Cluster Director of Finance
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Department: Accounting & Finance
Reports to: General Managers and Regional Director of Finance
Position Summary:
The Cluster Director of Finance provides strategic financial leadership across an assigned portfolio of Grand America Hotels & Resorts properties. This position serves as a trusted partner to property General Managers, offering expert guidance on all financial matters – from day-to-day accounting operations to long-term fiscal planning.
In this role, the Cluster Director of Finance is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and meaningful financial reporting that empowers leadership to make informed, confident decisions. The position also ensures the integrity of internal controls, safeguards owner assets, and maintains full compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations.
This individual brings a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset – identifying opportunities for operational improvement and addressing financial challenges with clarity and professionalism. Success in this role requires strong analytical acumen, a collaborative leadership style, and a genuine commitment to the hospitality industry.
This position requires quarterly travel to assigned properties, including overnight stays.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide direct oversight of Central Services Accounting personnel, fostering a high-performance team culture and ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of financial operations across all assigned properties.
- Support and oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including the timely and accurate completion of month-end and year-end close processes and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Direct the preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with GAAP and USALI standards, ensuring accuracy and timeliness across all assigned properties.
- Analyze financial results, investigate variances, and identify trends to deliver actionable insights and recommendations that drive improved financial performance across the portfolio.
- Guide Central Services Accounting personnel in supporting property-level budgeting and forecasting processes, providing meaningful projections and analysis to inform strategic decision-making.
- Serve as the primary point of contact between property-level finance teams, Central Services Accounting personnel, and the Regional Director of Finance, ensuring clear communication and alignment across all levels.
- Provide leadership and support to on-property staff responsible for daily income audits, accounts receivable / group billing, and other administrative accounting functions, ensuring consistency across all assigned properties.
- Develop, implement, and maintain robust internal control frameworks to safeguard assets, preserve financial integrity, and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and company policies.
- Collaborate with internal and external auditors throughout the audit process, facilitating timely responses to inquiries and effective resolution of audit findings.
- Identify opportunities to streamline accounting workflows, implement industry best practices, and partner with cross-functional teams to optimize financial systems and overall operational efficiency.
- Work closely with hotel management, operations, and revenue management teams to align financial objectives with broader operational goals, supporting a unified approach to business performance.
- Support initiatives and special projects as directed by the Regional Director of Finance
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA preferred.
- 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, hospitality industry experience required.
- Proficiency in accounting systems and Microsoft Excel; experience with ERP systems is a plus.
- Solid understanding of GAAP, USALI, and applicable financial reporting requirements.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Collaborative leadership style with a genuine interest in team development and mentorship.
- Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented approach to challenges and opportunities.