Financial Controller in Cardiff

Manager of the hotel's day-to-day Accounting function, assisting the Director of Finance in providing financial leadership to the business and clear structure and direction to the Finance team. Primary responsibilities include preparation and analysis of the financial reports and reconciliations, internal and external reporting, budgeting/forecasting, audit and control, asset and liability reconciliation, working capital and cash control.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience: Full /part-qualified accounting qualification or Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year College or University; or three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills And Knowledge:

• Hotel Operational Finance knowledge
• Numeracy - using mathematics to solve problems, calculations, presentations etc.
• Computer Skills – Strong computer skills, particularly Excel and preferably Opera, PeopleSoft, Micros
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, P&L statements, operating budgets, forecasting and scheduling, and the reporting of financial data.
• Management of Financial Resources - Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
• Analytical/Critical Thinking - The ability to gather and organize information using a logical and systematic process; recognize patterns and relationships in complex data; examine data to identify implications, problems and draw appropriate conclusions; generate alternative solutions to problems; evaluate strengths, weaknesses and consequences of alternative solutions and approaches to solving problems.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Purchasing and Materials Management - Knowledge of practices and procedures needed to maintain material, equipment and supplies; including vendor identification and contract negotiation, supply requisition and purchasing, and inventory control (e.g., accounting and budgeting).

MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

• Adaptability - Ability to effectively adjust to major changes in work tasks or the work environment.
• Aligning Performance for Success - Skilled at focusing and guiding others in accomplishing work objectives.
• Building a Successful Team - Skilled at building a cohesive team and facilitating goal accomplishment.
• Building Trust - Ability to interact with others in an honest, fair and respectful way; giving others confidence in one's intentions and those of the organization.
• Communication - Skilled at clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media; engaging the audience and helping them understand and retain the message.
• Customer Focus - Ability to develop and sustain productive customer relationships; actively seeking information to understand and address customers' needs.
• High Work Standards - Sets high standards of performance for self and others; assumes responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks.
• Planning and Organizing - Skilled at establishing courses of action for self and others to ensure work is completed efficiently.
• Problem Solving/Decision Making - Ability to identify and understand issues, problems, and opportunities; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing solutions.
• Strategic Decision Making - Ability to gather and organize information relevant to a long-range goal or vision, develop alternative strategies, and execute a course of action to carry out strategy.

BUSINESS RESULTS

• Balanced Scorecard Results: Supports strategies and conducts activities to drive financial results, guest satisfaction, human capital index and market share.
• Financial and Accounting Management: Effectively manages the day to day operation of Accounting to execute finance and accounting responsibilities for the property. Develops annual business plan, budgets, forecasts, financial reports, tax compliance, and profit and loss statements. Works through own team and influencing department managers to ensure appropriate controls are in place to manage business risks.
• Human Resources: Assists in the hiring of accounting associates, and development and retention of a diverse high caliber workforce to provide strong functional expertise to the property and the discipline. Sustains a work environment that focuses on fair and equitable treatment and associate satisfaction to enable business success.

JOB FAMILY CORE WORK ACTIVITIES

• Ensuring Report Delivery Deadlines - Submitting reports in a timely manner, ensuring delivery deadlines.
• Ensuring P&L Accuracy - Ensuring profits and losses are documented accurately, in line with Marriott Processes and procedures.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Demonstrating Leadership - Utilizing interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and encourage others; advocates sound financial/business decision making; demonstrates honesty/integrity; leads by example.
• Achieving/Exceeding Goals - Achieving and exceeding goals including performance goals, budget goals, team goals, etc.
• Demonstrating Knowledge - Demonstrating knowledge of job-relevant issues, products, systems, and processes.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work and the work of the finance team.
• Generating and Delivering Accurate and Timely Results - Generating and providing accurate and timely results in the form of reports, presentations, etc.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. The ability to make decisions essential.
• Communicating Information Timely - Informing and/or updating the executives, the peers and the subordinates on relevant information in a timely manner.
• Ensuring that All Taxes are Current, Collected and/or Accrued - Monitoring all taxes that apply, ensuring that taxes are current, collected and/or accrued.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

JOB SPECIFIC TASKS

• Communicates financial concepts in a clear and persuasive manner that is easy to understand and drives desired behaviours.
• Advises the Executive committee on existing and evolving operating/financial issues.
• Provides ongoing analytical support (e.g. monitoring the operating department's actual and projected sales and profit and coaches management team to ensure financial goals are met and opportunities are identified and addressed).
• Produces accurate forecasts that enable operations to react to changes in the business.
• Provides assistance developing the annual business plan, budgets and monthly forecasts.
• Provides analytical support during budget reviews to identify cost saving and productivity opportunities.
• Provide direction and assistance to other organizational units regarding accounting and budgeting policies and procedures, and efficient control and utilization.
• Orients hotel managers to the accounting function and coaches to effectively manage their department's financial performance.
• Produces accurate and timely financial reports to support effective decision making.
• Provides meaning or context to the financial results.
• Ensures that the P&L is accurate (i.e., costs are properly matched to revenue, costs are recorded in the proper accounts) and statements are delivered to appropriate individuals in a timely manner.
• Reconciles balance sheet and ensures account balances are current and supported by appropriate documentation in accordance with SOPs.
• Facilitates critique meetings to review results with management team.
• Celebrates successes and publicly recognizes the contributions of team members.
• Leverages strong functional leadership and communication skills to influence the management team and to lead own team.
• Establishes and maintains open, collaborative relationships with associates and ensures associates do the same within the team.
• Creates a working environment that enables the retention of top talent and where individuals perform at their best.
• Ensures team members are cross-trained to support successful daily operations.
• Conducts annual performance appraisals with direct reports according to Standard Operating Procedures.
• Encourages open dialogue between team members.
• Assigns team members and other department managers clear accountability to accomplish goals.
• Uses all available on the job training tools for associates.
• Oversees internal, external and regulatory audit processes and ensures compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring hotel policies are administered fairly and consistently.
• Maintains a strong accounting & operational control environment to safeguard assets improve operations and profitability and manage business risks.
• Ensures disciplinary procedures and documentation are completed according to Standard and Local Operating Procedures (SOPs and LSOPs) and support the Peer Review Process.
• Generates and reviews financial reports that are linked to the plan's financial goals.
• Ensures tax rates used for sales/use tax are current and proper amounts are collected and/or accrued.
• Completes adhoc requests from DOF.