Group Financial Controller

Location:
Greater London / Hybrid, with travel to hotels

Reporting to:
Managing Director

Type:
Full-time preferred; 4 days considered for the right candidate

Hetherley is a UK hotel investment, asset management and operating platform focused on branded economy, limited-service and select-service hotels.

We are looking for a commercially minded Group Financial Controller to oversee finance across our hotel portfolio and Hetherley’s corporate entities.

This is not a purely reporting role. We are looking for someone who can take ownership of monthly management accounts, financial controls, cashflow, budgeting and forecasting, while working closely with operational teams and explaining financial performance clearly to non-finance stakeholders.

Initially, the role will involve working alongside our existing outsourced accounting partner to understand and improve current processes. Over time, we expect the successful candidate to take increasing ownership of day-to-day financial control, monthly reporting, cashflow oversight and corporate finance administration.

• Oversee monthly management accounts for each hotel in the portfolio.
• Review hotel P&Ls, balance sheets, reconciliations and cashflow reporting.
• Ensure reporting is accurate, timely and aligned with hotel management agreements and USALI principles.
• Produce monthly variance analysis against budget, forecast and prior year.
• Work with General Managers and the operations team to explain performance and identify areas requiring action.
• Oversee financial controls, payment processes, supplier payments, debtor control and cash management.
• Monitor working capital, cashflow, VAT, payroll and HMRC liabilities.
• Oversee accounting and reporting for Hetherley’s corporate entities.
• Liaise with external accountants on statutory accounts, corporation tax, VAT and year-end matters.
• Support annual budgets, rolling forecasts and reforecasts.
• Help standardise financial reporting across the hotel portfolio.
• Manage the relationship with our outsourced accounting partner and help determine what should remain outsourced and what should be brought in-house over time.

We are looking for someone who is technically strong, commercially aware and comfortable working in a hands-on environment. The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous experience as a Financial Controller, Group Finance Manager, Head of Finance, Hotel Financial Controller or similar.
• Experience in hotels, hospitality, leisure, property-backed operating businesses or another multi-site operational environment.
• Strong understanding of management accounts, balance sheets, cashflow, VAT, payroll and financial controls.
• Confidence to challenge operational teams constructively on performance, cost control and financial discipline.
• The ability to explain financial information clearly to non-accountants.
• A practical, proactive approach suited to a growing business where processes may need to be improved or built.

ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified preferred.

Experience with hotel accounting, PMS, payroll or finance systems would be helpful, including Sage, Xero, Opera, Access, Sun, Quick Books, Fourth or similar. Specific systems experience is less important than the ability to improve reporting, controls and finance processes.

• Commercial and pragmatic.
• Clear and confident communicator.
• Highly organised and detail-focused.
• Comfortable working directly with business owners and senior operators.
• Proactive and willing to take ownership.
• Able to identify problems and recommend practical solutions.

Competitive salary depending on experience