Director of Finance

Highgate Hotels - Miami Beach, FL

Full-time - Mid Level

Miami Beach, FL

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The Director of Finance at Highgate Hotels plays a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and profitability of the hotel. This position requires consistent leadership in the financial area, focusing on maintaining accurate and timely financial reporting, ensuring compliance with all regulations, and safeguarding the assets of owners and investors. The Director will be responsible for managing cash flow, preparing monthly financial statements, and monitoring hotel revenues and expenses to ensure they align with Highgate's established guidelines. This role also involves creating annual budgets, conducting monthly variance analysis, and investigating discrepancies to provide practical improvement methodologies to management. In addition to financial reporting, the Director of Finance will ensure compliance with all regulatory licenses, permits, leases, contracts, and legal agreements. They will analyze financial data to assist management in achieving the hotel's financial objectives and will be responsible for the timely review and approval of all balance sheet accounts, including bank reconciliations and general ledger account reconciliations. Establishing and auditing internal financial controls is a key responsibility, as is the successful completion of all internal and external financial audits. The Director will also be tasked with hiring, training, supervising, and developing staff, ensuring compliance with Highgate's standards and regulations. They will prepare various financial reports, including weekly, monthly, and annual reports, and will interact regularly with Executive Committee members to ensure that property operations are on track. This position may also involve executing 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, and cash balances.
• Monitor hotel revenues and expenses and ensure accurate recording in accordance with established guidelines.
• Create annual budgets and conduct monthly variance analysis.
• Investigate and critique variances to budget or prior year and offer practical improvement methodologies to management.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory licenses, permits, leases, contracts, and legal agreements.
• Analyze financial data and operations to assist management in maintaining financial objectives.
• Comply with Standard Accounting policies and procedures and internal controls for finance and accounting operations.
• Review and approve all balance sheet accounts, including monthly bank reconciliation and general ledger account reconciliations.
• Establish and audit all internal financial controls including purchasing, cash handling, disbursements, and payroll.
• Coordinate with CPA firms for internal and external financial audits and deliver information requested by auditors.
• Hire, train, supervise, and develop staff, including coaching and counseling.
• Prepare financial reports in accordance with Highgate Hotels' requirements, meeting various due dates and deadlines.
• Interact with Executive Committee members to ensure property operations are on track.
• Monitor compliance in meeting required report deadlines and due dates.

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.
• Proficient in Windows, company-approved spreadsheets, and word processing, as well as hotel-specific systems.