Assistant Financial Controller, London – Position Filled

This position has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

Our client is a hospitality and leisure company that operates luxury hotels, train services and river cruises worldwide.

They now have a opportunity for an Assistant Financial Controller to join the Finance Department based in London. The role itself will be based at the company’s depot office and whilst it is a fully sufficient office space it is off site and different to working in a hotel or office headquarters. Prospective candidates would need to be comfortable with this and also understand the role will sometimes require them to go to the operations, e.g to the kitchen to see the chef or depot to see engineers.

This position offers a Hybrid working system- three days in the office and two days working from home.

Position Overview
Reporting to the Financial Controller, the successful candidate will be responsible for assisting with the management of all Central functions for the Trains and Cruises business units, including, General Ledger, Revenue Accounting, Accounts Receivables, Accounts Payable, Taxation, Cash Management and the preparation of information that will assist management in making educated decisions.

Key responsibilities

  • Balancing of the passenger ticket revenue, deferred revenue, credit card refunds, discounts, cancellation revenue, rate discrepancy report and miscellaneous charges and staff charges to Travel Studio.
  • Overseeing the completion of daily banking tasks to ensure that all receipts recorded in Travel Studio posted by the Revenue and Central Accountant have been correctly reflected in the bank/credit card accounts.
  • Communicating the monthly revenues and ensure that all revenues are reviewed and approved by the Financial Controller (FC) and General Manager (GM) of the business units.
  • Supervising and managing the Central and Revenue Accounts Assistant and Credit Controller and Central Accountant including providing effective performance feedback in yearly reviews.
  • Assisting the FC with the preparation of the monthly reporting of the entire financial results of the business in established corporate formats and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (locally and as established by Corporate Office).

A full job description will be shared upon application

Candidate Requirements

  • 2 years+ relevant experience within a similar role
  • Proven leadership ability and experience in handling and coordinating different team
  • A diploma or relevant certificate from a recognised tertiary educational institution
  • Hospitality background is preferable but not essential, what is more crucial is a hands on approach to understand operations and an openess to work with them
  • An ability to communicate with all levels of staff, service providers and multiple stakeholders
  • VAT and Income Tax knowledge advantageous
  • Ability to work under pressure, multitask and prioritise
  • Accurate data entry & advanced Microsoft Excel skills
  • Experience in balance sheets and familiarity of accounting systems

Benefits

  • Competitive salary
    Private healthcare, Employer contribution pension
  • Hybrid working
  • Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

For more information or to apply, please contact Tairona at fm@fmrecruitment.co.uk or call on +44 20 8600 1164

“RevPAR to TRevPAR: More Than a Metric – Insights from HOSPACE 2023”

Introduction
As proud sponsors of HOSPA, FM Recruitment’s Chris Denison Smith, Andrea Shaw and Tairona Lattanzi had the privilege of attending HOSPACE 2023 last week at the Royal Lancaster London. Here we share some of their insights and observations. This year’s conference echoed many of the themes and discussions encountered in similar gatherings throughout 2023, however, offered an additional comprehensive and practical insight from the perspective of the UK’s specialist hospitality leaders.  

From the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to an evolving approach to measuring success, the event provided a valuable forum for these leaders to share ideas and strategies for navigating the hospitality landscape. 

The Role of AI: Augmenting, Not Replacing the Human Touch 
As we have previously reviewed, the impact of Artificial Intelligence and its role in the hospitality industry was a popular theme running through the day. However, the narrative certainly seems to have shifted from the worry of AI as a potential replacement for (human) employees to an enthusiasm for a tool that enhances and complements human capabilities. The discussions centered around the importance of preparing team members to effectively utilise these technologies, while also being adept at managing any technical shortcomings. 

Effectively training employees to operate technologies and empowering them with the skills and acumen to intervene when technology can sometimes fall short, is something that the best businesses have been doing for years, and in this sense, AI is just another technology that could otherwise be badly served by a disinterested employee. 

The warmth, empathy, and personal attention that employees should provide, are irreplaceable and often make the difference in guest satisfaction. Therefore, while AI can enhance efficiency and personalisation, it won’t replace the need for human interaction in the hospitality industry. The future of hospitality lies in a balanced synergy between AI and human ingenuity, where technology is used as a powerful tool to augment, not replace, human service. 

Persistent Resourcing Challenges
The UK’s hospitality industry continues to face significant recruitment and retention challenges and this topic was extensively discussed at the conference. The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook report from the British Chambers of Commerce reported that 79% of hospitality firms were struggling to fill roles in Q3 2023. While this may be a slight decrease from the previous quarter’s (86% in Q2) the hospitality sector, is still the industry most likely to be experiencing challenges. Industry bodies attribute this to a combination of factors, including the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and the implications of Brexit. 

Shift in Revenue Metrics: From RevPAR to TRevPAR
A significant shift in the industry’s approach to measuring success was also evident at the conference. Total Revenue per Available Room (TRevPAR) has overtaken Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) as the most important metric. This shift indicates a broader focus on the profitability of the entire stay, encouraging hotels to maximise opportunities for incremental spend. 

TRevPAR, unlike RevPAR, considers revenue generated from all departments of a hotel, including rooms, food and beverage, spa, parking, and other amenities. This comprehensive metric provides a more holistic view of a hotel’s financial performance, helping hoteliers identify areas where they can increase revenue. 

In terms of maximising opportunities for incremental spend, hotels are exploring innovative ways to merchandise their space. For example, transforming lobbies into chargeable co-working areas or converting dormant meeting rooms into extensions of the restaurant. These strategies not only increase TRevPAR but also enhance the guest experience by offering additional services and amenities.  

The Evolving Role of the Revenue Manager
The knock-on effect of a more holistic approach to total revenue metrics is the expanding scope of the hotel revenue manager. Traditionally focused on managing room rates and negotiating commissions on distribution channels, revenue managers are now at the forefront of strategic and commercial decision-making. With the influx of new data sets and technology, their role has become more sophisticated, requiring a blend of analytical skills, market research, and critical thinking. 

Revenue managers are increasingly seen as the hub of hospitality commercial teams, tasked with a wide range of responsibilities, including implementing and operating technology systems and aligning closely with sales, marketing, and e-commerce. They are expected to lead and solve complex problems, optimising profit while navigating the challenges posed by new data and technology. 

USALI: First Update since 2015
To further support this evolution, the conference also shed light on the most recent update to the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). This update, released late last year and the first since 2015, reflects the change in the industry over the past decade, with new schedules and categories for tracking financial performance. The changes included the introduction of the Energy, Water, and Waste (EWW) Schedule, expanded definitions for rate categories, and enhanced guidance for tracking costs associated with Guest Loyalty Programs. The advice from the financial specialists at HOSPACE underscored the importance of financial controllers becoming certified in the system. 

Keeping the Faith – Outlook for 2024-2025
Looking ahead, the industry’s outlook for 2024-2025 remains steady, with a focus on maintaining high rates and profitability. The expectation is that customers are willing to pay more for high-quality experiences that deliver a higher level of perceived value. This offers opportunities for driving incremental spend and repurposing underutilised space for additional revenue. Increased hotel supply in cities such as London, Edinburgh and Manchester will certainly challenge businesses to drop rates but with revenue managers holding firm so far, we may continue to see growth. 

Conclusion
HOSPACE 2023 provided a wealth of insights into the current trends and future directions of the hospitality industry. The discussions and themes resonated with those observed in similar events throughout the year, emphasising the importance of AI as a tool to enhance human work, the ongoing staffing challenges, the evolving role of revenue management, and the significance of financial tracking systems like USALI. As the industry continues to navigate these challenges and opportunities, the focus remains on balancing technological advancements with the irreplaceable human touch in hospitality. 

If you would like to discuss any of the topics that have been discussed here or any other elements of your people strategy, then please contact:  

 Chris Denison Smith at chrisdenisonsmith@fmrecruitment.co.uk / +44 208 600 1160

Andrea Shaw at  andreashaw@fmrecruitment.co.uk / +44 20 8600 1161

Tairona Lattanzi at taironalattanzi@fmrecruitment.co.uk / +44 20 8600 1164

Director of Finance, Hawaii – Position Filled

This position has now been filled. Please check our latest job opportunities here

We have an amazing opportunity for a Director of Finance to join the team at a luxury resort in the beautiful destination of Hawaii.

Reporting to the Managing Director, the main focus of the role is to oversee and manage the Finance Department and ensure its effective and efficient operations resulting in accurate financial and management reporting in a timely manner.

Main duties include:

  • Ensuring the internal control environment of the resort is maintained and complied with at all times in the resort
  • Providing key financial acumen support to the Managing Director and assist in driving hotel performance
  • Work closely with the Department Heads for Financial Support and advise them on spending and internal control matters.
  • This position will manage all key hotel finance employees and provide support for their monthly operation.

A full position description will be shared upon application

Candidate requirements:

  • Bachelors Degree – Typically degree in Accounting/ Finance/ Business, and a professional accounting designation or MBA in business are typically important.
  • International Managerial Accounting/Finance experience in luxury hotel/resort industry ideally 8+ years within a minimum of ideally 2 recognized branded properties or globally renowned properties.
  • Experience managing small finance teams
  • Competent in the use of Microsoft Office suite of products essential, especially Microsoft Excel
  • Strong knowledge and acceptance of USALI conventions for the Hospitality Industry reporting
  • Strong analytical and accounting skills
  • Good verbal, written communication (English) & interpersonal skills
  • Self-motivated, well organized & meticulous person, with an eye for details
  • Ability to plan, prioritize & implement effectively, multi-task while working effectively in a fast paced and ever changing and challenging environment
  • Must be able to adhere strictly to deadlines
  • Must legally be able to work in the United States

For more information or to apply, please contact Andrea at fm@fmrecruitment.co.uk or call on +44 7714 236 469

Chat Button