Director of Accounting

Location: Orlando, FL
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

Our client is seeking an experienced Director of Accounting to provide strategic leadership and hands-on oversight of the accounting function across a growing portfolio of owned and managed hospitality assets. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, this individual will lead a team of Accounting Managers, Controllers, and accounting professionals while ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and compliance across a multi-entity organization. This role serves as a key business partner to executive leadership and operations, driving scalable accounting processes, financial insights, and operational excellence to support continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting team across corporate and property-level operations, including Accounting Managers and Controllers
• Design scalable organizational structures, staffing plans, and succession strategies to support business growth
• Establish performance expectations, accountability, and professional development plans
• Continuously evaluate team structure, workloads, and responsibilities to improve efficiency and optimize resources
• Assess current and future staffing needs to support acquisitions, new locations, and organizational growth
• Build a strong talent pipeline through recruiting, internal development, and cross-training
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration
• Champion ongoing training in accounting standards, hospitality accounting, and financial systems
• Partner with executive leadership and Human Resources on organizational planning, compensation strategy, and long-term succession planning

Financial Reporting & Close

• Oversee the preparation of timely and accurate consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP
• Direct the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close process across multiple entities
• Coordinate annual audits and ensure compliance with federal, state, local, lender, and ownership reporting requirements

General Accounting Oversight

• Oversee the General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Fixed Assets, and Cash Management functions
• Ensure accurate intercompany accounting, reconciliations, and consolidations
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls

Multi-Entity & Property Accounting

• Oversee accounting and financial reporting across multiple business entities and managed operations
• Ensure accurate calculation and reporting of management fees, shared services, and intercompany transactions
• Serve as the primary accounting contact for ownership groups, investors, joint venture partners, and external stakeholders
• Support financial reviews, audits, and reporting requests

Hospitality & Operational Finance

• Ensure accurate accounting for hospitality-related revenue streams, including lodging, food & beverage, events, and ancillary operations
• Monitor key financial performance metrics, including profitability, operating margins, labor costs, and departmental performance
• Partner with operational leadership to improve financial performance and reporting

Systems & Process Improvement

• Oversee accounting systems, ERP platforms, property management systems, payroll, and financial reporting tools
• Ensure data integrity, standardized reporting, and a consistent chart of accounts across all entities
• Lead automation initiatives and process improvements that improve efficiency and strengthen financial controls

Strategic Finance

• Provide financial analysis and recommendations that support executive decision-making
• Partner with leadership on annual budgets, forecasts, long-range planning, and financial modeling
• Support strategic initiatives including acquisitions, new property openings, business transitions, and operational expansion

Treasury, Risk & Compliance

• Oversee cash flow forecasting, working capital management, banking relationships, and merchant services
• Identify financial and operational risks and implement effective mitigation strategies
• Maintain strong governance practices, segregation of duties, and internal control compliance
• Ensure timely resolution of audit findings and regulatory requirements

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
• CPA strongly preferred

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience
• 5+ years of senior accounting leadership experience
• Proven success leading accounting teams within multi-entity or multi-location organizations
• Hospitality, hotel, resort, restaurant, or property management experience strongly preferred

Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Expert knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls
• Strong ERP experience (NetSuite or similar enterprise accounting systems preferred)
• Familiarity with hospitality accounting principles, including USALI, is a plus
• Experience with property management, point-of-sale, and payroll systems preferred
• Strong expertise in consolidated financial reporting, intercompany accounting, and the month-end close process

Leadership & Strategy

• Demonstrated success building, mentoring, and leading high-performing accounting teams
• Strategic thinker with strong financial and operational business acumen
• Proven ability to lead organizational change, improve processes, and drive operational efficiencies
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills

Communication & Collaboration

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to present financial information to executives and non-financial stakeholders
• Strong partnership skills with operations, executive leadership, ownership groups, and external business partners
• High standards for accuracy, integrity, accountability, and financial governance