Some Thoughts on Being a Strata Manager
A short Q & A about working in strata management …
Strata managers get a bad rap [whether deserved or not] from many strata stakeholders. But, what’s it like being a strata manager, and, is it something you’d want to do as your job? So, here’s a start on a Q & A on ‘being a strata manager’.
[6.25 minutes estimated reading time, 1255 words]
Introduction
I was recently contacted by a South African who was thinking of relocating to Australia, was interested in becoming a strata manager here, and, had some questions about it.
His questions prompted me to think about the role and work of strata managers from a different perspective: the perspective of the person doing that work rather than from the perspective of those who deal with strata managers like strata buildings, strata committees, strata owners, service providers, regulators, etc.
And, although I’ve worked in strata for more than 30 years with more than a thousand strata managers and have some clear views about being one, I’m not actually a strata manager myself. So, before answering his questions, I asked an experienced strata manager I know for his views to add to and improve the answers. So, thanks to David Gluck of Fitzroys in Melbourne for his assistance.
Here are the questions we were asked and the answers we provided in the form of a notated Q & A.
Plus, since I’m sure there are plenty of strata managers who also have opinions about these things, I welcome them to send me their own answers to these questions so I can add to and update this Q & A. Or, why not suggest a question and answer of your own by sending your thoughts to me at my email at Francesco @ GoStrata Stak.
If there’s enough interest and feedback, I’ll do a regular Q & A update of ‘On being a Strata Manager’.
On ‘Being a Strata Manager’ Q & A
Here are 6 questions and the answers from me and David Gluck on ‘being a strata manager’.
1. Am I correct in understanding that in order to work as a Strata Manager, it is only in New South Wales that I have to register with Fair Trading / Consumer Affairs?
Francesco says:
Each Australian state has different requirements to work as a strata manager. They range from full licensing [such as in NSW] to simpler registration and insurance requirements in other parts of the country [like in Victoria], to no restrictions at all in a few other states.
In most of Australia, there are some training requirements for membership of the strata manager peak bodies and/or to work for some strata management businesses.
2. Do you recommend that I undergo a training course in Strata Management upfront before I apply for a job in the industry? I know that the Strata Community Association provides the necessary courses.
Francesco says:
Yes, training is a good idea. And, in some states, it is necessary to complete minimum education requirements to be licensed or certified. Plus, strata management is a specialist activity that involves, at a minimum, knowledge of the following things and competence in the following skills:
Strata title laws that govern the operation of managed buildings
The existence of other laws that apply to managed buildings [but not necessarily how they work]
Basic building structure operational and maintenance requirements
Basic accounting
Basic project management
Basic business communication
Basic people and conflict management skills
Time management
David says:
As the available training courses are not a prerequisite for an entry-level position, I would suggest waiting until you have worked at least a few months in the industry before undertaking a course. The benefits of this are that you will be able to apply the course material to your practical experience and you will also be able to discuss the course and assessments with colleagues. It is also common for employers to fund the cost of these courses.
3. What are the employment opportunities as a new Strata Manager with experience from abroad? I am really interested in pursuing a career in the industry in Australia. Either as a Strata Manager or as an Accountant.
Francesco says:
There is a shortage of strata managers throughout Australia, so I expect there are plenty of employment opportunities. For instance, my strata contacts regularly ask me if I know strata managers looking for a job. Plus, I’ve written a number of times about the small number of strata managers that exist in Australia compared to the increasing number of strata buildings, strata apartments and strata owners and residents like my observation no. 2 in the article ‘7 + 3 Insights into 2020 Australian Strata Data: What does the updated data tell us about strata title trends ...’.
David says:
The key skills required to manage strata-titled property should be transferable from abroad. Given there is a high demand for strata managers and trust accountants, you should be well-placed to secure an entry-level position. Positions are regularly advertised on Seek.com.au and through recruiters that specialise in the strata industry.
However, entering the strata industry from abroad would require learning new legislation and building a network of consultants and contractors you can rely on. This is why an entry-level position initially would be appropriate.
4. What are the employment opportunities as an Accountant in the Strata industry with experience from abroad? I have both Strata Manager and Accountant experience from New Zealand and South Africa.
Francesco says:
See the answer to question 3. But, I’d say a strata manager with accounting expertise is more employable than one without since they will have a better understanding of financial matters, records and reporting. Additionally, since a good strata manager needs high attention to detail to ensure strata operations compliance, those characteristics of accounts should help.
Plus, there seem to be quite a few accountants and ex-accountants working as strata managers which suggests that they both like working in the sector and are suited to the work.
5. I am eligible for the CPA Australia programme based on my Accounting degrees and am a registered Associate General Accountant (SA) with the South African Institute of Accountants. Do you believe that it be to my advantage to pursue the CPA designation should I wish to keep my options open to work in the Accounting side of the Strata industry?
Francesco says:
Yes, that seems obvious to me. Provided [of course] you like being an accountant.
6. What is the work-life balance like in the Australian Strata industry, excluding the standard after-hour meetings?
Good, in my opinion, since there is generally flexibility in working hours and locations [especially since working from home has become increasingly common]. So, many strata managers can organise their work schedules largely as they want.
But, many strata managers complain about the following things in their work [which actually seem to me like the things all employees in service firms face]:
Too many emails
Too many phone calls
Overloaded workdays [especially after heavy rain]
Complaining strata owners
Night meetings
Repetition [as the same issues come up repeatedly]
Lack of support at work
So, it’s not all fun and games.
David says:
I think it all depends on the company you work for and what you want to achieve.
Conclusions
It’s interesting to look at the strata sector and the role of a strata manager from the perspective of someone looking to work in that position as it reveals many less obvious things, such as:
the attractive employment opportunities that exist,
the kinds of skills and aptitudes that better suit the work,
that there are low entry barriers in most parts of Australia,
the potential challenges with work-life balance in the work, and
the absence of a clear career/employment path from beginner to senior management roles.
What do you think about being a strata manager?
January 24, 2022
Francesco ...