Director, Credit to Cash

Choice Hotels International • North Bethesda, MD

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Credit to Cash is responsible for developing and managing the vision, strategy, and execution of the billing, accounts receivable and cash applications, and collections workstreams, activities, and tasks for Choice Hotels International, Inc. and its subsidiaries. This individual is also responsible for managing and allocating resources and executing internal financial reporting initiatives and compliance requirements. This team member will liaise and coordinate with the Accounting, Financial Reporting & Accounting Policy, and Financial Systems teams through cross-departmental collaboration, along with other teams in Finance, including Accounts Payable, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Internal Audit, Real Estate Investment & Asset Management (REIAM), Tax, and Treasury. The position reports to the Chief Accounting Officer and manages the respective billing, accounts receivable, and collections teams, which consist of three (3) direct reports (Senior Manager of Billing, Manager of Accounts Receivable, and Manager of Collections) and several indirect reports.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience in the credit-to-cash field, public companies, hospitality, or real estate.
• Strong understanding of the full credit-to-cash cycle, including customer invoicing, accounts receivable, cash applications, collections, and reporting.
• Experience managing a team is required.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to delegate to and manage a team effectively.
• Must be able to communicate with all levels of personnel in a large organization.
• Strong presentation skills, including the ability to lead meetings, communicate with internal and external stakeholders, anticipate questions and perspectives, and provide timely, well-thought-out answers.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and instill a sense of urgency within the team and among stakeholders.
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple workstreams and projects simultaneously with accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness.
• Strong organizational, team-building, and camaraderie skills are required.
• A proven record of process improvement initiatives is required.
• Must have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business-related field.
• Must be able to commit to the Pike & Rose headquarters location requirement and adhere to the company’s hybrid work schedule, which consists of four days onsite and one day remote per week.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP/EPM or other large ERP/EPM systems is preferred, including finance transformation initiatives, project management, and change management activities.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and/or maintain policies and standard operating procedures on a domestic and international basis.
• Develop a holistic view of the Company and understand how data flows between systems and how significant initiatives impact the business.
• Provide recommendations for internal control and process improvements with consideration of the Company’s business operations.
• Drive team members to proactively seek out opportunities to create efficiencies, automation, and strong internal controls, ensuring procedures are streamlined and well documented.
• Hire, retain, and continually develop high-performing talent who contribute positively to the organization.
• Develop a pipeline of talent for all key positions to meet current and future needs.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment; monitor and manage billing metrics, A/R aging, and Days Sales Outstanding (DSO); and provide actionable reporting and analytics.
• Participate in accounting, finance, and business development initiatives and projects.
• As applicable, participate in cross-functional projects and assignments such as integrating new acquisitions, ongoing Choice Forward finance transformation initiatives, global billing transformation and implementation projects, and audit improvement initiatives.
• Guide and develop the team to add value and provide support and solutions to Choice’s customers.
• Employ strategic thinking to design and implement solutions within Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP/EPM that enable Finance to meet its goals and objectives more effectively and efficiently.
• Partner with the Financial Systems team to develop and execute an Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP/EPM training curriculum for all team members.
• Partner with the Chief Accounting Officer and external auditors to identify inefficiencies in the external audit process.
• When inefficiencies are identified, prepare solutions to reduce audit hours and audit fees to support more efficient quarterly reviews and annual audits.
• Review, understand, and ensure compliance with all legal agreements and contracts, including operating agreements, loan agreements, joint ventures, management agreements, and Choice Privileges loyalty provisions, among others.
• Create strong working relationships with the Accounting, Financial Reporting & Accounting Policy, and Financial Systems teams through cross-departmental collaboration, as well as with other Finance teams including Accounts Payable, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Internal Audit, Real Estate Investment & Asset Management (REIAM), Tax, and Treasury.
• Additionally, build strong relationships with other internal teams such as Choice Privileges Loyalty, Marketing, Managed Hotels Finance, IT, Human Resources & Compensation, Legal, Development, and Franchise Experience & Operations.
• Proactively manage communications and interactions with internal and external stakeholders.
• Oversee the billing department to direct the efficient and effective implementation, administration, and governance of all billing operations.
• Ensure strong internal controls, data integrity, and reconciliations required to generate timely and accurate customer invoices.
• Consult cross-functionally on non-standard contractual terms and new fees, seeking mutually beneficial solutions that meet Choice’s needs within the constraints of available resources and contractual arrangements.
• Oversee third-party vendor relationships, managed services, and associated costs, as appropriate.
• Oversee the accounts receivable department and provide guidance on accounts receivable, DSO, and cash applications best practices at both the individual and team levels.
• Continually improve the cash applications hit rate to increase efficiency and accuracy, ensuring timely and accurate reconciliations of cash and accounts receivable, as well as timely processing of relicensing and refunds.
• Develop and enhance management reporting and analytics to identify trends and recommend appropriate actions.
• Oversee the collections department and provide guidance on collections strategies, actions, prioritization of accounts, and daily, weekly, and annual goals at both the individual and team levels.
• Provide support for escalations and prominent customers and approve alternative collection actions as recommended by the collections department.
• Develop and enhance management reporting and analytics to identify trends and recommend appropriate actions.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Leave and paid time-off for holidays, vacation, personal, family, volunteer, sick, jury duty, bereavement, military, and religious observance
• Financial benefits for retirement and health savings
• Employee recognition programs
• Discounts at Choice hotels worldwide
• Annual bonus based on the terms of Choice's Management Incentive Plan (MIP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees