About Four Seasons:
Four Seasons is powered by our people. We are a collective of individuals who crave to become better, to push ourselves to new heights and to treat each other as we wish to be treated in return. Our team members around the world create amazing experiences for our guests, residents, and partners through a commitment to luxury with genuine heart. We know that the best way to enable our people to deliver these exceptional guest experiences is through a world-class employee experience and company culture.
At Four Seasons, we believe in recognizing a familiar face, welcoming a new one and treating everyone we meet the way we would want to be treated ourselves. Whether you work with us, stay with us, live with us or discover with us, we believe our purpose is to create impressions that will stay with you for a lifetime. It comes from our belief that life is richer when we truly connect to the people and the world around us.
About the location:
About the role
The Assistant Director of Finance is responsible for safeguarding the hotel assets and financial resources contributing towards maximizing hotel profitability.
What you will do
Main Duties/Description:
1. Supervise the day-to-day operation of the Accounting office.
2. Ensure that all local and corporate policies and procedures are observed.
PEOPLE FUNCTIONS
• Maintain harmonious and professional relationship with all departments and Home Office.
• Comply with and enforce Four Seasons’ Category One and Category Two Work Rules and Standards of Conduct as set forth in EmPact.
• Plan, organize, lead and control different projects and activities within the finance team.
• Identify coaching moments and ensure that those moments become opportunities of learning and development for the Finance team.
• Establish a rapport with the Finance team and other divisions within the hotel.
• Have a global working perspective and excellent communication skills – written and verbal
• Great understanding of Self-Esteem and Self-Actualization of Team and ensure proper support and help is provided whenever needed.
• Have the ability to supervise the day-to-day duties of the Finance team and assist as necessary.
• Hold monthly department meetings with Accounting Staff to ensure communication and address any issues that are affecting the team.
• Participate in and develop staff training programs in order to minimize staff turnover and maintain high morale. Particular emphasis should be given to those individuals qualifying for future advancement.
• Supervise, train and motivate department staff to thoroughly understand all of their duties and responsibilities.
• Meet with the Director of Finance on a regular basis to communicate all accounting activities and results of the Accounting office meeting or any other related issues.
• Actively network within the community to attract potential candidates for recruitment purposes.
• Prepare reviews and development plans and take appropriate personnel-related action (i.e. hire, commend, discipline, evaluate, etc.) with Accounting staff as required.
• Conduct self in a professional manner at all times.
PRODUCT FUNCTIONS
• Thoroughly understand and possess a working knowledge of the Accounting & Finance Manual
• Excellent understanding of Month-End Process including, but not limited to, preparation of financial statements, accruals and journal entries, maintain reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts in established corporate formats and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals.
• Great attention to detail along with a continuous innovation of daily working of the Finance team under the direction of the Director of Finance.
• Coordinate, observe and prepare all operating equipment and supply inventories in accordance with corporate policies and as directed by the Director of Finance.
• Prepare Daily Cash Position report and maintain the highest level of investment of excess funds in accordance with corporate guidelines as prescribed in the Accounting & Finance Manual.
• Assist the Director of Finance in preparation of all budgets and forecasts.
• Excellent understanding of the current Edition of USALI.
• Prepare or oversee the preparation of all local, state and federal tax returns and other reporting (including 80-20 rule reporting) on a timely basis.
• Ensure rent expense is calculated accurately per the terms of the Management Agreement, Leasehold Agreement or Easement Agreement and that payments are made or the outstanding liability for the rent accrual exists and is accurate.
• Ensure the outstanding liability for all revenue/profit related fees (i.e. Management Fees, Incentive Fees, Marketing Fees, Advertising Fees, Royalty Fees) is accurate and complies with the respective Management Agreement(s).
• Ensure electronic payments have the signatory of a member of Group B on each individual page and the initials of a member of Group A and both members of Group A and B sign the Batch Total of the payment run.
• Ensure strict access controls over unused cheques to prevent improper or unauthorized use of the documents and ensure there is segregation of duties in place to safeguard the writing and voiding of negotiable bank cheques.
• Ensure accurate exchange rates in Financial Reporting are applied to the local currency (where applicable) and valued in the currency stipulated in the Management Agreement.
• Ensure post-departure credit card credit allowances are performed only by accounting and all such allowances are reviewed and signed per the SR-5 by Director of Finance or Assistant Director of Finance and all “Unmatched Credits” reports provided by credit card processing company are reviewed/scrutinized by DOF monthly and retained by the Director of Finance.
• Approve all journal entries with supporting documentation (as appropriate) and ensure all non-standard, non-recurring entries are countersigned by Director of Finance.
• Ensure the system is set up to prevent month end closing without all journal entries being posted, updated or otherwise entered into the General Ledger.
• Ensure that monthly reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts are prepared and all bank reconciliations are countersigned by Director of Finance on a monthly and on a quarterly basis; Director of Finance approves all reconciliations paying special attention to reconciling items.
• Coordinate and facilitate external and internal audits.
• As required, have a working knowledge of residential (or other entity) accounting procedures and how it affects the hotel’s financials.
• Continuously strive for improvement of processes and efficiency.
PROFIT FUNCTIONS
• Monitor and control expenses of the hotel paying special attention to the daily reporting done by the auditor of the hotel and addressing issues that not only have material effect, but also effect the guest experience.
• Ensure that House Funds and Floats Counts are up to date and limit any kind of exposure that would affect the profitability.
• Assist the Director of Finance in Forecasting/Budgeting
• Ensure gains/losses on the sale/disposal of fixed assets are properly disclosed and recorded on the Statement of Changes in financial position (SR-25 where applicable) and on the P&L statement.
• For locations that maintain full balance sheets including fixed assets, ensure accumulated depreciation accounts are accurate and properly recorded.
Standard Duties:
1. To provide a friendly and professional service that always exceeds guests’ expectations.
2. To ensure you read the hotel's employee handbook and have an understanding of and adhere to the hotel's rules and regulations and in particular, the policies and procedures relating to Fire, Hygiene, Health and Safety.
3. To undertake other duties and responsibilities which, while outside the normal routine, are within the overall scope of the position.
4. To report for duty punctually wearing professional attire. To maintain a high standard of personal appearance and hygiene and adhere to the hotel and department personal appearance standards.
5. To comply with local legislation as required.
6. To maintain good working relationships with your colleagues and all other departments through working by The Golden Rule.
7. To respond to any changes in the division as dictated by the needs of the industry, company or hotel.
8. To be flexible and extend job duties to carry out any other reasonable duties and responsibilities within the job capability as assigned, including redeployment to alternative departments/areas if required, to meet business demands and guest service needs.
9. Conduct and attend training sessions as outlined.
10. Perform other tasks or projects as assigned by the Director of Finance or General Manager.
What you bring
• A minimum of at least 3 to 5 years of experience in the similar role in a luxury brand in the UAE; Residential experience is a plus
• University degree – major in Accounting or Finance
• Proficient in English (speaking, reading, writing), Arabic Language a plus
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
What we offer
• Competitive Salary, wages, and a comprehensive benefits package
• Excellent Training and Development opportunities
• Complimentary Accommodation at other Four Seasons Hotels and Resort
• Complimentary Dry Cleaning for Employee Uniforms
• Complimentary Employee Meals
• and so much more!