Lead Financial Controller Home Counties Hotel Group

This is an exciting opportunity for someone to join a growing privately owned Home Counties Hotel Group. Can be office (Central London or Home Counties Stevenage or Bedford) based, or work from home - will be needed within the business c25%

THE ROLE:

• Oversee all aspects of accounting, reporting, and Management Accounts for small privately owned hotel group.
• Oversee the month-end process, including preparation of management accounts, cashflow forecasting, key business KPIs, and commentary for senior leadership.
• Review monthly financial reports, analysing variances between actual performance and budget across revenue, costs, and payroll.
• Attend monthly board meetings at alternate hotels.
• Attend each hotel monthly (Bedford, Rugby, and Stevenage), discuss financial performance with Hotel Manager, maintain budget forecast for following 12-month period.
• Attend monthly meetings with Asset Manager and Directors for full business review.
• Line management for two Financial Controllers, to include regular contact, managing workflows and training and development.
• Act as point of contact for external accountants for end of year accounts and financial audit.
• Preparation of information for lenders Compliance Certificates and MI.
• Develop and implement financial policies, internal controls, and procedures to ensure legal compliance, profitability, and operational efficiency.
• Submit VAT returns.
• Manage journal entries, invoices etc. and reconcile accounts for the monthly or annual closing.
• Support the credit control function by ensuring timely debt collection, overseeing purchase ledger activity, and managing banking processes.

THE PERSON:

• Experience in a hotel environment in a financial role.
• A recognised financial qualification (e.g. ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Excellent working knowledge of Xero.
• Excellent team player, excited by a key role within the business and be a true Finance Business Partner.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organisational and planning abilities, with the capacity to prioritise tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in financial systems and IT applications.

IN RETURN:

• Join a growing, ambitious company with a strong focus on employee development and career progression.
• A competitive salary.
• Employee discounts on food and beverage and accommodation across the group.
• Access to an employee benefit scheme offering hundreds of discounts on high street shopping, gym memberships, cinemas, will writing, cycle to work scheme and various others.
• Employee of the Month recognition award scheme with an annual trip for all Employees of the Month and a cash sum for the Employee of the Year.
• Free and confidential 24-hour staff assistance help line, supporting employees mental wellbeing.
• Long service recognition and rewards.

OUR VALUES:

• Building positive teams to make the difference.
• Teamwork.
• Exceeding customer expectations every time.
• Professionalism.
• Helping each other work smarter.
• Efficiency.
• Empowering each other to make an impact.
• Quality.
• Having a big smile! Friendliness.

Distinct Group Ltd is proud to be a member of the Hoteliers Charter, therefore making a commitment to providing a workplace environment built on the foundations of respect, fairness, equality, diversity and opportunity; and to placing colleagues wellness and career development at the heart of our operations. Therefore, the successful candidate will have a similar passion and way of working.