Ship Financial Controller for Azamara Cruises

Ship Financial Controller for Azamara Cruises

Department: Hotel

Employment Type: Contract

Location: Shipboard

Description

V.Ships Leisure is looking for Ship Controller of Azamara Cruises. The Ship Controller is responsible for supervising the financial operations onboard Azamara ships, ensuring accurate, efficient, and compliant management of financial processes for the entire vessel. This role involves the direct supervision of the Payroll Officer, responsible for crew payroll management and Guest Accounts Officer, who handle guest accounts and onboard financial transactions. The Inventory Managers, who oversee hotel procurement and inventory operations, and Marine Store Controllers who oversee marine procurement and marine inventory operations must offer full cooperation and full visibility to the Ship Controller for financial reporting and cost control. The Ship Controller ensures all financial activities are in compliance with policies and procedures, with a primary focus on cost control, accurate reporting, and the safeguarding of company assets.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages and controls all financial operations within the hotel department onboard, ensuring that processes are accurate, efficient, and compliant with company policies.
• Reviews and reconciles daily financial reports, including revenue, expenses, and cash flows.
• Ensures all financial data is entered accurately into relevant systems (Fidelio SPMS, MXP, MXP POS, ShipSure) and regularly reviews system reports for accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborates with department heads to monitor and analyze financial performance and
  identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Oversees the Guest Accounts Officer to ensure all guest transactions, billing, adjustments, and refunds are accurately recorded and processed.
• Conducts periodic audits of guest accounts to verify accuracy, compliance, and identify
  discrepancies.
• Resolves any escalated issues related to guest financial transactions or disputes, providing exceptional service to maintain guest satisfaction.
• Oversees the Payroll Officer in their managing and processing of crew payroll, ensuring timely and accurate payment.
• Reviews and approves all payroll adjustments, deductions, and commissions are processed accurately and in compliance with Company policies and maritime regulations.
• Reviews and approves crew payroll to maintain accuracy and identify potential improvements in the payroll process.
• Conducts a final audit of the payroll files before processing and approving the sending of payroll files to V.Ships Payroll team and shoreside accounting.
• Reviews and manages the approval of all time and attendance for each department; ensuring T&A reported is accurate and in compliance with MLC policy.
• Oversees the reasonableness of overtime within crew payroll and is not in excess of departmental overtime budgets.
• Conducts periodic physical spot checks of all Hotel inventory items and ensuring it complies accurately with MXP inventory.
• Oversees the inventory process to ensure accurate tracking, monitoring, and reporting of inventory levels and procurement activities.
• Supervises Hotel inventory costs, ensuring optimal stock levels to avoid excess inventory or stockouts.
• Monitors and tests internal stock controls held onboard the ships by overseeing the safeguard of Hotel inventory controls for accuracy.
• Supervises accurate tracking, reconciliation, and reporting of inventory values for hotel stores in compliance with company financial policies and accounting standards.
• Monitors and validates purchase orders raised by the Inventory Manager for financial compliance and budgetary limits.
• Implements and maintains internal control procedures to prevent financial mismanagement or fraud in Hotel inventory operations.
• Ensures compliance with company policies and applicable Hotel inventory financial regulations.
• Coordinates with the Inventory Manager to ensure timely submission of Hotel inventory financial data for monthly and annual reporting.
• Conducts periodic spot checks of all Marine inventory items and ensuring it complies accurately with MXP inventory.
• Oversees Marine Store Controllers to ensure accurate tracking, monitoring, and reporting of inventory levels and procurement activities.
• Supervises Marine inventory costs, ensuring optimal stock levels to avoid excess inventory or stockouts.
• Monitors and tests internal controls held onboard the ships by overseeing the safeguard of Marine Stores controls for accuracy.
• Supervises accurate tracking, reconciliation, and reporting of inventory values for marine stores in compliance with company financial policies and accounting standards.
• Monitors and validates purchase orders raised by the Marine Store Controller for financial compliance and budgetary limits.
• Implements and maintains internal control procedures to prevent financial mismanagement or fraud in marine store operations.
• Ensures compliance with company policies and applicable maritime financial regulations.
• Coordinates with the Marine Store Controller to ensure timely submission of marine store financial data for monthly and annual reporting.
• Reviews and approves ships account/DA before the actual service or a purchase takes place.
• Reviews the preliminary figures of port costs affecting the DA and enters preliminary figures in MXP.
• Coordinates with V.Ships Port Operations team and Azamara shoreside Port Operations to review and approve port cost invoices.
• Monitors the port cost invoices and enters the invoice totals in MXP ensuring they accurately match the preliminary figure, and takes corrective action as required.
• Ensures complete and accurate reporting of port services in each port of call.
• Ensures that all financial operations comply with Company policies and procedures, internal controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Conducts regular audits of financial processes and systems, addressing any irregularities and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Prepares reports and documentation for internal and external audits, assisting auditors as necessary.
• Provides guidance, mentorship, and training to Payroll Officers, Guest Accounts Officers, Inventory Managers and Marine Store Controllers regarding their fiscal responsibility and fostering a culture of accountability to support the development of their fiscal awareness.
• Sets performance expectations and conducts appraisals for direct report team members to support their growth and improvement.
• Contributes financial performance feedback to the Hotel Director for the Inventory Manager’s appraisal and to the Chief Engineer for the Marine Store Controller’s appraisal.
• Obtains operational knowledge in Fidelio SPMS, MXP, and MXP POS and ShipSure systems, utilizing these tools to support financial operations, reporting, and audits.
• Troubleshoots and resolves any system issues that may arise, coordinating with IT and shore‑based support teams as needed.
• Responsible for effectively managing the time and attendance of their own and direct reports work and rest hours in accord with MLC regulations and company procedures.
• Responsible for managing the ship’s time and attendance operated across all departments is in compliance with MLC regulations and within the company’s budgeted Overtime.
• Shipboard employees will be required to perform any other job‑related duties assigned by their management.
• Leads by example, demonstrating integrity, professionalism, and commitment to the company’s financial and service standards.
• Strives for an engaged, professional and stable Finance team with pride in both ship and company being motivated and high‑performing shipboard employees.
• Responsible for developing a team spirit amongst direct reports.
• As one of the lead Financial officers, personifies all of the Company’s principles and standards, acting as a role model at all times.
• Self‑motivation: Takes the initiative to stay abreast of currents trends in leadership and financial business by reading relevant publications and pursuing both leadership and financial job‑related learning platforms.
• Observes and evaluates direct report’s performance and work procedures to ensure quality standards and service are met.
• Inspects workstations, work areas, equipment, etc. to ensure efficient service and conformance to standards.
• Mentors, develops and provides on‑the‑job training to subordinates to strengthen their current performance and preparation for future advancement.

Education/Experience/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Hospitality Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 5 years of financial leadership experience onboard cruise ships, and shipboard operations.
• Advanced knowledge of and expertise in shipboard systems including Fidelio SPMS, MXP, MXP POS and ShipSure systems.
• Previous experience as Crew Purser/Payroll Accountant and Guest Accounts Officer/Chief Purser/Financial Controller is a must. Experience in Inventory Management is an advantage.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively and work collaboratively across departments and build strong relationships with team members.
• High level of integrity and commitment to maintaining confidentiality and accuracy in financial reporting.
• Thorough understanding of onboard financial operation, guest accounts, payroll, inventory, cost and financial leadership positions in the cruise industry and shipboard operations.
• Completion of one contract with a performance rating of proficient or above along with demonstrated leadership skills.
• No disciplinary action on file for the last 12 months.
• Ability to speak English clearly, distinctly and cordially with guests.
• Ability to read and write English in order to understand and interpret written procedures.
• This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms and to effectively present information and respond to questions from guests, supervisors and co‑workers.
• Ability to speak additional languages such as Spanish, French or German is preferred.