Partnership Accountant

Who are we

Founded in 1896, Knight Frank was registered as Knight Frank LLP a Limited Liability Partnership, on 3 November 2003, registered in England & Wales at 55 Baker Street, London, W1U 8AN with the registered number of OC305934. Headquartered in London, UK, Knight Frank is one of the world's leading independent real estate consultancies.

We work responsibly in partnership to enhance people's lives and environments in over 50 Markets, 600+ Offices, 20,000+ People, 1 Global Network.

At the heart of all we do are our Clients. A relationship built on trust is vital. As trusted partners in property, we act with integrity and care, understanding our clients' unique needs and consistently thinking about the bigger picture to provide personalised, clear and considered advice across all areas of property.

Through our deep understanding of key markets and sectors - both emerging and established - we are dedicated to meeting and exceeding their property goals.

A true partnership is a balanced one, and our People are passionate about, and committed to, making our business inclusive and diverse. We give every individual the space and opportunity to perform at their best and be recognised for the immense value they bring.

We empower everyone to have autonomy in their role and encourage them to use their voice in how we can make a positive impact as a firm and shape the future of real estate, the built environment and the impact on the communities we serve. Our collaborative and engaged teams provide excellent and dedicated client service.

In our workplace, opinions are respected, everyone is invited to contribute to the success of our business and innovation, and new ideas are celebrated.

In 2021 we celebrated our 125th anniversary and set out Our Desired Future, cemented in three pillars: People Potential, Client Centricity and always Creating our Future, together. Learn more about what sets us apart here.

About The Role

The Partnership Accountant is responsible for the accurate financial administration of partner-related accounting within the firm. This role ensures that partner accounts, capital balances, and tax-related matters are correctly maintained and reported, supporting both internal stakeholders and the wider finance function.

This position plays a key role in ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of partner related accounting and tax matters within a large, complex commercial real estate environment. This role is privileged to highly sensitive financial data and has a close relationship across Business Services functions, Proprietary Partners as well as finance business partners, tax teams and as external auditors.

Key Responsibilities

Partner Accounting & Ledger Management

• Maintain and reconcile member current accounts, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Update and manage partnership accounting ledgers on an ongoing basis.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of partners' capital accounts.
• Calculate and post interest on capital balances in line with partnership agreements.

Tax & Reserves

• Calculate partner tax charges, working closely with the internal tax team to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Maintain and monitor tax reserve ledgers, ensuring appropriate provisions are reflected.
• Assist in responding to partner queries relating to tax calculations and reserves.

Partner Payments & Distributions

• Manage partner payment processes, including:
• Monthly drawings
• Interest on capital
• Profit allocations and distributions
• Current accounts, tax accounts and movements on Capital
• Ensure all payments are processed accurately and in accordance with partnership agreements and timetables.

Retired Partner Obligations

• Calculate and administer retired partner annuities, ensuring correct application of agreed formulas and schedules.
• Maintain records of ongoing obligations and liaise with relevant stakeholders where needed.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyse financial data from multiple sources, including payroll systems and general ledgers.
• Support reporting requirements related to partner finances, providing clear and accurate outputs.

Other duties

• Perform and review balance sheet reconciliations linked to all partner accounting matters, ensuring reconciliations are prepared to a high standard, fully supported, and completed on a timely basis.
• Support external audit processes, including preparing appropriate audit schedules and responding to auditor queries.
• Identify opportunities to enhance data modelling, systems, and controls.

Skills & Experience

Core Requirements

• Solid experience in data modelling within a large, complex organisation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills is essential.
• Familiar with partnership agreements and capital structures is highly desirable.
• Discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive financial information.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with finance teams and partners.
• Experience working in an LLP environment is highly desirable
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to manage multiple priorities to tight deadlines
• Resilient, proactive and solutions-orientated mindset.

Leadership & Behavioral Skills

• Stakeholder management: build effective relationships, ability to engage stakeholders at all levels, through effective communications to non-finance stakeholders.
• Change management: Proven ability to support transformation initiatives and embed sustainable process improvements.
• Collaboration: Build strong cross-functional partnerships in a complex, matrixed organisation
• Resilient & adaptability: Maintain high standards of accuracy, ensuring financial information is reliable and compliant.
• Accountability: take full responsibility for deliverables, ensuring deadlines are met and quality is maintained.

Qualifications

• Essential: 3-5 years post qualified experience within a large complex matrix organisation
• Essential: Qualified Accountant ( ACCA, CIMA)
• Desirable: relevant Tax qualifications such as ATT

Systems and IT Competence

• Systems-savvy with hands on experience using SAP (general ledger, FICO) is desirable
• Advanced level of Excel knowledge for handling large data sets is essential with ability to maintaining complex spreadsheet models

Competitive salary

Please note: this is a Direct Search led by Knight Frank. Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs, even if provided by PSL agencies.