Financial Controller

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Scope of Position 
Under the business supervision of the General Manager and the Regional Director of Finance and Business Support for Sub-Saharan Africa, and within the limits of Accor Hotels policies and procedures and local requirements, the position is responsible for the supervision of all members of the Company Finance and Accounting Department, within the Pullman Hotel managed by Accor.

The Financial Controller provides strategic leadership, functional guidance and valuable insights to Operations Leader, Partner, Executive Committee and Department Heads for optimal business decision; Interacting with the Company’s legal counsel, insurance companies, tax consultants, auditors, commercial and government banks to effectively control the assets of the business. The Financial Controller will be a highly motivated team player with strong accounting, communication, business presentation and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

Business Partnering and Performance Management 

• Creation and embracing the culture of business partnering by working with General Manager. The Financial Controller and the General Manager are jointly responsible for achieving optimal operating performance and returns for Accor Hotels and our owners without losing sight of all measured KPI’s. 
• Develop and manage key relationships and respective Management Committee members and their senior managers to provide financial support and understanding of short and long-term financial plans. 
• Review financial performance of department/area, analysis of variances, forecasts and budgets. Challenge existing strategies and/or recommend alternate strategies to continually improve effectiveness of the business or financial management. 
• Contribute to all business decisions of the Company regarding revenue generation, Company expenditure and investment. 
• To assist other department heads in the development and implementation of “corrective action plans” on internal and or external audit and operational reports. 
• To assist in the development of the business acumen of all levels of the Company 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. 
• Attend and contribute to Weekly Revenue Meeting discussions with a focus on identifying opportunities and risks in Rooms, Conference & Banqueting and other revenues, to drive revenue growth. 
• Promote, drive and maximize GOP Theoretical Flow Through concept across the departments. 
• Support the General Manager in developing a strong business relationship with Company owner by participating and contributing in meetings and discussions and responding proactively to owner requests and initiatives within the boundaries of the HMA.

Financial Planning, Reporting and Analysis 

• Responsible for the analysis and interpretation of the financial data and communicating this in a comprehensible form, of meaningful variations in the operations. The analysis of the balance sheet accounts, on a selected basis and the preparation of the monthly internal benchmarking and operational performance analysis reports. 
• To assist in the development and implementation of benchmarking techniques that will enable the Company to enhance revenues while improving productivity and cost efficiencies. To seek, identify and implement throughout the Company best practices that will serve to enhance revenues, guest service and improve cost and productivity efficiencies. 
• To assist in preparing, in conjunction with the General Manager and other General Managers/ Hotel Manager, Department heads, the annual budget, capital budgets and the rolling forecast. The Financial Controller will establish the annual budget preparation procedures and guidelines. 
• To recommend and assist in the design, implementation, and use of methods and procedures that improve the accuracy of working schedules, labour standards, forecast, and plans to assist operational staff. Monitor on an ongoing basis the accuracy and recommend correct measurements as necessary. 
• To provide accurate and complete financial and management reports on a timely basis to Company management, corporate office and owners in accordance with the company and ownership reporting requirements and policy. In addition, the Financial Controller is responsible for reporting accurately and timely, the actual results as compared to budget/forecast results. He/she is to maintain adequate records to reflect the comparison of the actual expenditures for furniture, equipment and operating equipment to the budgeted amounts. 
• Manage all facets of the capital process. Ensure the Company establishes and maintains the tracking of fixed assets sub-ledgers and depreciation. 
• To participate in the development, maintenance and adherence to a single chart of accounts, payroll and expense dictionary, and the function of accounts in order that the Company’s financial and statistical data is accurately and consistently recorded and reported. 
• In addition to the preparation of all financial statements, accounting and statistical reports, and any other special report that may be required by corporate office or the General Manager, the Financial Controller is responsible for interpreting said reports and then communicating the results with the General Managers/ Hotel Manager and relevant department heads.

Compliance & Risk Management 

• Has a fiduciary responsibility to the Company and/or Owners for ensuring the Company is reporting in compliance with the policies, the Uniform Chart of Accounts and Company management or other contractual arrangements with respect to accounting matters. 
• All laws and fiscal regulations of the area location, which effect financial matters of the Company, will be complied with. This includes seeing that proper permits and licenses are obtained for such things as liquor licenses, sellers permit, business licenses, etc. 
• To protect the owners and the management company’s interest in the Company assets and operations. Financial Controller should be the guardian of the Company Management Agreement. Management Agreement terms, priorities, performance tests and incentive fees distribution requirements are completely understood and managed. 
• The safe keeping of all lease and contracts and any other legal records and documents, which may affect the financial status of the Company. Such documents are to be listed and keep current on the Critical Date List. 
• Working with the General Manager and Company executive committee, Regional Director of Finance and Business Support for Sub-Saharan Africa shall conduct regular operations risk assessments, establish a risk register for the Company 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. 

Control and Policies & Procedures 

• A thorough knowledge of policies and procedures required. A thorough knowledge of understanding and proper application of policies and procedures. 
• Control systems are monitored and audited on a regular basis, as documented by Audit Services, to measure compliance with internal controls. Segregation of duties for non-compatible functions is enforced. Controls are explained and understood by all employees, as part of their job description that the employee has signed off on. 
• Accountable for the development, documentation and maintenance, within the Company, to ensure compliance with the requirements of internal/standard controls.
• Ensure cash flow is adequate to meet the needs of the operation. Approve all cash disbursements and ensure that all disbursements are properly documented and executed. Approve all rebates, adjustments and allowances in accordance with company policy. 
• Issues surrounding Accounting, Policy or Controls are reviewed with GM, Regional Director of Finance and Business Support for Sub-Saharan Africa. 
• Developing, implementing and monitoring credit and collection procedures and guidelines pursuant to “adopted” corporate credit policies. 

Talent and Culture Management 

• Operate effectively and optimize staffing levels by assisting departments to improve ratios & efficiencies
• Plan for future staffing needs (Succession Planning) 
• Recruit in line with company guidelines 
• Prepare detailed orientation and on boarding programmes 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 programmes are designed and implemented to meet needs 
• Deliver training in line with job requirements and development plans of colleagues in your department
• 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 
• Approve leave requests after considering peaks and troughs in the business 
• Regularly communicate with staff  through Monthly Department Meetings to maintain positive relationships 
• Ensure annual Colleague Engagement Survey for Department is completed and all Action Plans are delivered upon within the allocated time frames
• Strengthen and Ensure Good Inter-Departmental  Relations
   

Qualifications Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA or CMA preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience in financial control, accounting, or a related field
• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles and procedures
• Proactive approach to financial management
• Advanced Excel skills
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and leadership skills

Languages

• English Language is Mandatory (both written and oral)