Cape Town Region: Hotel Assistant Financial Controller posted by SimplyHRP

The Senior Assistant Financial Controller plays a critical role in supporting the Financial Controller and General Manager in overseeing the Finance and Accounting division of the Hotels. This position ensures the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial reporting, compliance with statutory and group policies, and the sustainability of internal controls. The role encompasses: – Daily revenue reconciliation and reporting across PMS, POS, and SAGE 300/ACCPAC systems. – Preparation of monthly management accounts, forecasts, and variance analyses. – Assistance with annual budgets, strategic plans, and capital expenditure studies. – Maintenance of balance sheet reconciliations and audit readiness. – Oversight of cost control, procurement, and expense management in collaboration with departmental heads. – Deputizing for the Financial Controller when required, ensuring continuity of leadership. – Training, mentoring, and developing finance team members to foster accountability and succession planning. REQUIREMENTS: – Minimum of 3 years’ experience in hotel finance or hospitality accounting, with proven leadership as an Assistant Controller. – Strong business, auditing, and commercial acumen, with the ability to support strategic decision-making. – Proficiency in POS and PMS systems, ACCPAC (Sage 300) or similar accounting packages, and advanced MS Excel skills. – Demonstrated ability to prepare and analyse budgets, forecasts, management accounts, and variance reports. – Strategic focus with the ability to balance operational detail and executive-level reporting. – Proven ability to lead and develop a finance team, fostering accountability and succession planning. – Strong interpersonal and communication skills, fluent in English, with the ability to present confidently to management, owners, and auditors. – Excellent problem-solving skills, integrity, and attention to detail. – Professional, presentable demeanour with high standards of conduct. – Ability to work occasional overtime and meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced hospitality environment. QUALIFICATIONS : – A Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, or a related field is advantageous. – Proven track record of 5 years’ experience in hotel finance or hospitality accounting, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or assistant controller role. – Strong technical knowledge of financial reporting standards, internal controls, and compliance requirements. – Proficiency in ACCPAC (Sage 300) or similar accounting packages, PMS/POS systems, and advanced MS Excel. – Demonstrated ability to prepare and analyse budgets, forecasts, management accounts, and variance reports. – Experience in audit preparation and liaison with internal/external auditors. – Solid understanding of revenue management, cost control, and capital expenditure planning. – Excellent communication skills, fluent in English, with the ability to present financial information clearly to management, owners, and auditors. – Leadership capability to train, mentor, and develop finance team members, fostering accountability and succession planning. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: – Prepare and review daily revenue reports across PMS, POS, and SAGE 300/ACCPAC systems. – Reconcile clearing accounts, AR ledger, guest ledger, refunds, and deposits. – Compile accurate monthly management accounts, forecasts, and variance analyses. – Assist with annual budgets, strategic plans, and capital expenditure studies. – Support audit preparation and liaise with internal and external auditors. – Implement and monitor internal control systems in line with company SOPs and group policies. – Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and financial submission deadlines (e.g., VAT). – Conduct spot checks and audits in key revenue and cost areas (Front Office, F&B, Stores). – Maintain the integrity of reporting systems and ensure adherence to group financial policies. – Supervise daily revenue reconciliations prepared by Night Audit and F&B teams. – Support HODs in monitoring expenses against budget and analysing overspends. – Investigate variances and highlight trends to management. – Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, and service excellence. – Deputize for the Financial Controller during absences, ensuring continuity of leadership. – Promote interdepartmental communication to strengthen financial awareness and collaboration.