Finance Controller in London

Company Description

About The LaLiT: We are one of the leading privately-owned domestic hotel brands in India, engaged in the business of operating and managing hotels, palaces and resorts, with a focus on the luxury segment. We operate 12 luxury hotels, palaces and resorts under The LaLiT brand and two mid-market segment hotels under The LaLiT Traveller brand across India's key business and leisure travel destinations, offering 2,261 rooms. In addition, we hold the exclusive rights to operate and provide management consultancy services to a hotel in London, The LaLiT London, offering 70 rooms.

Our luxury hotels operating across India under The LaLiT brand are grouped into the following three categories:

• City hotels: The LaLiT New Delhi, The LaLiT Mumbai, The LaLiT Ashok Bangalore, The LaLiT Great Eastern Kolkata, The LaLiT Jaipur and The LaLiT Chandigarh.
• Palaces: The LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace Udaipur and The LaLiT Grand Palace Srinagar.
• Resorts: The LaLiT Golf & Spa Resort Goa, The LaLiT Resort & Spa Bekal (Kerala), The LaLiT Mangar and The LaLiT Temple View Khajuraho.

Job Description: Assists and provides financial guidance in the formulation and implementation of Strategic Plan, Budget and KPO's (Goals Program). Ensure an up to date cash flow projection is maintained and maximises cash flow performance of the hotel through controls on inventory, credit and collection, disbursements, deposits and remittances. Ensure excess cash is managed to maximise earning potential. Prepares outlooks for forthcoming months and forecasts for the remainder of the year. Prepares monthly position of actual results against budget, analyses results and recommends to Executive Committee measures required to meet budget. Prepare consolidated quarterly position assessments for the General Manager. Distributes outlook and forecast information as an up to date management tool for operating departments. Implement and review financial controls and policies. Analyse financial and management reports. Design internal reporting systems required by the department and hotel. Evaluate existing internal control measures that apply to accounting procedures and computer systems as per Policies and Procedures. Employ adequate internal control procedures to ensure correct authorisation for payment procedures. Manage internal and external audits when they occur. Provides administrative support to Management with reference to policy enforcement, business advice and operational assistance. Identifies training needs, develops formal training plans and conducts training sessions for accounting and operational staff in coordination with other departments. Identifies staff with potential for promotion and/or transfer within Accounting operation. Obtains appropriate legal counsel regarding the business practices of the hotel and maintains an awareness of local laws, rules and regulations. Provides safekeeping, including proper storage and access for all contracts, leases and other financial records. Follows up on all capital expenditures to ensure compliance with original justification and approval. Participates in local recognised professional and industry organisations. Recommends and maintains appropriate list of delegation of authority for hotel management. Conducts monthly inspections and tests to ensure all departments are complying with required procedures. Performs those duties required by the controls checklist issued by CFO. Reviews prices and recommends pricing strategy to the General Manager. Implements and maintains acceptable accounting practices and procedures as required, generally accepted accounting practices, and as affected by local conditions. Review of operating equipment stores to avoid unnecessary/excessive purchases and to eliminate (or at least be aware) of obsolete slow moving items. Ensure all accounts are reconciled on a monthly basis, review and approve those reconciliations.

Key Tasks:

• Drive For Results: Compete against a standard of excellence by setting high performance standards and pursuing aggressive goals. Strive for constant improvements and take responsibility for achieving business results and persevere despite obstacles.
• Courage and Conviction: Use your beliefs and values to benefit the success of the business. Take calculated risks. Constructively challenge the views and opinions of others and question your own assumptions. Take on board new ways of thinking. Take personal ownership for action.
• Understanding the Market: Seek knowledge on different aspects of internal and external marketplace and inquire about underlying aspects of the business. Gather information from a variety of sources to establish the different facts affecting the business. Demonstrate an understanding of issues relevant to the business and keep your knowledge up to date including legislative information.
• Strategic Thinking and Innovation: Stand back and think about the broader perspective in order to visualise the way forward. Think about the future and create innovative ideas in order to maximise market opportunities. Recognise the need for new and modified approaches which will benefit the business.
• Customer Focus: Build and maintain positive relationships with all customers and guests in order to exceed their needs. Take action to address these needs in order to exceed their expectations. Create a positive hotel image in every interaction with internal and external customers. Champion hotel brand standards. Ensure your direct reports have current guest focused standards and procedures which are used effectively for training purposes.
• Understanding People: Demonstrate an insight into the behaviour and interests of individuals and use this knowledge to motivate people. Understand human behavioural trends in the marketplace and use this to take initiatives.
• Working within Organisations: Regularly read to understand the relationships within the business and other organizations such as customers and suppliers and use this knowledge to predict situations and influence outcomes. Demonstrate a flexible and mature management style and adapt your actions to influence others to achieve results. Adhere to InterContinental Hotel Group Corporate Code of Conduct.
• Impact and Influence: Promote your ideas persuasively, and shape the opinion of subordinates and overcome resistance. Build consensus for action and negotiate mutually beneficial solutions to problems.
• Leading to Win: Inspire your teams to achieve and exceed the overall business objectives. Communicate a compelling vision and create enthusiasm and commitment. Motivate a broad range of people through changing circumstances.
• Building Capacity: Recognise and develop the potential of yourself and your direct reports. Use strengths of others to build organization capability for the future and recognise the advantage diversity brings. Identify and develop talented individuals to benefit ICHG.

Qualifications: BCOM / CA / Master Degree with (7-9) years of relevant experience in Hospitality. CIMA - Mandatory.

Additional Information: Should be London based. Expats welcome.