The Analyst for Hotel Accounting will assume responsibility for coordinating and delivering the day-to-day processes that will ensure smooth running of the Hotel Accounting function within Hilton’s UK Centre of Excellence. Working with the Hotel Accounting Manager, supporting the delivery of the function strategy and goals surrounding the processes involved in the delivery of accurate and timely reporting for c.40+ hotels
What will I be doing?
Under the guidance of the Hotel Accounting Manager, you will be responsible for the delivery of Hotel Accounting processes to agreed timetable and Service Level Agreement. The Senior Analyst will ensure Hilton’s Centre of Excellence offers a seamless, efficient and customer focused experience which focuses on output without compromising the quality of service. The ability to recognise how to maximise process efficiency and effectiveness is considered essential. You will work with the team to support the delivery of change programmes, which will involve maximising the benefits available to a best-in-class service.
You will participate and play a part in engendering a sense of empowerment in the pursuit of first-class service, supporting the delivery of Hotel Accounting strategies and the team activities on a day-to-day basis; this will require a meticulous attention to detail, the ability to understand and interpret business metrics within the Hotel Accounting arena and make recommendations where appropriate. They will also support the review of Hotel Accounting Service Level Agreements (SLA’s), assisting with the refinement and ongoing monitoring to ensure that agreed service delivery metrics are met or exceeded.
Key to the success of the role will be the ability to communicate and influence at various levels, both internally and with external stakeholders. Experience in participating in projects and the ability to simultaneously manage multiple tasks and deliver to tight deadlines are considered essential elements of this role.
As well as being an important and more experienced member of the Hotel Accounting team, during key periods throughout the year, you will be heavily involved in the audit programmes for our managed properties. You will be required to liaise with multiple external auditors, often in the ‘Big 4’ on their requirements, organise and collate responses across the CoE and feedback all items per the audit deadlines. Where issues arise, you will seek guidance from the Hotel Accounting Manager and Senior Manager to ensure no reputational risks for Hilton or the CoE.
Essential Functions:
Organising Activities
• Following direction and guidance from management, carry out and co-ordinate all required Hotel Accounting related tasks. Completing in a timely and efficient manner whilst working toward the successful achievement of goals and KPIs
• Where continuous issues arise with a process, propose potential solutions to Management and implement, upon agreement
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of the end-to-end processes in all areas of Hotel Accounting responsibility, supporting the confident delivery of solutions and responses to questions and queries
Co-ordinating Activities
• Support the Set up and attends team meetings / huddles, etc. pertinent to work assignments and other business-related activities as required
• Co-ordinate day to day activities ensuring the successful and timely delivery of all Hotel Accounting activities
• Support the delivery of relevant metrics to support the team activities and drive improvement across the business
• Input to the production of relevant and timely Management Information
• Participate in the provision of guidance and support to the business on operating best practice
• Assist in the coordination with 3rd party service providers (outsourcing provider, auditors, valuation specialists, financial printer, software vendors) to ensure all necessary information is compiled, reviewed, and approved
• Input to the process of evaluating the effectiveness of current processes and implement actions to streamline the processes and maximize efficiency
• Work with the locations and other functions to monitor and resolve queries and escalated items, ensuring the required processes and timelines are maintained
• Ensure all monthly closing and reporting activities are carried out per guidelines and deadlines.
Administrative Activities
• Perform monthly closing and post-closing activities such as financial statement variance reviews, issues arising throughout the closing and post-close period, balance sheet reconciliations and workpaper reviews
• Carry out analytical reviews and process approved adjustments based on identified variances, preparing a summary report of the balancing outcomes
• Provide UK regulations, statutory requirements, and internal control guidance to other team members
• Serve as Hotel Accounting liaison for hotels and other corporate functions in relation to all Hotel Accounting activities
• Carry out all Hotel Accounting processes and validation activities, ensuring all accounting is accurately and timely recorded
• Support Manager with 3rd party providers to implement system / process changes as required with a continuous monitoring process in place to track any changes to system parameters
• Completion of Balance Sheet Reconciliations, resolving reconciling items on a timely basis in line with policy and ensuring any ageing is appropriately explained.
• Complete tasks in compliance with required SOX controls, with peer reviews in place to test controls within the team. Highlight to Manager any potential issues in advance with recommendations for changes to controls where required
• Researches and responds to information requests from stakeholders and management
• Complete hotel transitions checklist
• Collaborates with manager to establish specific goals and plans to prioritize, organise, and accomplish project/department goals
What are we looking for?
• Ability to work with limited supervision, using own initiative with ‘can-do’ approach, thriving under pressure in a fast-paced environment, being able to handle multiple demands and appropriately prioritise responsibilities
• Solid understanding of accounting principles and GAAP
• Good technical skills and strong exposure to general ledger accounting and reconciliations
• Ability to use multiple systems and understand how they link together, to provide training to other team members and recommendations to management
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, critical thinking, quantitative & qualitative analytical skills, and decision-making skills to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions and to provide recommendations for optimal solutions
• Strong inter-personal skills and able to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, managers and clients with well-developed written and verbal communication and comprehension skills
• Good knowledge of finance modules of an ERP system such as SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft
• Ability to identify financial issues, recommend and execute mitigating actions
• Excellent written and verbal communication and comprehension skills.
Required Qualifications
• Relevant level of work experience in accounting
• BA/ BS/ Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
• Ideally a member of recognized accounting body, having either started or intending to start Qualification process.
* Some domestic/international travel may be required
Preferred Qualifications
• Intermediate/final stages of recognised accounting body Accounting Certificate/ Qualification
• Some supervisory experience & Experience of dealing with Internal/External auditors
