ICAEW Chartered Accountants

Service charge accounts: a guide for directors

For directors of residents’ and right-to-manage companies: what the accounts involve and how to make year-end smooth.

GuideService charge

General information only, not advice for your circumstances. Please talk to us before acting.

Many residential blocks need two sets of figures: service charge accounts for the leaseholders, prepared under the terms of the lease, and statutory accounts for the management company.

Making year-end smooth

  • Agree a timetable with your managing agent and accountant
  • Keep invoices and bank statements for the service charge account together
  • Record contributions to and spending from the reserve fund clearly
  • Check what your leases require: some need an audit, others an independent accountant’s report

How we help

We act on over 200 residential service charge portfolios and work with managing agents, residents’ management companies and freeholders every day.

Ask us anything

Tell us what you need and we will put you in touch with the right person at ELP.