight deadlines

Able to:

• Communicate complex financial information to non-Finance colleagues
• Thrive under pressure and prioritise workload
• Work to deadlines
• Find ways to improve efficiencies and effectiveness
• Make decisions and know when to escalate matters
• Assess and pre-empt information needs of the business
• Consistently looking for ways to better support operational staff, improve reporting, engagement and relationships and understanding of budget holders

Benefits

At Settle, our friendly and hard-working colleagues are proud to be relentlessly resident focussed, and we believe that dedication deserves a stellar benefits package. Here’s what we offer to our amazing colleagues:

• flexible working: hybrid and flexible options available (role-dependent)

• generous leave: 27 days of annual leave, increasing to 32 days with length of service

• family leave: enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave

• pension contributions: up to 10% from Settle

• healthcare cash plan: for your health and wellness

• flexible benefits: cash towards your heath and wellbeing

• development: excellent personal and professional growth opportunities

And that’s just the beginning! We’re also thrilled to provide:

• fresh fruit Mondays: keep your energy up with healthy snacks

• colleague-led campaigns and celebrations: wellbeing weeks and charity bake sales

• volunteering days: 2 paid days to give back to the communities we work in

• secure parking: free onsite parking and bike sheds too!

• local discounts: enjoy perks from our community partners

• mental health support: access to counselling sessions and mental health resources

• feedback commitment: we listen to our colleagues and take action

• shower facilities: perfect for those who cycle to work or hit the gym

• early finish Friday: a kickstart to the weekend!

At Settle, we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. Join us and enjoy the benefits of working in a collaborative, kind, and inclusive environment.

Our Commitment

Our culture at Settle is inclusive and celebrates the differences in everyone. We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of today’s society. We would like to encourage applicants from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from global majority communities.

Accessibility and Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required so you can fully participate in the recruitment process.

Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a Basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.

Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.

We are currently exploring a partnership with Paradigm Housing, please read more here.