Director of Finance

Join Best Western Plaza Hotel in Honolulu, onsite and part of the Highgate Hotels family, for a Director of Finance role that puts profitability, accuracy, and safeguards front and center. This leadership position offers the chance to shape financial strategy, uphold rigorous internal controls, and ensure regulatory compliance while protecting owners’ assets. Work closely with the executive team from our Hawaii property to drive performance and develop talent within a collaborative, results-focused culture.

As the on-site financial leader, you will guide reporting cycles, maintain strong controls, and align financial operations with Highgate Hotels standards. This role provides direct interaction with the Executive Committee and the opportunity to influence financial decisions that impact daily operations and longer-term planning.

Responsibilities

• Effectively manage and communicate cash flow related issues.
• Prepare monthly property financial statements with accuracy and timeliness, including cash flow statements, receivables and payables management, cash balances, control mechanisms, and timely fund deposits.
• Monitor hotel revenues and expenses and ensure precise recording in accordance with Highgate Hotels guidelines.
• Oversee the hotel cash flow and operating forecast, ensuring clarity and accountability.
• Develop annual budgets and perform monthly variance analyses.
• Investigate variances to budget or prior year and offer practical improvement methods to management.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory licenses and permits, leases, contracts, and legal agreements, including proper execution of operational taxes.
• Support management in enforcing compliance across these items.
• Analyze financial data and operations to advise management in meeting financial objectives.
• Adhere to Standard Accounting policies and internal controls for finance and accounting operations.
• Review and approve balance sheet accounts in a timely manner, including monthly bank reconciliations and general ledger reconciliations.
• Establish and continually audit internal financial controls covering purchasing, cash handling, disbursements, inventories, hotel assets, master keys, payroll, and employee records.
• Coordinate and complete internal and external audits, working with CPA firms and providing information promptly as requested.
• Hire, train, supervise, and develop staff, including coaching, counseling, and discipline as needed.
• Maintain compliance with Highgate Hotels standards and regulations to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Prepare financial reports according to Highgate Hotels requirements, meeting weekly, monthly, and annual deadlines.
• Weekly: accounts receivable and accounts payable aging, flash reports, payroll, and revenue updates.
• Monthly: financial statements, forecasting key statistics, and cash flow reporting.
• Annual: budgets, five-year plans, and five-year capital plans.
• Maintain timely communication with the Executive Committee to keep property operations under control.
• Monitor adherence to report deadlines and adjust processes to ensure timely delivery.
• Monitor the accuracy of the hotel daily operating report and address variances as needed.
• Lead special projects and other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of five years in hospitality finance or accounting.
• Experience as a Controller or Director of Finance, preferably at a premium-branded hotel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting required.
• Experience supervising two or more employees.
• Proficiency in Windows, company-approved spreadsheets and word processing, and operation of all hotel-specific systems.