Client Cost Accountant

We are recruiting for Client Cost Accountant on behalf of a leading real estate services firm based in Birmingham.

This role plays a pivotal part in supporting the finance team with client fee management, forecasting, and billing while also providing administrative support for property and team operations.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in fee management within the property sector and exceptional client-facing communication skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Client Fee Management:

• Extract and manage client Cost Plus model data to ensure accurate forecasting, budgeting, and fee raising in compliance with GDPR regulations.
• Oversee monthly accruals and balance sheets for senior stakeholders.
• Generate and process ad hoc billing instructions for fixed-fee work.
• Manage property transitions, coordinating staffing as properties enter or leave management.

Financial Operations:

• Prepare budgets and forecasts, providing clear explanations for variances.
• Conduct quarterly reconciliations to maintain accurate bad debt accounting and ensure timely collections.
• Supervise the end-to-end billing process, including approval logs, fee memos, and corporate debt solutions.

People Management Experience:

• Lead a team to achieve daily objectives and drive continuous performance improvement.
• Foster high-performing teams through one-on-one meetings, coaching, performance reviews, and career planning.
• Clearly communicate team objectives to promote engagement and motivation.
• Support HR processes such as recruitment and monitoring team capabilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Set and monitor clear performance expectations and manage team workloads effectively.
• Address escalated queries, resolve issues, and liaise with senior stakeholders.
• Establish SMART targets aligned with departmental goals.
• Perform root cause analysis to identify areas for improvement and implement system and process enhancements.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Previous experience in fee management within the property sector is highly preferred.
• A qualified accountant (AAT considered if accompanied by relevant experience).
• Proficiency in client communication, problem-solving, and MS Office (particularly formula management in Excel).
• Flexible approach to work, with the ability to commute to Birmingham as required.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to contribute to a dynamic finance team within the real estate industry. If you are motivated by challenges and eager to make an impact, we encourage you to apply!