Director of Finance Acctg & Bus Supp - InterContinental Washington DC - The Wharf

About Us 

IHG Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest hotel companies in the world and one of the world’s leading hotel and resort companies with a family of 19 brands. Our purpose – True Hospitality for Good – comes to life in every one of our collections. With luxury and lifestyle, we are taking it to new heights.

Five visionary brands - InterContinental, Regent Hotels, Six Senses, Vignette Collection and Kimpton Hotels - make up our luxury collection. Individually, they are icons. Together, they bring unforgettable and unparalleled experiences to travelers in over 430 hotels and resorts in 100 countries around the world. 

Having recently added a host of incredible properties to our portfolio, we now stand as one of the world’s leading luxury operators. Each of our hotels cultivates a distinctive style and ambience where we embrace every opportunity to give our guests unforgettable and unparalleled experiences. 

About the hotel

A luxurious hotel destination at The Wharf on D.C.’s Waterfront, the InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf in the reimagined Wharf neighborhood brings sophistication to its contemporary style. Perfectly placed on the beautiful Potomac River, InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf enjoys the most incredible waterfront views of D.C. Steps away from America’s political epicenter, the hotel embraces guests with an exquisitely curated resort destination that reignites the river’s edge and a captivating sanctuary in the center of The Wharf neighborhood, paying homage to the maritime and industrial-working heritage of its setting.  Featuring a relaxing seasonal rooftop pool with striking Potomac River views and the indulging full-service spa, The Spa at The Wharf, modern luxury, culture, and a rich history combine in the Wharf neighborhood to create a perfect atmosphere for guests and locals alike.

About the Director of Finance position

Direct the financial operations of the hotel to ensure the security of the assets of the company. This is the top Accounting job in a large full service, luxury hotel.  Typically supervises clerical accounting employees in a full range of functions such as Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit/Collections, Purchasing, Audit, Payroll, and/or Accounting Operations.

Financial Returns

Manage receivables, payables, credit, payroll and cash handling functions with the accounting department.  Implement and maintain acceptable accounting practices and procedures as required by company policy and procedures, generally accepted accounting practices, and as effected by local conditions.

Prepare financial analyses of hotel operations including variance explanation and make recommendations to ensure the achievement of business goals/targets.

Use financial analysis, data trends and market information to anticipate needs, identify operating/financial issues, and recommend actions to maximize financial return. Highlight trends that are likely to shape the wants and needs of internal and external customers of the future; lead the organization in exploring business opportunities that create value for the customer while driving profit.

Develop and implement financial control procedures and systems; ensure compliance to “internal Control Checkup”; maintain documents for audits of hotel accounts; ensure compliance with government regulations; federal, state and local laws; and contractual agreements. Independently comply with record retention requirements.

Create the annual operating budget for the property and provide analytical support during budget reviews to identify cost saving and productivity opportunities for property managers.

Analyze ROI capital projects prior to committing funds and upon completion determine if anticipated results were achieved. 

Maximize cash flow performance of the hotel through controls on inventory, credit and collection, disbursements, deposits and remittances.

Enforce, document and establish adequate controls for all revenue and expenses and protection of assets, and ensures controls will satisfy or improve the level of guest service.

Review rates and recommends rate strategy to the General Manager; participates in sales strategy meetings.

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 monthly basis, review and approve those reconciliations.

Ensure payments are made to IHG (All Fees and billings) as fast as possible.

People

Serve as member of Executive Committee/Management Team, and work with other management personnel to establish and implement hotel service standards to achieve maximum profitability and efficiency.

Ensure all staff are properly trained and have the tools and equipment needed to effectively carry out their job functions.

Promote teamwork and quality service through daily communication and coordination with other departments.  Key departmental contacts include hotel department heads in all departments, and Regional Controller to obtain/provide information. Interact with outside contacts:

• Guests – to provide service, send bills and collect payment
• Vendors – to pay bills or discuss pricing or billing issues; to ensure proof of insurance
• HMG accounting staff – to coordinate financial/accounting information, budget preparation, clarify issues and resolve problems.
• Regulatory agencies – regarding compliance matters
• Other contacts as needed (Professional organizations, community groups)

Guest Experience

Respond quickly to guest requests in a friendly manner. Follow up to ensure guest satisfaction.

Responsible Business

Manage day-to-day operations and assignments of hotel Accounting staff, plan and organize work, communicate goals, and schedule/assign work.  Advise staff of formal policies and procedures, identifying options and resolving issues.  Recommend and/or initiate salary, disciplinary, or other staffing-related actions in accordance with company rules and policies.  Alert management of potentially serious issues.

Distribute outlook and forecast information as an up to date management tool for operating departments.

Participate in local recognized professional and industry organizations.

Conduct daily pre-shift meetings and departmental communication meetings.

May serve as “manager on duty” as required.

May perform additional accounting management duties such as negotiating hotel space and tenant leases; processing payroll in a decentralized environment; performing asset management duties; providing forecasting and business projections, displacement analysis, preparing government reports, filing tax returns, etc. as needed or requested.

May assist with other duties as assigned.

What We Need From You

Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or equivalent and 4-8 years in hotel accounting or audit with at least one year in an Assistant Controller or similar supervisory role, or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience.  CPA preferred.  Must speak fluent English.  Other languages preferred.

This job requires ability to perform the following:

Carrying or lifting items weighing up to 25 pounds

Communicating with other people

Other:

Mathematical skills, including basic math, budgeting, profit/loss concepts, percentages, and variances are utilized frequently.

Problem solving, reasoning, motivating, organizational and training abilities are used often. 

Reading abilities are used often in reviewing financial analyses, budgets, and other related reports.  Writing abilities are used in compiling these financial reports, as well as to document. 

May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.

What you can expect from us

We give our people everything they need to succeed. From a competitive salary that rewards all your hard work to a wide range of benefits designed to help you live your best work life – including impressive room discounts and some of the best training in the business. 

The salary range for this role is $130,000.00 to $160,000.00. This is the lowest to highest pay scale we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. This rate is only applicable for jobs to be performed in Washington, DC. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee’s pay position within the pay range will be based on several factors including, but limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, and business or organizational needs. 

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401k, and many other benefits to eligible employees.

You can apply for this role through the link below (or through the internal career site if you are a current employee). 

Note: No amount of pay is considered wages or compensation until earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, or any other form of compensation that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams where we celebrate difference and encourage colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. IHG Hotels & Resorts provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. We promote a culture of trust, support, and acceptance by always welcoming different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 

IHG Hotels & Resorts gives every member of the team the room they need to belong, grow and make a difference in a collaborative environment. We know that to work well, we need to feel well – both inside and outside of work – and through our myWellbeing framework, we are committed