Sonesta Looking for Director of Finance at Fort Lauderdale, FL Full Time

Job Description Summary

Direct the financial operations of the hotel to ensure the security of the assets of the company maximize the return on assets, while ensuring timely and accurate reporting of results and integrity of the management information systems in a decentralized accounting environment.

Job Description

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage day-to-day operations and assignments of hotel Accounting staff, plan and organize work, communicate goals, and schedule/assign work. Advise staff of formal policies and procedures, identifying options and resolving issues. Recommend and/or initiate salary, disciplinary, or other staffing-related actions in accordance with company rules and policies. Alert management of potentially serious issues.
• Ensure all staff members are properly trained and have the tools and equipment needed to effectively carry out their job functions.
• Ensure integrity and efficiency of computerized data processing functions.
• Prepare the financial statements within the corporate closing schedule timeline and in accordance with Sonesta Policies and Procedures, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI).
• Manage receivables, payables, credit, payroll, cash handling and treasury functions with the accounting department. Implement and maintain acceptable accounting practices and procedures as required by company policy and procedures, generally accepted accounting practices, and as effected by local conditions.
• Assist in completion and review of monthly forecasts and annual budgets prepared by hotel management team to ensure that owners, the General Manager, and Sonesta Corporate Management are provided with guidelines of performance that are both reasonable and achievable.
• Continuously monitor economic, social and governmental trends and policies to ensure the General Manager and Sonesta Corporate Management are kept fully apprised of any implications that may affect the performance of the hotel in meeting its financial objectives.
• Prepare financial analyses of hotel operations including variance explanation and make recommendations to ensure the achievement of business goals/targets.
• Use financial analysis, data trends and market information to anticipate needs, identify operating/financial issues, and recommend actions to maximize financial return. Highlight trends that are likely to shape the wants and needs of internal and external customers of the future; lead the organization in exploring business opportunities that create value for the customer while driving profit.
• Develop and implement financial control procedures and systems; ensure compliance to all Company internal controls and Sarbanes-Oxley (Sox) 404 key controls for the protection of the hotel’s assets against loss or misappropriation.
• Ensure adequate communication and compliance of hotel personnel with the Company Code of Ethics.
• Maintain documents for audits of hotel accounts; ensure compliance with government regulations; federal, state and local laws; and contractual agreements. Independently comply with record retention requirements.
• Create the annual operating budget for the property and provide analytical support during budget reviews to identify cost saving and productivity opportunities for property managers
• Analyze ROI capital projects prior to committing funds and upon completion determine if anticipated results were achieved.
• Prepare accurate cash flow statements and projections, and maximize cash flow performance of the hotel through controls on inventory, credit and collection, disbursements, deposits and remittances.
• On a monthly basis prepare timely and accurate sales, use and occupancy tax returns as well as any other government or other external reports or returns as deemed necessary.
• Ensure all legal, treasury, and tax documentation is properly maintained and secured, and that all statutory and fiscal reporting requirements are satisfied, which includes any governmental requirements for obtaining business permits and licenses.
• Ensure adequate insurance coverage is maintained, and third party contractors provide certificates of insurance with adequate coverage, to protect the assets of the hotel with particular attention to the requirements contained in the Sonesta hotel management agreement.
• Ensure compliance with the hotel’s Sonesta management agreement and attendant legal documents. Understanding how those documents translate into financial responsibilities and how they may effect both the hotel’s and Corporate’s financial position.
• Enforce, document and establish adequate controls for all revenue and expenses and protection of assets, and ensures controls will satisfy or improve the level of guest service.
• Serve as member of Executive Committee/Management Team, and work with other Sonesta executive and management personnel to establish and implement hotel service standards to achieve maximum profitability and efficiency.
• Respond quickly to guest requests in a friendly manner. Follow up to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Distribute outlook and forecast information as an up to date management tool for operating departments
• Participate in local recognized professional and industry organizations
• Review rates and recommends rate strategy to the General Manager; participates in sales strategy meetings
• Review of operating equipment stores to avoid unnecessary/excessive purchases and to eliminate (or at least be aware) of obsolete slow moving items
• Ensure all accounts are reconciled on a monthly basis, review and approve those reconciliations
• Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments. Key departmental contacts include hotel department heads in all departments, and Regional Controller to obtain/provide information. Interact with outside contacts:

o Guests – to provide service, send bills and collect payment

o Vendors – to pay bills or discuss pricing or billing issues; to ensure proof of insurance

o Accounting staff – to coordinate financial/accounting information, budget preparation, clarify issues and resolve problems.

o Regulatory agencies – regarding compliance matters

o Other contacts as needed (Professional organizations, community groups).

• Conduct daily pre-shift meetings and departmental communication meetings.
• May serve as “manager on duty” as required.
• Perform additional accounting management duties as needed or requested such as negotiating hotel space and tenant leases; processing payroll in a decentralized environment; performing asset management duties, displacement analysis.
• May assist with other duties as assigned.

ACCOUNTABILITY:
This is the top Accounting job in a large full service, luxury, or resort hotel. Typically supervises clerical accounting employees in a full range of functions such as Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit/Collections, Purchasing, Audit, Payroll, and/or Accounting Operations.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:
Computer and printer, telephone, pen/pencil, photocopying machine, file folders, filing cabinet, and facsimile machine.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Interior of hotel, in normal office conditions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or equivalent and 4-8 years in hotel accounting or audit with at least one year in an Assistant Controller or similar supervisory role, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience. CPA preferred. Must speak English fluently. Other languages preferred.

This job requires ability to perform the following:

• Carrying or lifting items weighing up to 25 pounds
• Communicating with other people

Other:

• Mathematical skills, including basic math, budgeting, profit/loss concepts, percentages, and variances are utilized frequently.
• Problem solving, reasoning, motivating, organizational and training abilities are used often.
• Reading abilities are used often in reviewing financial analyses, budgets, and other related reports. Writing abilities are used in compiling these financial reports, as well as to document.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.

SONESTA CORE GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
Our Purpose: To add value to the lives of the people with whom we interact

Our Core Principles:
Operate with Integrity and ethics

Value our Employees as Individuals

Provide service with passions

Exceed customers’ expectations

Exceed owners’ expectations

Employee/Leader G.U.E.S.T. Hospitality Behaviors:
Greet or welcome everyone, warmly with a smile, including children

Use eye and ear contact and guest’s name during interactions

Establish/anticipate needs; be knowledgeable about hotel area; offer services with enthusiasm and commitment

Solve and own all requests/complaints and follow up to completion

Thank everyone, establish an interest in guest’s satisfaction, and invite to return or offer further services.

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the essential nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be ALL responsibilities or qualifications of the job.

Additional Job Description

Benefits

Sonesta recognizes that benefits play a vital role in helping ensure the health and financial security of employees and their families. We offer a variety of benefits to our employees including:

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account with Company Match

401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match

Paid Vacation and Sick Days

Sonesta Hotel Discounts

Educational Assistance

Paid Parental Leave

Company Paid Life Insurance

Company Paid Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance

Various Employee Perks and Discounts

Upon submitting your application, please ensure you complete a full application in addition to attaching a resume. Incomplete applications received will not be considered.