Client Accountant

CLIENT ACCOUNTANT

• Chaneys Chartered Surveyors • Competitive • Hybrid - Reading

ROLE OVERVIEW

You will join a friendly, established finance team supporting the delivery of high-quality property management services across Berkshire and the Thames Valley. Based in Reading with hybrid working, you will be the finance partner to our property managers and clients, owning the numbers for a well-defined portfolio and ensuring accounts are timely, accurate and easy to understand.

Working within a close-knit local business that's part of the wider Odevo Group, you'll combine hands-on accounting with genuine relationship management. You will bring clarity to service charge finances, anticipate issues before they arise, and provide the insights that help clients make confident decisions about their buildings.

ROLE EXPECTATIONS

Most days, you will prepare and review service charge accounts, manage reconciliations and cashflow, and produce clear reports for clients and internal stakeholders. You will collaborate closely with property managers, respond to queries with pace and care, and keep year-end processes moving smoothly with auditors and suppliers.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• Your portfolio's service charge accounts are delivered on time, first time, with clean reconciliations and minimal queries.
• Budgets and forecasts are well-prepared, clearly explained and trusted by clients and colleagues.
• Client queries are resolved promptly and professionally, with proactive communication and documented follow-up.
• Bank reconciliations, ledgers and control accounts are up to date, accurate and audit-ready.
• Year-end packs, working papers and audit requests are completed ahead of schedule with clear, complete evidence.
• You spot risks early, recommend practical fixes and drive continuous improvements in processes and reporting.

HOW YOU'LL SPEND MOST OF YOUR TIME

• Preparing, reviewing and finalising service charge accounts and year-end working papers for a defined portfolio.
• Managing bank reconciliations, cash postings, supplier payments and debtor/creditor ledgers.
• Building annual budgets and reforecasts, monitoring variances and explaining results.
• Producing client-friendly financial reports and attending review meetings with property managers.
• Handling day-to-day finance queries from clients, residents, suppliers and colleagues.
• Coordinating year-end audits, responding to auditor requests and implementing agreed actions.

WHO THIS ROLE IS FOR

• You are a detail-focused accountant who takes pride in accurate, tidy ledgers and clear working papers.
• You enjoy partnering with non-finance colleagues and clients, translating numbers into plain English.
• You are organised and deadline-driven, able to balance recurring cycles with ad-hoc requests.
• You bring a calm, solutions-oriented approach and communicate proactively when issues arise.
• You are curious about how buildings are managed and motivated by improving the resident experience.

EXPERIENCE THAT HELPS

• Experience preparing service charge accounts within residential block or mixed-use property management.
• Familiarity with property management or accounting systems and strong Excel skills.
• Exposure to budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis for multi-site portfolios.
• Working with auditors, producing year-end files and responding to queries.
• Handling client communications and explaining financial information to non-finance audiences.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive salary
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Perkbox membership, discounts across retail, travel and entertainment
• Free eye tests
• Fully funded training and professional development, including paid study leave (up to £1,500)
• Employee referral scheme, up to £1,500
• Support for Army Reserve training

ABOUT CHANEYS CHARTERED SURVEYORS

Chaneys is a long-established Chartered Surveying and Property Management business based in Reading, Berkshire, with roots dating back to 1959.

Operating across Berkshire and the wider Thames Valley, we manage residential and mixed-use developments with a strong reputation for professionalism, quality service and long-standing client relationships.

As part of the wider Trinity Property Group and Odevo network, Chaneys combines the stability, investment and opportunities of a larger organisation with the close-knit culture and local expertise of an established regional business.

For employees, this means the opportunity to work within a supportive and collaborative environment where experience is valued, relationships matter and people are trusted to take ownership of their work.

We are committed to delivering high standards for clients while creating an environment where employees can build long-term careers and continue developing professionally.

HOW WE HIRE

• Initial conversation with our talent team
• Interview focused on your technical accounting capability, portfolio ownership, and how you build trusted relationships with clients and colleagues

We aim to complete the process within two to three weeks and communicate clearly throughout.

INTERESTED?

Apply with your CV.

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Documentary evidence of eligibility will be required.