Finance Assistant

Raffles London at The OWO on London’s Whitehall, unites the allure and heritage of Raffles with one of the world’s most historic addresses with a name is synonymous with luxury, glamour, and extraordinary adventure. 

This fine Grade II* listed Edwardian building has been transformed with 120 rooms and suites along with a collection of 85 exceptional branded residences. Within The OWO destination there are a total of nine restaurants and three bars, including one by our signature chef Mauro Colagreco. The Guerlain spa and Pillar Wellness offer the latest in wellbeing, and a 600 seated-capacity grand ballroom, The Whitehall, is perfect for all kinds of special occasions and events.

Within these much-storied walls, where legendary statesmen and women once shaped the modern world, guests are now invited to discover new and inspiring emotions and connections. 

At Raffles, you arrive as a guest, leave as a friend and return as family. ​

Scope Of Position

The focus of this role to support the rest of the team to ensure we achieve tasks within the predetermined timeframes, support the operation so they are able to provide exceptional service to our guests and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including our suppliers, agents, residents, AR account holders, so they help us to do this.  There is the scope to learn about all sections of finance, whilst assisting colleagues, especially during their periods of pressure i.e. Cost Control during stock takes, Payables prior to month end. An important part of this role is to ensure our travel agents are paid their due commission in a timely manner for both individual stays and group & event accounts, this includes liaising with both our valued agents and our colleagues on an ongoing basis. 

Due to the volume of invoices which the hotel expects to receive, the Finance Assistant will assist the Accounts Payable Supervisor to ensure that we are able to process and pay invoices in a timely manner. 

Responsibilities

Operation – Commissions

• Working with Front of House team, ensure all individual commissions are verified in line with Fastcom requirements to ensure that our agents receive the correct amount of commission due, via Onyx, in a timely manner.
• Ensuring that Event commissions invoices (including Groups) are verified and processed in a timely manner, including gaining approval for Event commission invoices from the Director/Assistant Director of Events.
• Liaise with Director/Assistant Director of Events to ensure that the commission expenses for Events are accrued on a monthly basis.
• Coordinate with Accounts Payable to ensure payments are made in a timely manner
• Be the point of contact for our bookers for any commission queries ensuring that enquiries are followed through that agents are kept fully informed of progress and action taken.
• Coordinate any travel agent commission queries, liaising with Sales or relevant operational teams to validate enquiries and make necessary adjustments to allow processing of due commission
• Raise any concerns, including unresolved issues to the Financial Controller

Operation – Accounts Payable

• Assist AP Supervisor with volume invoice processing. 
• Working with the AP Supervisor, using Adaco to confirm receipt of goods/services and DocuWare to process invoices.  This may include taking primary responsibility for an invoice type throughout the month i.e. food invoices – this will be led by the AP Supervisor and may be subject to change in line with business needs
• Support AP Supervisor during month end as required

Operation – Accounts Receivable

• Assist the AR Supervisor, if required, in line with business demands.  Tasks may include assisting to check and prepare event invoices during periods of volume event business, to ensure we achieve the billing standards expected by our guests and in line with company standard; processing credit card refunds which have been approved in line with company policies or other such administrative support.

Operation – Cost Controller

• The Finance assistant may be asked to  assist the Cost Controller in undertaking tasks, including, but not limited to, assisting with monthly inventory audits.

Operation – General Cashier

• The Finance assistant may be required to support the Payroll Manager in undertaking general cashiering tasks, including, but not limited to, witnessing periodic float checks as required.

Operation – General

• Additional responsibilities in absence of line manager or senior employee.
• Accepts flexible working schedule when necessary to ensure the hotel’s uninterrupted service, which may include working in a different department.
• Informs and updates the Financial Controller on any problems or unusual issues.
• Additional responsibilities in absence of line manager or senior employee.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned including working in a different department or restaurant, than usually assigned.

Leadership

• Ensuring composure under pressure and providing leadership and guidance to the Team when required.
• Actively encouraging and promoting employees to be creative and innovative, whilst recognising them for their contributions to the success of the operation.

Health and Safety

• Ensure that all potential and real hazards are reported immediately and rectified.
• Be fully conversant with all departmental Fire, Emergency and Bomb procedures.
• Ensure the safety of the persons and the property of all within the premises, by strict adherence to existing laws, statues and applicable ordinances, and by anticipating possible and probable hazards and conditions and either correcting them or pre-planning a defence against them.
• Stimulate and encourage a general awareness of Health and Safety in relation to all tasks and activities undertaken in the department.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

Essential

• A proven track record and ability to provide high levels of service under pressure.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills, both written and spoken.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to multi-task while maintaining an immaculate and professional appearance.
• An understanding and willingness to contribute to a 24h operational schedule when required.

Desirable

• Prior knowledge of Opera Cloud, Silverware, Adaco and SunSystems.
• Previous experience within a luxury hotel environment working with LQA, Forbes 5* or equivalent standards.

Why join our Raffles team?

Not only will you be joining one of the worlds best hotels you will also receive great benefits including:

• You will be offered a competitive salary
• 28 days holiday including bank holidays plus a day extra for every year of your service up to 5 years
• Length of service awards for every year of service
• We offer Life Assurance to all our colleagues
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Free dry cleaning for uniform and an allowance for personal items
• Season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme
• Colleague gifting to celebrate special occasions
• Paid days off to move house or give back time to a charity of your choice*
• Internal learning and development programmes tailored to you  
• Fun-filled events, whether that’s a pub quiz, team run or festive party.
• Employee benefit card offering discounted rates of up to 30% at Accor worldwide
• Worldwide development opportunities across Accor’s extensive brand portfolio