Cluster Director of Finance Finance • JA The Resort, Dubai

Jebel Ali International Hotels L.L.C; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality group in Dubai seeks an experienced Cluster Director of Finance to manage the Accounting & Finance department. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge in financial operations within the hotel sector, demonstrating strong leadership, budgeting, and compliance skills. This role focuses on maintaining accuracy in financial reporting and supporting strategic business planning. Ideal for a finance professional looking to advance in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a managerial hotel accounting role required.
• Background in accounting and finance; CPA or equivalent is a plus.
• Advanced English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Accounting & Finance function at JA The Resort.
• Prepare, scrutinize and approve monthly journal entries and financial reports.
• Ensure compliance with local and corporate finance policies.

Skills

Leadership

Accounting

Budgeting

Compliance

Financial Reporting

Education

University degree in Finance or Accounting

Tools

MS Office

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Cluster Director of Finance to lead the Accounting & Finance function at JA The Resort. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, preparing timely financial reports, ensuring compliance with local and corporate policies, and supporting overall business planning. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in hospitality finance, internal controls, budgeting, and team leadership.

Key Responsibilities :

• To be demanding and critical when it comes to departmental standards.
• To maintain complete and supported accounting records of the hotel as per JA The Resort Policies & Procedures.
• To implement local accounting procedures to ensure compliance with the local government regulations, after approval from the Corporate Office.
• To prepare, supervise, scrutinize and to approve monthly journal entries, balance sheet and income statement.
• To prepare and interpret the financial statements and reports of the hotel.
• To submit monthly reporting package on a timely basis.
• To audit the accounts, records and transactions of the hotel, aided by the ongoing efforts to streamline internal control procedures.
• To review the monthly bank reconciliation statements.
• To scrutinize the monthly financial reports, to investigate unusual variations and to prepare comments to be attached to the report.
• To verify the prepaid expenses, deferred charges are up-to-date and in agreement with the books.
• To understand JA The Resort and the Hotel’s tax obligations, using the assistance of locally appointed auditors or tax experts.
• To assist the General Manager and Heads of Department in the compilation forecasts covering all activities of the hotel.
• To assist the General Manager in the compilation of Business Plan.
• To assist General Manager in the preparation of Capital Expenditure Authorization Request.
• To ensure that each section of the Accounting & Finance Department is managed efficiently, maximizing utilization of Technology.
• To ensure that the physical inventories of all supplies and operating equipment are being taken on a monthly and a quarterly basis respectively.
• To implement all necessary control in order to safeguard the assets of the hotel and to maintain records for the fixed assets, operating equipment, supplies and inventories.
• To review the reports compiled by Cost Controller and to liaise with the Purchasing Manager to ensure proper procedures and control of inventories.
• To know all terms and conditions of the management agreement and ensure that they are adhered to.
• To keep and to safeguard all contracts, leases, insurance policies and all legal and financial documents.
• To liaise with JA Resorts & Hotels and hotel appointed legal consultants for all legal matters.
• To liaise with both internal and external auditors in compliance with the hotel requirements.
• To assist General Manager in the compilation of all the departments’ written Policies & Procedures into the hotel’s own in-house policy manuals.
• To sign bank cheques jointly with General Manager of those banks designated by the Corporate Office and the Owning Company.
• To sign all contracts jointly with General Manager ensuring all terms are in compliance with the local laws, management agreement, JA The Resort policies and sound commercial judgment.
• To approve all disbursement vouchers, expenses claim after ascertaining that all necessary documents are attached, processed and certified for receipt of merchandises or services both in quality, quantity and prices. To verify the distribution of charges and to ascertain the availability of funds for such disbursements.
• To approve all purchases in view of availability of funds, necessity and the budget.
• To receive daily, the receipts of bank deposits and to verify against General Cashier’s Summary of Receipts.
• To satisfy that Accounts Receivable activities and to ensure that the monthly trial balance of accounts are correctly aged and the totals are in agreement with the controlling balance.
• To review the city ledger accounts with AP Supervisor and Credit Manager.
• To ensure all travel agents’ commissions are paid promptly.
• To examine and to approve all payroll hiring, status changes and terminations. To ensure that all overtime reports are submitted to General Manager for approval.
• To ascertain that all taxes, contributions, licenses, interest and management fee are paid when due.
• To send out debtors’ confirmation letter directly at random.
• To arrange monthly section meetings for operation review.
• To ensure that each Accounting & Finance Supervisor plans and implements effective training programs for their associates with the Training Manager and Departmental Trainers.
• To develop departmental trainers, assign training responsibilities and meet with Departmental Trainers monthly.
• To conduct yearly performance appraisal and give associates regular feedback on their job performance
• To project at all times a positive and motivated attitude and exercise self-control.
• To carry out quarterly, bi-yearly, yearly inventory of operating equipment.
• To assist in the training of associates ensuring that they have the necessary skills to perform their duties with the maximum efficiency and in the most productive manner.
• To supervise the associates within the department, ensuring that the correct standards and methods of service are maintained as stated in the Hotel and Department Operations Manual.
• To ensure that the Department's operational budget is strictly adhered to and that all costs are controlled and expenditures approved.
• To comply with local legislation and be conversant and act in accordance with any such matters relating to your department.
• To be flexible and 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.
• To attend trainings and meetings as and when required.
• To conduct and / or contribute to regular Departmental Communication Meetings.
• To provide updated information to the Management and other departments.
• To assess situations and to be able to react accordingly through analysis and perspective.

Qualifications and Experience :

Education : University degree in Finance or Accounting.

Professional Qualifications : Background in accounting and finance; CPA or equivalent is a plus.

Experience : Previous experience in a managerial hotel accounting role is required.

Computer Skills : Proficiency in MS Office and familiarity with financial and hotel operating systems.

Language Skills : Advanced English communication skills, both written and verbal.

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