Senior Management Accountant

Hours: 40 per week

Location: Harrogate

VervLife is a subsidiary of Homes for Students and is a market leader in the build-to-rent (BTR) sector managing BTR accommodation on behalf of its clients.

As experts across the Build-to-Rent and Co-living project journey, we know how to make our client’s assets outperform through our intelligent, creative advice from the earliest phases of a project and into operational management.

Put simply in fact, we simultaneously strive to improve the wellness, health and happiness of our residents whilst they are living with us, as well as enhancing the value of our client’s investments.

We are looking for an experienced Senior Management Accountant who will have responsibility to ensure the accuracy and delivery of all aspects of client reporting, owning client P&Ls and financial packs, while helping support the business through its future growth.

The position will require strong technical skills, an approach to continuous improvement and providing the highest level of internal and external customer service. The job holder will be expected to harness a working environment which encourages teamwork, energy and creativity.

Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• To ensure the monthly management accounts, balance sheet lead schedules and cashflow forecasts are produced and submitted within the agreed client reporting deadlines.
• Can provide insights into profitability, liquidity, and identify opportunities for improvements.
• To ensure any other client contractual requirements are delivered and support with client annual statutory audits.
• To review and approve client annual operating budgets and forecasts with the VervLife operations team before presentation to the client, helping identify any corrective actions once into a budget year to help stay on track.
• To attend Client meetings and lead from a Finance perspective and complete any actions arising.
• To ensure Financial Regulations, standard operating procedures and controls are always maintained.
• To ensure the team provide the highest level of customer service both to our internal and external stakeholders.
• To act as a business partner between Finance and other departments to ensure consistent and joined up ways of working.
• To ensure compliance with any statutory returns or accreditation requirements that arise e.g. Client Money Audit and VAT.
• Strive to automate where possible, add insightful commentary, use of advanced technology, and drive better decisions for VervLife and our clients
• Management and development of one Assistant Management Accountant.
• Part of the Finance senior team reviewing overall Finance department initiatives and helping lead the wider team.
• Support on ad-hoc tasks and reporting.
• To support and maintain best practice regarding GDPR.
• To keep up to date with industry initiatives to enable best practice to be adopted.

Skills (includes Key Competencies)

• Strong financial, analytical modelling and problem-solving skills.
• Proven experience with the MS package and financial programs and software.
• Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing. Not only being comfortable in any situation presenting financial information but, explaining complex financial concepts in a way that is easily understandable.
• Ability to successfully handle several priorities simultaneously, maintain composure in high pressure situations and maintain objectivity, focus and good judgment.
• To promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Able to understand all commercial aspects of contracts.
• Excellent presentation, attention to detail and ability to complete tasks.
• Be able to effectively delegate work in line with operational priorities and needs.

Personal Qualities

• Commitment and enthusiasm to VervLife and its work understanding we are an SME within a much larger Group structure.
• As an SME, roles are broad, giving our employees scope to engage across many areas of our business. This role would suit someone comfortable being hands on with many aspects of finance processes and given large amounts of autonomy in what is a key position in the team.
• Commitment to quality in all aspects of service delivery to our clients.
• Commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to communicate and engage with personnel across the company and with the client’s own teams.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently with minimum guidance, confidence in taking the initiative, making decisions and consulting as appropriate.
• Willing to be flexible and respond to changing circumstances.
• Demonstrate a flexible and positive ‘can do’ attitude and to become quickly established to add value to the business.

Experience and Qualifications

• A qualified Accountant, ACCA, ACA, CIMA or QBE with 5+ years of relevant management accounts experience.
• Experience of working within all a variety of areas of the finance function.
• Thorough knowledge of a finance package (Xero an advantage but not mandatory).

No role profile can be entirely comprehensive and you will be expected to be flexible and carry out other duties as required from time to time. This is on the understanding the duties will be within the individual’s capability and are consistent with the level and responsibilities of the role.

Security

It will be necessary to undergo enhanced DBS clearance prior to your commencement of employment.

Vision, Mission and Values

As well as being qualified for the post, all staff will need to have empathy with Our Vision, Our Mission and Our Values