Controller

Belong in a place where you can be yourself and love what you do. Join our hotel community and we will support you to realise your true potential. You will be part of a team where everyone’s contribution is valued. And we will empower you to bring ideas to elevate our services, creating personalised experiences for guests. Help them to feel special, and we will do the same for you.

Sofitel New York is looking for an Assistant Director of Finance who is an enthusiastic, hospitality-oriented professional that will manage day-to-day Finance efficiencies. The Assistant Director of Finance will be a highly motivated team leader with strong accounting, communication, business presentation and analytical skills. A strong systems background is also needed. This position will support and assist Director of Finance in managing the Finance & Accounting Department and will be acting Director of Finance as needed.

What is in it for you:

• Employee Discount Travel Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Extended healthcare plan coverage
• Opportunity to develop your talent and grow with the Company
• Ability to make a difference through our Corporate Social Responsibility activities, like Planet 21
• Salary Range: $110 - $125k / Year

What you will be doing:

1. Performance Management

• Provide administrative support to Management with reference to policy enforcement, business advice and operational assistance
• Monitoring and supervising the accounting department’s day to day operations including payroll, accounts receivables, accounts payable, general cashier, income audit (including daily tax reconciliation), and purchasing. Ensure smooth, effective, and efficient daily work practices,
• To Assist the Director of Finance to ensure that all of the accounting staff understands and follows the applicable policies and procedures that is outlined in the Company’s finance policies and procedures manual.
• Develop key relationships and respective Department Heads and the senior managers to provide financial support and understanding of short and long-term financial plans.
• To assist the Director of Finance and other department heads in the development and implementation of “corrective action plans” on internal and or external audit and operational reports.
• To assist the Director of Finance in the development of the business acumen of all levels of the hotel Leadership team to ensure they understand the impact of every component on the business as a whole and embrace the fiscal reporting processes, and information available in order to drive the performance of their areas of responsibility.
• To assist the Director of Finance to promote, drive and maximize GOP Theoretical Flow Through concept across the departments.

1. Financial Planning, Reporting and Analysis

• To assist the Director of Finance with the analysis and interpretation of the financial data and its communication to the operations. The Assistant Director of Finance will also assist with and complete, as needed, the analysis of the balance sheet accounts and the preparation of the monthly internal benchmarking and operational performance analysis reports.
• To assist the Director of Finance with month end closing process.
• Prepare and compile annual internal and external audit pre-work & supporting documents.
• To assist the Director of Finance in preparing the annual budget, capital budgets and the rolling forecast. Assistant Director of Finance should be able to perform these tasks satisfactorily with high direction but with little supervision.
• Lead the preparation of the financial statements within the corporate closing schedule and according to the Accor SOP.
• Prepare and provide accurate and complete financial and management reports on a timely basis to hotel management, corporate office and owners in accordance with the company and ownership reporting requirements and policy.
• To assist the Director of Finance in the timely and accurate preparation of monthly prompt tax and quarterly tax filings, per local law.

1. Compliance & Risk Management

• To working with the Director of Finance to fulfill his/her fiduciary responsibility to the Company and/or Owners for ensuring the hotels are reporting in compliance with the policies, the Uniform Chart of Accounts and hotel management or other contractual arrangements with respect to accounting matters.
• Maintain and prepare all bank and balance sheet accounts and analysis on a monthly basis, review and approve those reconciliations as necessary. Assistant Director of Finance should be able to perform these tasks satisfactorily with high direction but with little supervision.
• Assist in maintaining accurate and timely financial and operating information and ensure corporate deadlines are met. Assistant Director of Finance should be able to perform these tasks satisfactorily with high direction but with little supervision.
• To assist the Director of Finance in ensuring that all laws and fiscal regulations of the area location, which effect financial matters of the hotel, will be complied with.
• To assist the Director of Finance to protect the owners and the management company’s interest in the hotel assets and operations.
• To assist the Director of Finance in safekeeping of all lease and contracts and any other legal records and documents, which may affect the financial status of the hotel. Such documents are to be listed and keep current on the Critical Date List.
• To assist the Director of Finance to conduct regular operations risk assessments, establish a risk register for the hotel and prepare an action plan addressing the mitigation of identified risks, subject to regular reporting and follow up on the execution of the risk action plan. They shall ensure the timing and accurate reporting of all incidents in accordance with Company protocol.

1. Control and Policies & Procedures

• A thorough knowledge of policies and procedures is required.
• Lead and guide the hotel staff, including training and development of internal audit requirements, in accordance with the NCA SOP guidelines.
• To assist the Director of Finance to ensure control systems are monitored and audited on a regular basis, as documented by Audit Services, to measure compliance with internal controls.
• Spearhead and manage the successful process and completion of the internal audit, in accordance with the NCA SOP guidelines, to comply with Accor’s internal audit process, as well as applicable external audits.
• To assist the Director of Finance in ensuring the completion of cash flow forecast and remains adequate to meet the needs of the operation.

1. People and Talent Management

• Work under the guidance of Director of Finance & Business Support to ensure the departmental performance of staff is productive. Duties include:
  • Plan for future staffing needs (Succession Planning)
  • Partnering with Director of Finance to hire, develop, and coach staff.
  • Prepare detailed orientation programs for new staff
  • Maintain a comprehensive, current and guest focused set of departmental standards and procedures and oversee their implementation
  • Ensure training needs analysis of your departmental staff is carried out and training programs are designed and implemented to meet needs
  • Deliver training and assist Director of Finance in driving employee engagement (i.e. CES)
  • Actively work at developing your direct reports and identify high potentials
  • Conduct probation and formal performance appraisal in line with company guidelines
  • Coach, counsel and discipline staff, providing constructive feedback to enhance performance
  • Regularly communicate with staff to maintain positive relationships

1. Performs other similar or related duties as necessary.

Your experience and skills include:

Education:

Accounting Designation, Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Business, Finance, or a relevant field of work, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience. CPA or MBA preferred

Experience:

5+ years progressive work related experience in multiple areas of accounting and/or capital projects management and reporting, financial and/or business analysis, accounting, merger/acquisition analysis, or a related area, with 1 to 2 years managing teams and/or significant complex projects.

Technical Skills and Knowledge:

Demonstrated ability to assess and understand a variety of internal and external economic and financial issues which impact the business, to analyze data and forecast future business trends, and to develop effective financial plans based on businesses assessments.

Strong communication skills, both verbal and written to address all levels within the organization.

Demonstrated experience with accounting system or similar financial software for the purpose of financial reporting, analysis and presentation.

Demonstrated leadership in managing and developing people

Demonstrated knowledge of finance, budgeting, and accounting processes and regulations, along with demonstrated knowledge of capital projects management standards and techniques and GAAP regulations and procedures.

Decision making responsibilities (Key Decision Rights):

Significant impact on the financial planning, cost management, budgeting and operations of assigned unit. Decisions made and analytical data gathered directly influences business operating decisions made by management.

Significant impact on the tracking and maintenance of budget and financial performance data for assigned division, on capital spend, and on the accurate and timely reporting of current financial and budget status to management.

The hotel is unable to assist candidates in obtaining work authorization documents. 

Your team and working environment:

Ideally situated steps away from Fifth Avenue, Times Square and Grand Central Station, Sofitel New York’s 398 spacious guest rooms including 52 suites provide a haven in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city.  With French inspiration, our ambassadors deliver service from the heart and lifelong memories one guest at a time.

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
We are an inclusive company and our ambition is to attract, recruit and promote diverse talent. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Why work for Accor?

When you become one of our Heartists®, you will also be a member of the Accor group with all the benefits that brings. The ALL Heartists® program is the benefits program dedicated to Accor Heartists®. It provides employees with the opportunity
to enjoy living life to its fullest throughout the year, thanks to preferential rates in hotels and exclusive discounts with a wide range of partners (travel, gourmet, wellness, shopping…).