Finance Manager

Why you’ll love working for Hilton!

· Access to the world’s best Team Member Travel Program with highly discounted rates.

· Discounts of up to 25-50% on products and services in participating Hilton outlets.

· A competitive industry salary and bonus scheme.

· Extensive range of career development opportunities.

· We are certified as a Great Places To Work in New Zealand.

About the role

This position is concerned with maintaining the smooth operation of the Finance Department and associated operations such that account management, reporting, interdepartmental, and vendor relations are managed to optimise the profitability of DoubleTree Auckland, Albert Street. This position ensures that all Hilton Finance policies and procedures are complied with throughout the Hotel. It also involves providing financial support, advice and expertise to the Director of Finance, General Manager and Hotel Team, with the aim of maximizing value.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Co-ordination of accounting systems and procedures for the preparation of monthly reports and financial statements

• Provide month end closing and all other required management/finance reports;
• Ensure best practice financial accounting and control procedures - continually review the process and procedures to maximise impact and efficiency;

· Liaising and collaborating with the General Manager and the executive team to ensure all strategies are fit for purpose;

• Comply with Hilton policies and procedures, maximising performance on the Balanced Scorecard;
• Review vendor contracts and projects, as required by the Director of Finance/General Manager;
• Lead monthly finance update meetings with General Manager and executive team;
• Balance and reconcile all asset and liability accounts in the general ledger;
• Ensure the balance sheets are a fair reflection of the assets and liabilities of the hotels;
• Review and analyse all Departmental expenses for accuracy of coding and posting;
• Ensure accurate records are maintained and up to date;
• Prepare all month end journal vouchers and post to the general ledger;
• Prepare and present final reports and financial statements;
• Liaise and co-operate with both Internal and External Audit. Ensure that an effective program of in-hotel audit is in place and that corrective action is promptly taken where required. Give particular emphasis to ensuring that all revenue is captured. Make use of a monthly control checklist.

Careful Monitoring of Procedures in other Departments

• Assist Heads of Department to improve their financial awareness and provide them with relevant financial information for their operations;
• Review activities in other areas and departments to ensure accuracy of information provided at month end, in particular credits involving spillage, spoilage and kitchen transfers;
• Scrutinize and authorise purchase orders, allowances and entertainment vouchers. Determine if the purchases are necessary, and ensure that all allowance vouchers and entertainments are properly documented, signed and verified;
• Ensure proper permits and licenses have been obtained for such matters as importation, currency transfers and hotel operations (bars, gaming etc.). Take responsibility for the safekeeping and updating of all leases and contracts, which may affect the financial status of the hotel.

Co-ordination of Staff

• Manage on site Finance Team Members and Purchasing;
• Monitor the accuracy and efficiency of daily tasks performed by finance staff;
• Assist Team Members with any problems in their daily work, answer their questions and give instruction when required;
• Where practicable, arrange for cross exposure and multi-skilling for finance Team Members and ensure their continued development;
• Assist in the selection of finance Team Members;
• Assist in annual leave coverage / liaise this with other Team Members;
• Personal commitment and ability to motivate to develop good co-operation within the department;
• Conduct appraisals as per the Hilton Performance Management Framework;
• Work and enjoy being part of a team to provide excellent service.

Looking Ahead

• Work with the Director of Finance and General Manager to provide full and accurate forecasting and budgeting proposals within the hotel;
• Manage the formulation, review and approval process for budgeting within the hotel;
• Ensure a regular cycle of forecasting takes place within the hotel with content and detail appropriate to the needs of the operation.

Information Technology & Systems

• Optimize the use of I.T. within the finance department to improve efficiency and information;
• With the IT Manager, ensure proper use and maintenance of financial systems, including adequate security and back up procedures.

Investment

• Assist in preparation of capital plans;
• Utilize project evaluation techniques to assist in directing investment to those projects that optimise returns for both the individual project and the enterprise as a whole;
• Assist the General Manager to prepare and review the AFE, ensuring financial accuracy and sound business judgement is applied to the process, and that authorisation is obtained prior to commitment to expenditure;
• Assist the General Manager to perform post investment audit on major capital investments;
• Ensure compliance with Hilton capital policy. Maintain proper control and recording of project spends.

General

• Builds effective and professional supplier relationships and maintains impeccable honesty and business ethics in determining hotel suppliers;
• Ensure that sales are maximised through answering the customer’s needs and that costs are controlled without compromising quality;

· Know who our customers are and provide them with the product and service they want;

· Ensure that the customer is provided with an exceptional product with exceptional staff in terms of service and flexibility;

· Build effective and professional Owners relationship; maintains impeccable honesty and business ethics in managing the assets

· Display Work Environmentally Awareness according to Hilton.

Workplace Health and Safety Management

• Comply with the Health & Safety policy statement, H&S policies and procedures and the relevant H&S Business Plan;
• Work in a safe manner, providing a safe workplace to all employees;
• Use protective/safety equipment wherever provided and required;
• Accurate and timely reporting of all hazards, incidents and work related injuries;
• Participate in any rehabilitation programmes as required;
• Participate in Health & Safety committee meetings as required;
• Undertake workplace audits in accordance with H&S plan;
• Be aware of procedures in the event of emergencies such as fire, bomb, in line with Hotel/Company policy and legislation.

The Person - Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• A Business/ Accounting degree is required;
• A minimum of 1+ years’ experience as Finance Manager or similar role (preferably within the Hotel/Hospitality Industry) with proven track record of managing Owners relationships;
• Knowledge of commercial business with an extensive background in Financial Management;
• Negotiation and influencing skills, combined with a positive attitude and the flexibility to respond to a range of different work situations;
• Effective management skills, both up as downwards and willingness to coach and train others;
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal;
• The ability to prioritise and organise the flow of accounting information to ensure that monthly deadlines are met;
• Strong computer skills - preferably Microsoft Excel, Navision, Birchstreet, DocMatrix, OnQ, and Agylisis;
• Must be experienced in Hotel Accounting and be thoroughly familiar with established procedures and internal controls.