Holly Beckett
Accounts Manager

What are your main duties and responsibilities?

I am responsible for maintaining organised bookkeeping records to capture all the company’s financial transactions. I manage and reconcile these records using accounting software. I also track VAT-related income and expenses and prepare quarterly VAT returns for the business. At the end of the year, I work with an accountant to ensure that our end-of-year accounts accurately reflect our financial state.

Crucially, I handle our incoming and outgoing payments. I collect rental payments from tenants and address late payments by sending reminders. I’ll keep accurate records of this process to support legal action if this is needed. Plus, to ensure compliance with the necessary legal requirements, I will collect security deposits and ensure these are transferred to a deposit protection scheme.

I ensure that landlords and contractors are paid promptly, following the agreed-upon payment schedule or terms and subtracting any applicable fees or expenses, such as maintenance or repair costs, from the rent collected. I’ll provide landlords with monthly statements that include a breakdown of their rental income, deductions, outstanding balances, and any relevant notes. Upon request, I will also provide annual tax summary reports for each property or landlord to assist with their tax filing.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I manage the financial side of our business. This means collecting rent from our tenants and allocating the amounts that are owed to landlords and contractors. It’s my role to ensure that everyone is paid on time and according to their agreements. This is my priority each day. I will also handle email enquiries throughout the day, whether they come from landlords, tenants, contractors, or other members of the team. Then, at the end of the day, I reconcile the incoming payments with the amounts paid out to ensure accuracy and identify any discrepancies or errors that need to be resolved.

How long have you worked for Pure Lettings?

I joined the Pure Lettings team in 2023.

What do you love about your job?

I love learning about the industry, it keeps me interested and helps me learn new things outside of just accounting. Being part of a great team is important to me because we work together, share ideas, and support each other to overcome challenges. It feels good to be part of a group of people who help each other out. Plus, when you enjoy spending time with your team it creates a positive and enjoyable work environment.

What do you enjoy about working with clients?

Every client’s rental account is different; they each have their own unique (and sometimes complex) issues that need to be resolved. This makes it a highly rewarding feeling to come up with a solution that benefits our clients and leads to a positive outcome. It also means that no two days are ever the same because there’s always something new and exciting to tackle.

Do you hold any qualifications or accreditations that are relevant to your role?

I hold AAT qualifications which have given me a solid foundation in accounting and finance. These covered key areas such as financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, auditing, and financial management.

How did you get into the industry?

I have always had a strong interest in the banking industry and started my career in the accounting department of a bank. I received training in this position to become an accountant, taking two AAT exams to gain the necessary knowledge and skills. However, after some consideration I decided to change my approach and pursue an apprenticeship instead. This allowed me to build hands-on investment banking experience, working across a number of different banks for a total of 7 years.

My priorities changed after I had my first child and I decided to change direction by becoming the bookkeeper for my husband’s business. I’ve been doing this for more than 15 years and the flexible schedule has allowed me to create a much better work-life balance. As my children have grown older I’ve been able to dedicate more time to working toward my professional goals and developing new skills. Joining the team at Pure Lettings has been a huge aspect of this, as it has allowed me to apply my skills in a different setting and to face new challenges.

What are the most important skills for your role?

• Analysing figures

It’s so vital to gain valuable insights from financial data and make informed decisions.

• Looking for discrepancies

It’s important to identify errors, detect fraud, ensure compliance, and maintain trust and transparency.

Tell us a ‘fun fact’ that people won’t necessarily know.

Trevor and his dog Ted are best buddies, and you’ll always find them hanging out together. Guess what? I have a dog from the same litter – Coco. They may be siblings, but they couldn’t be more different. Ted is calm and laid back, while Coco is a ball of energy. She’s always running around and keeping everyone on their toes!

Where do you live?

I live in Pratts Bottom, Orpington. I love having a peaceful setting and sense of community without feeling isolated from local amenities. I get to enjoy the tranquillity of village life without sacrificing convenience.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Myself, my husband, and our two boys are all big rugby fans. You’ll often find me cheering them on from the sidelines as they play. As well as our passion for rugby, we enjoy going on leisurely walks in the woods with our dog and hosting BBQ gatherings with friends and family.