Staff Accountant

Highgate Hotels•Key West, FL

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Accountant provides consistent financial leadership for the hotel, focusing on business profitability, accurate and timely financial reporting, effective internal controls, regulatory compliance, and protection of owners’ and investors’ assets. The role manages and communicates cash-flow matters, monitors and records hotel revenues and expenses, investigates variances, supports capital planning, analyzes financial and operational data, and maintains timely balance-sheet and bank reconciliations. The position establishes and audits internal financial controls across areas including purchasing, cash handling, disbursements, inventories, hotel assets, master keys, payroll, and employee records. It prepares or directs financial reports to meet required deadlines, monitors hotel reporting compliance and daily operating reports, and supports the training and development of accounting associates. The role also contributes to meetings, maintains working relationships, participates in Manager on Duty coverage as required, and performs other duties requested by management.

Requirements

At least 3 years of related progressive experience in hotel accounting or a related field; alternatively, a four-year college degree with an Accounting/Finance concentration and at least 2 years of related progressive experience; or a two-year college degree and at least 4 years of related progressive experience.
Proficiency in Windows, company-approved spreadsheets and word-processing software, and hotel-specific systems.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with employees and guests at all levels.
Ability to listen to, understand, and clarify concerns raised by employees and guests.
Ability to multitask and prioritize departmental functions to meet deadlines.
Ability to handle problems by anticipating, preventing, identifying, and solving them.
Ability to understand and evaluate complex information and data from various sources.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to maintain regular attendance and comply with hotel standards and regulations.

Responsibilities

Manage and communicate cash-flow issues, including preparing cash-flow statements, managing receivables, payables and cash balances, maintaining controls, and ensuring timely deposits.
Monitor hotel revenues and expenses and ensure accurate recording in accordance with company guidelines.
Investigate variances to budget or prior year and recommend practical improvements to management.
Assist with capital planning by calculating returns on capital improvements, gathering supporting information, monitoring bids, and evaluating work scopes and specifications to support property upkeep.
Ensure compliance with regulatory licenses and permits, leases, contracts, legal agreements, and operational taxes, and assist management with enforcement.
Analyze financial and operational data to assist and advise management in meeting the hotel’s financial objectives.
Ensure timely reconciliation of all balance-sheet accounts, including bank reconciliations.
Establish and continually audit internal financial controls covering purchasing, cash handling, disbursements, inventories, hotel assets, master keys, payroll, and employee records.
Support training and development for accounting associates and ensure completion of management and hourly Accounting Key Competencies.
Maintain compliance with company standards and regulations for safe and efficient hotel operations.
Direct or prepare financial reports in accordance with company requirements and deadlines, including weekly A/R and A/P aging, flash reports, payroll reports and revenue updates; monthly financial statements, forecasts, key statistics and cash-flow reports; and annual budgets, five-year plans and five-year capital plans.
Attend and contribute to periodic meetings to maintain favorable employee relationships and promote morale, productivity, and efficiency.
Monitor required report deadlines and respond to missed or at-risk due dates.
Monitor accurate production of the hotel’s daily operating report.
Attend required hotel meetings and trainings and participate in Manager on Duty coverage as required.
Maintain regular attendance, professional appearance and grooming, and a warm, friendly, courteous, and service-oriented demeanor.
Communicate effectively with employees and guests, listen to and clarify concerns, multitask, prioritize work, meet deadlines, maintain confidentiality, and help identify and resolve problems.
Perform other duties as requested by management.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions
Paid holidays
Paid vacation
Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable law
Employee assistance program
Educational opportunities and tuition reimbursement
Paid jury duty leave, personal leave, medical leave, and military leave in accordance with applicable law