Job Description

Manage the financial reporting and analysis, hotel accounting, internal controls and audits, metrics, benchmarking and implementation of company financial policies and initiatives for multiple hotels assigned within a geographic cluster. Provide strategic financial support to achieve profit and performance objectives and provide business analysis related to short and long-term budget projections, competitive position and return on investment. Typically oversees 3-5 hotel properties and accomplishes goals and objectives through subordinate accounting managers and staff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Review financial performance of assigned area cluster and its individual hotels, analysis of variances, forecasts and budgets. Coordinate budget issues with appropriate hotel and management staff; manage issues related to hotels’ forecasting. Challenge existing strategies and/or recommend alternate strategies to continually improve effectiveness of the business and/or financial management.
2. Participate with hotel management staff in the development of business plans, financial policies, operating and capital budgets and standardization of hotel processes for all hotels in assigned area.
3. Oversee financial administration activities and standard reporting including internal and hotel audits, working capital reporting, period end reporting packages, annual statement of operations and management agreement synopsis.
4. Provide direction and support to the Finance and Accounting team on balance sheet review, hotel audits, P&L reviews, technical accounting, and financial analysis.
5. Analyze and monitor performance of assigned area through benchmarking, flow through and analyses of key indicators to ensure returns are maximized.
6. Manage financial and control issues and their impact to key stakeholders. Support hotels, management and external owners with routine financial issues, escalating complex or sensitive items to regional management for resolution.
7. Review and monitor the area’s cash flow projections, and hotel and IHG receivables.
8. Ensure the finance departments in hotels are set-up in accordance with local law and uniform system of accounts to ensure uniformity throughout the area, and to safeguard assets and returns and minimize risks. Review Internal Audit reports and progress through hotel visits to ensure maximum internal controls are in place. Provide Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) support for internal controls and ensure compliance of SOX requirements and other applicable regulations within the hotels in the area.
9. Provide emergency assistance and research on fraud remediation/recovery, utilizing local accounting staff at area hotels for assistance.
10. Lead the area’s participation in global finance initiatives; and provide input into the preparation of the long range plan for the division.
11. Coach, train and develop team members; hire, fire, assesses, discipline, document performance, recommend salary and classification changes. Act as advisor to staff to help meet established schedules and/or resolve technical or operational problems.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Annual operating and/or payroll budget(s):

Annual operating revenues vary depending on size and location of assigned hotels

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Management or an equivalent combination of education and work related experience. 6 to 10 years progressive work-related experience in accounting, financial planning or analysis, with demonstrated proficiency in multiple disciplines/processes related to the position, including financial analysis at the Controller level, or direct experience as a Hotel Controller.

This job requires ability to perform the following:

• Majority of work is performed in a normal office or hotel environment.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of time required.
• Carrying or lifting items weighing up to 25 pounds
• Communicating with other people

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrated knowledge of capital projects management standards and techniques and US GAAP regulations and procedures.

• Demonstrated strong financial management skills (i.e. the ability to analyze P&L statements, develop operating budgets, prepare short and long-term forecasts, and champion capital expenditure planning).
• Demonstrated strategic planning skills; ability to translate financial concepts into actionable business strategies and tactics.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and developing people.

1. Demonstrated ability to successfully develop and implement good internal controls, policies and procedures in accordance with SOX regulations.
2. Working knowledge of financial statements and financial principles and the ability to convert them to usage in the hotel industry.
3. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written to address all levels within the organization and ability to gain consensus
4. Demonstrated experience with PeopleSoft and/or Hyperion strongly desired for the purpose of financial reporting, analysis and presentation.
5. CPA preferred

INTERNAL KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• CMH Management – for the purpose of obtaining relevant program and management data to implement within the assigned area
• Hotel management – for the purpose of communicating new initiatives and managing area accounting and finance
• Brand performance staff – for the purpose of implementing/tracking new Brand-related initiatives
• Business Support – for the purpose of standardizing financial processes for the area
• CSS staff – for the purpose of providing and accessing financial reporting and operations data
• Various departments in the area hotels, executives, etc. – to assist in managing risks and opportunities for the area.

EXTERNAL KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Hotel owners, JV Partners, Select vendors, Internal Auditors and External Auditors – for the purpose of managing the area’s relationship with these parties.