Job Introduction
We’re seeking a good communicator with housing finance experience to join us as Rent and Service Charge Accountant.
We have more than 11,000 council properties and our Housing Finance Team works closely with council housing services in a range of areas, from regeneration to home ownership. This means we get involved with many different projects; for instance, we’re currently building hundreds of new council properties in Bletchley as part of a wider regeneration programme. Every day is different.
As Rent and Service Charge Accountant, you’ll collaborate with colleagues to help ensure that our homes are safe, and costs are fully recovered for the services we provide, so that funds for future investment decisions are secured.
This role is ideal for someone with experience of setting rents and administering service charges in either a local authority or a registered provider and enjoys the challenges it brings.
This role is may suitable for home working, following an assessment.
Interviews will be held on 14 May.
Milton Keynes is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk
Main Responsibility
- Lead on setting rents for Social Housing Tenants, temporary accommodation, and other categories of potential Tenants, ensuring full compliance with government rent setting policies and directions from the Regulator of Social Housing, such as the Rent Standard.
- Lead on and complete the estimated service charge process for tenants, leaseholders and shared owners from the calculation of charges to ensuring correct details are included in notifications to residents and these are printed and posted.
- Lead on and complete the actual service charge procedure, including the issuing of annual certified service charge certificates and statement of affairs for Leaseholders. Understanding of Major Works accounts would be beneficial.
- To be the point of contact for tenants, leaseholder, shared owners, internal and external auditors with any costing queries/audits.
- Actively promote Tenant and Leaseholder engagement around the service delivery and standards of services where the service is funded by way of service charges.
- Be inquisitive and challenging with the ability to apply innovative and creative thinking to service challenges within a fast-paced environment.
The Ideal Candidate
- Experience of setting rents and service charges for a Local Authority or Registered Provider
- Methodical, organised with attention to detail.
- Has good communication skills to engage with residents and colleagues from across the Council.
- Excellent spreadsheet skills and ability to undertake complex financial modelling using a different data sets and systems (financial, case management etc.).
- Qualified accountant (CCAB) or in final year (with a commitment to finish) and evidence of appropriate CPD.
- Experience of housing management IT systems and the ability to work with neighbourhood teams and IT teams to maximise the use and understanding of rent accounting applications.
- Please note, should you be offered the role, as part of the pre-employment checks a Basic DBS will be actioned for you.
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
