Service Charge Accounting Manager

WE ARE LANDSEC
We identify and shape places that create opportunity, enhance quality of life, and bring joy to the people connected to them.
This is how we’ve created the UK’s leading portfolio of urban places and one of the largest real estate companies in Europe.
Our £10 billion portfolio is built around premium workplaces, the country’s pre-eminent retail platform, and a residential pipeline that will redefine urban life.
We’ve honed this ability over 80 years. Spotting the opportunities, building the partnerships, and continually adapting to shape the places that meet the needs of a changing world.
Places where life happens. Where businesses grow. And where cities are defined.
LOCATION
The role is based in Victoria, London, with the majority of the working week spent in the office and the remainder working from home and / or another suitable Landsec location. Hybrid working arrangements may vary across teams depending on the nature of the role.
THE TEAM
You will join the Service charge accounting team within Group Finance, working closely with colleagues across Finance Operations, Financial Reporting, Commercial Finance as well as our Operations and site teams based at head office and at our shopping centres and office assets across the country. The team sits at the heart of the Finance department and plays a key role in supporting Landsec’s internal and external financial reporting including service charge reporting to customers.
The team culture is collaborative, supportive, and focused on continuous improvement. You will work alongside experienced finance professionals who value clear communication, teamwork, strong analytical skills, and a proactive mindset that embraces accountability and delivers positive change.
THE ROLE
This role plays a pivotal part in ensuring service charge expenditure for our most complex assets is accurately accounted for on a timely basis, robustly governed, and transparently reported utilising systems to create streamlined processes and automation. Working closely with asset management, operational teams and customers, the Service Charge Manager is responsible for overseeing service charge accounting and performance throughout the year, from monthly reporting and budgeting through to year‑end reconciliations. The role supports value‑for‑money outcomes for customers, provides analysis and insight to drive cost control and efficiency, and contributes to the performance and reputation of Landsec’s flagship assets. In addition, the role carries line management responsibility for a team of four junior Service Charge Accountants, including coaching, performance management, and the development of a high‑performing, engaged team. The role also acts as a number two to the Head of Service Charge Accounting.
What makes this role unique?
You will combine technical expertise with people leadership, playing an active role in developing capability, performance, and future talent within the Service Charge accounting team.
You will play a key role in ensuring service charges deliver value for money and transparency for our customers.
You will be tech-literate proactively utilising new systems to streamline, automate and improve current ways of working, challenging the status quo.
You will gain a deep, practical understanding of how large-scale, flagship assets and shopping centres operate, from day‑to‑day expenditure through to long‑term planning.
You will work on some of the UK’s most iconic retail and mixed‑use destinations (e.g. Bluewater), giving you exposure to complex, high‑profile assets.
You will build strong partnerships with asset management, property management, operations and other internal and external stakeholders, influencing decision‑making across the business with the ability to positively challenge.
You will contribute to enhancing trust with customers and well‑governed service charge processes.
You will be part of a team that plays a meaningful role in the performance, reputation and long‑term success of our flagship assets.
PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES
Lead and develop a high‑performing junior team, setting the standard for ownership, professionalism and continuous improvement within the Service Charge Accounting function.
Set clear expectations and standards, embedding a culture of ownership, accountability, continuous improvement and customer focus.
Lead by example and role model positive, growth mindset leaning into challenges with a can do attitude
Build strong, credible relationships with internal stakeholders, acting as a trusted advisor on service charge matters and influencing decision‑making through expertise, insight and constructive challenge.
Act as a role model for proactive leadership, professional judgement and collaborative working, setting the tone for high standards and constructive partnership across teams.
Drive system optimisation and process improvement initiatives, consistently championing new tools, controls and ways of working to improve efficiency, insight and data quality.
Take full accountability for ensuring service charge expenditure is accurately, consistently, and timely accounted for throughout the year.
Prepare and post monthly Service Charge expenditure accruals, prepayments and asset-specific journals
Review Service Charge expenditure vs budget and challenge where appropriate, to drive cost efficiencies
Produce monthly variance reports, analysis and insight as well as conduct variance meetings with internal stakeholders identifying risks and opportunities
Play an active role in supporting the timely preparation, review, and monitoring of service charge budgets, including data preparation, analysis, and stakeholder engagement in accordance to agreed SLAs.
Proactively partner with the Operations team to ensure life cycle replacements and forward funding projects are accurately accounted for throughout the year and in the budget
Take full accountability for accurate and timely year-end reconciliations of Service charge expenditure and calculation of balancing charges to customers
Pro-actively assist internal stakeholders to respond tenant queries and support expenditure reviews
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Proven experience of leading and managing a high performing team, driving accountability, high performance, and consistent delivery against expectations and deadlines.
Strong and proactive problem‑solving capability with the ability to challenge and improve processes
Agile and flexible, consistently champion new systems and ways of working
High level of accountability and ownership of deliverables and outcomes
Demonstrated ability to critically evaluate information and existing processes, and confidently challenge ways of working to drive successful outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to manage detail pragmatically, balancing accuracy with efficiency and business priorities.
Resilient in the face of challenges and adversity whilst demonstrating integrity and courage through decision making.
Strong understanding of accounting principles, including the accurate recording and interpretation of financial transactions.
Strong understanding of budgeting and variance analysis
Attention to detail and analytical skills with the ability to distil complex information concisely
Effective Business partnering skillset and ability to build strong stakeholder relationships working collaboratively with cross functional teams
Able and passionate about mentoring and supporting junior team members
Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver to challenging deadlines
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) across all levels of the organisation
Advanced Excel skills
PowerBI experience desirable
Understanding of Service charge accounting is desirable but not essential as training will be provided.
#INDHP
Life and Benefits at Landsec
We have a great benefits package, there to support you with your work-life balance and in moments that matter. We offer fantastic Learning and Development opportunities to help you grow and reach your potential and we also play our part in supporting the communities where we live and work.
Below are some of our core benefits, make sure to visit our My Total Reward page for more information.
Performance based annual bonus plan
25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) rising to 27 days after 2 years and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days each year. Enjoy an additional three-day December festive break on top of your leave and a special ‘My Day’ to take off for whatever you choose.
Enhanced pension contributions – Landsec will contribute up to 10.5% subject to your contribution.
Private medical insurance, Health Cash Plan, Life assurance and income protection.
Enhanced maternity, adoption, shared parental leave policies (view our Family policies page for more details)
Two different share plans enabling you to share in the success you will help to build
Up to 4 working days to volunteer per year and 'Give As You Earn