Director of Finance

Highgate Hotels - Miami, FL

Full-time - Mid Level

Miami, FL

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

Highgate Hotels is seeking a Director of Finance (DOF) to join our rapidly growing team. The Director of Finance will play a crucial role in providing consistent leadership in the financial area of the hotel, focusing on profitability, accurate financial reporting, and compliance with regulations and internal standards. This position is essential for safeguarding the assets of our owners and investors while ensuring the hotel operates efficiently and effectively. The Director of Finance will be responsible for managing cash flow, preparing monthly financial statements, and monitoring hotel revenues and expenses to ensure they align with Highgate Hotels' established guidelines. In this role, the Director of Finance will create annual budgets and conduct monthly variance analysis, investigating discrepancies and offering practical improvement methodologies to management. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with all regulatory licenses, permits, leases, contracts, and operational taxes, providing assistance to management in enforcing these compliance measures. The Director of Finance will also analyze financial data and operations to assist management in achieving the hotel's financial objectives, ensuring adherence to standard accounting policies and internal controls. The Director of Finance will oversee the timely review and approval of all balance sheet accounts, including bank reconciliations and general ledger account reconciliations. Establishing and auditing internal financial controls will be a key responsibility, as will the successful completion of all internal and external financial audits. The Director will also be responsible for hiring, training, supervising, and developing staff, ensuring compliance with Highgate Hotels' standards and regulations. This position requires interaction with the Executive Committee to ensure property operations are on track and under control, as well as the execution of special projects and responsibilities as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Effectively manage and communicate cash flow related issues.
• Prepare monthly financial statements for the property, including cash flow statements, management of receivables, payables, cash balances, and timely deposits of all funds.
• Monitor hotel revenues and expenses and ensure accurate recording in accordance with Highgate Hotels established guidelines.
• Monitor and control the hotel's cash flow and operating forecast.
• Create annual budgets and conduct monthly variance analysis, investigating variances to budget or prior year and offering practical improvement methodologies to management.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory licenses, permits, leases, contracts, legal agreements, and operational taxes.
• Assist management in enforcing compliance on all regulatory items.
• Analyze financial data and operations to assist and advise management in maintaining the hotel's financial objectives.
• Comply with standard accounting policies and procedures and internal controls for finance and accounting operations.
• Timely review and approval of all balance sheet accounts, including monthly bank reconciliation and general ledger account reconciliations.
• Establish and continually audit all internal financial controls including purchasing, cash handling, disbursements, inventories, hotel assets, master keys, payroll, and employee records.
• Successfully complete all internal and external financial audits, coordinating with CPA firms and delivering information requested by auditors on a timely basis.
• Hire, train, supervise, and develop staff, including coaching, counseling, and discipline.
• Maintain compliance with Highgate Hotels' standards and regulations to ensure safe and efficient operation of the hotel.
• Direct or prepare all financial reports in accordance with Highgate Hotels' requirements, meeting various due dates and deadlines.
• Interact with Executive Committee members to assure that property operations are on track and under control at all times.
• Monitor hotels' compliance in meeting required report deadlines and due dates and react accordingly.
• Monitor the accurate production of the hotel daily operating report.
• Execute other special projects and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• At least 5 or more years of Hospitality Finance/Accounting experience.
• Prior Controller or Director of Finance experience, preferably at a premium-branded Hotel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Finance or Accounting.
• Must supervise 2 or more employees.
• Must be proficient in Windows, company-approved spreadsheets, word processing, and in the operation of all hotel-specific systems.