Compensation Type: Yearly Highgate Hotels:

Highgate is a leading real estate investment and hospitality management company with over $15 billion of assets under management and a global portfolio of more than 400 hotels spanning North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

 

With a 30-year track record as an innovator in the hospitality industry, this forward-thinking company provides expert guidance through all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development through recapitalization or disposition. Highgate continues to demonstrate success in developing a diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts, featuring contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company utilizes industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive outperformance and maximize asset value.

 

With an executive team of seasoned hospitality leaders and corporate offices worldwide, Highgate is a trusted partner for top ownership groups and major hotel brands. www.highgate.com

Location:

The Elser Hotel & Residences is a 49-story luxury condominium hotel located in Downtown Miami.   The newly completed tower offers 646 fully furnished rooms/residences, over 19,000 square feet of curated amenities and 5,000 square feet of prime retail space.  Named after the iconic Elser Pier, which was built in the 1900s and became the premier place for locals and visitors to enjoy the magical shoreline of Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami, The Elser Hotel & Residences will continue this tradition. 

 

Overview:

The Controller, in the absence of a Director of Finance, is responsible for providing
consistent leadership in the financial area of the hotel by focusing on the profitability of the business; maintaining accurate and timely financial reporting; ensuring acceptable levels on internal control; ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations and Highgate Hotels ‘s Standard Operating Procedures; and safeguarding owners/investors assets.

Responsibilities:

• Approach all encounters with guests 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.:
         o Daily: Income Journal and daily routing packs
         o Weekly: A/R & A/P Aging, Revenue/Flash Reports, Payroll Reports,
            Revenue Updates
         o Monthly: Financial Statements, Forecasts, Cash Flow, Variance
            Analysis
         o 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.
• Communicate with owners, asset managers, lenders, investors, and other stakeholders as well as the Highgate Operations team regarding the 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.
• Prepare financial analysis as requested. This may include minor “Returns on Investment” and labor strategies.
• Comply 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 ensure 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 among team members and promote maximum morale, productivity, and efficiency (Executive Committee, Sales & Service, Credit, etc.).
• Monitor the accurate production of the hotel daily operating report.
• Executes other special projects and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A 4-year college degree with an Accounting/Finance concentration and a minimum
  of 2 years of related progressive experience; or a 2-year college degree and a
  minimum of 6 years of related progressive experience.
• Experience as Controller or Assistant Director of Finance at a large hotel with a
  decentralized accounting structure is required.