Task Force Director of Finance - Remote

Compensation Type

Yearly

Highgate Corporate Office New York City, NY

The Director of Finance – Task Force is responsible for providing consistent leadership in the financial area of the hotel by supplying the accounting staff with guidance, leadership and training until a permanent Director of Finance is hired and trained.

This position is remote and requires significant travel across Highgate’s footprint. The Director of Finance - Task Force acts as a Hotel’s Director of Finance and is the senior Accounting/Finance person for hotels which are experiencing a vacancy in the Director of Finance’s position. The position is responsible for all aspects of fiscal management, financial controls, accounting, and financial reporting for the assigned property.

The position is also responsible for training the new Directors of Finance.

• Approach all encounters with guest and teammates in an attentive, friendly, courteous, and service‑oriented manner.
• Always comply with Highgate Hotels’ standards and regulations to encourage safe and efficient hotel operations.
• Maximize efforts towards productivity, identify problem areas and assist in finding and implementing their solutions.
• Direct or prepare all financial reports in accordance with Highgate Hotels’ requirements, meeting various due dates and deadlines, i.e.:
  • Daily:
    Income Journal and daily routing packs
  • Weekly: A/R & A/P Aging, Revenue/Flash Reports, Payroll Reports, Revenue Updates
  • Monthly:
    Financial Statements, Forecasts, Cash Flow, Variance Analysis
• Annual:
  Budgets, 5-Year Plans, 5-Year Capital Plans
• Effectively manages and communicates cash flow related issues. This includes the accurate and timely preparation of monthly financial statements for the property: cash flow statements, management of receivables, payables, cash balances, control mechanisms and timely deposits of all funds.
• Monitor hotel revenues and expenses and ensure the accurate recording in accordance with Highgate Hotels established guidelines.
• Prepare and present Proration Schedules during a hotel transition (if required).
• Communicate with owners, asset managers, lenders, investors, and other stakeholders as well as the Highgate Operations team regarding financial performance of their assets and performance of hotel finance staff. Actively address their concerns and build a long‑term relationship of trust.
• Ensure hotels’ compliance on all regulatory licenses and permits, leases, contracts, legal agreements, and the proper execution of all operational taxes. Assist management in enforcing compliance on all these items.
• Understand and maintain all capital expenses at the assigned hotel.
• Analyzes financial data and operations to assist and advises management in maintaining the hotels’ financial objectives.
• Prepares financial analysis as requested. This may include minor "Returns on Investment" and labor strategies.
• Complies with Standard Accounting policies and procedures and internal controls for finance and accounting operations.
• Timely reviews and approval of all balance sheet accounts, including monthly bank reconciliation and general ledger account reconciliations.
• Continually audits all internal financial controls including purchasing, cash handling, disbursements, inventories, hotel assets, master keys, payroll, and employee records.
• Successful completion of all internal and external financial audits, including coordination of work with CPA firms and delivering information requested by auditors on a timely basis.
• Manage staff including hiring and supervision as well as continually focus on training and development programs for accounting associates to cultivate the “brightest” and “best” talent within the industry.
• Maintain compliance with Highgate Hotels’ standards and regulations to ensure safe and efficient operation of the hotel.
• Timely interacts with Executive Committee members to assure that property operations are always on track and under control.
• Monitor hotels’ compliance in meeting required report deadlines and due dates and react accordingly.
• Conduct and/or attend and contribute to periodic meetings to maintain favorable working relationship…