Controller

GLMG Hotels; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

Leadership Development Programs

Employee Recognition Programs

Supportive Team-Oriented Culture

USA TODAY Top Workplace Award Winner

Job summary

Great Lakes Management Group (GLMG Hotels) is seeking an experienced Controller to lead the accounting and financial reporting for a diverse portfolio of hotels. This hands-on leader will ensure accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual statements while strengthening internal controls.

You will partner with General Managers, regional leadership, and ownership groups to monitor performance, manage month-end close, and drive process improvements across multi-property operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive accounting or financial management experience.
• Previous accounting or financial leadership experience within the hotel or hospitality industry is required.
• Experience preparing and reviewing financial statements and managing month-end closing.
• Experience supervising and developing an accounting team.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, financial controls, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and hotel accounting systems.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a multi-property environment.
• Strong communication skills to translate financial information for operational leaders.
• Experience with hotel brands and USALI is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee preparation and distribution of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for multiple hotel properties.
• Lead month-end and year-end close, reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and reporting.
• Review property-level statements for accuracy and consistency with GAAP.
• Analyze results, identify variances, and provide insights to leadership and hotel management.
• Ensure proper accounting treatment of revenues, expenses, payroll, assets and balance sheet accounts.
• Maintain general ledgers and compliance with GAAP.
• Partner with GMs and regional leadership to review performance and variances.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning across the portfolio.
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and documentation of controls.
• Assist with ownership and investor reporting requirements and tax reporting compliance.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability; mentor accounting team; establish procedures.
• Foster collaboration between accounting, operations, and corporate leadership.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Excel proficiency

Financial analysis

Leadership

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Tools

M3 Accounting Software

Hotel accounting systems

Job description

Salary Range: $100,000.00 To $120,000.00 Annually

Great Lakes Management Group (GLMG Hotels)

USA TODAY Top Workplaces Award Winner – 2024, 2025 & 2026 Join an award-winning hospitality company and help create exceptional guest experiences by maintaining safe, functional, and well-maintained hotel facilities.

• Competitive Pay
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Leadership Development Programs
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Supportive Team-Oriented Culture
• Work for a USA TODAY Top Workplace Award Winner (2024, 2025 & 2026)

Great Lakes Management Group (GLMG) is a growing hospitality management company overseeing a diverse portfolio of hotels across multiple markets and leading hospitality brands, including IHG, Hilton, and Wyndham. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional hospitality experiences while maintaining strong financial performance, operational excellence, and trusted relationships with our hotel owners and investors.

As our portfolio continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented, and collaborative Controller to lead our accounting functions, strengthen financial reporting processes, and support the continued success of our organization.

Position Overview

The Controller will play a key leadership role within Great Lakes Management Group, overseeing the accounting and financial reporting functions for our portfolio of hotels.

This individual will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, managing month-end and year-end closing processes, maintaining strong internal controls, and leading our accounting team.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in hotel accounting and financial management, understands the complexities of multi-property hospitality operations, and is comfortable working closely with corporate leadership, property General Managers, and hotel ownership groups.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who can balance high-level financial oversight with the willingness to roll up their sleeves, solve problems, and continuously improve accounting processes.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Accounting Operations

Oversee the preparation and distribution of accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for multiple hotel properties.

Lead month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring timely completion of reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and financial reporting.

Review property-level financial statements for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with established accounting standards.

Analyze financial results, identify variances, and provide meaningful insights to corporate leadership and hotel management teams.

Ensure proper accounting treatment of hotel revenues, operating expenses, payroll, fixed assets, and balance sheet accounts.

Maintain accurate general ledgers and ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Partner with hotel General Managers and regional leadership to review financial performance, operating expenses, and budget variances.

Support annual budgeting, financial forecasting, and ongoing financial planning across the portfolio.

Oversee property-level balance sheet reconciliations and ensure appropriate documentation and financial controls.

Assist with hotel ownership and investor financial reporting requirements.

Support compliance with applicable sales, lodging, and other hospitality-related tax reporting requirements.

Identify opportunities to improve financial efficiency, reporting accuracy, and operational profitability.

Lead, mentor, and develop the corporate accounting team, promoting accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.

Establish clear expectations, deadlines, and standardized accounting procedures across the organization.

Review work prepared by accounting team members and provide guidance on complex accounting matters.

Coordinate accounting priorities and ensure appropriate allocation of responsibilities across the team.

Foster strong working relationships between the accounting department, hotel operations, and corporate leadership.

Process Improvement & Internal Controls

Evaluate and enhance existing accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.

Identify opportunities to streamline month-end processes, improve reporting timelines, and reduce manual accounting tasks.

Support the implementation and optimization of accounting systems, financial reporting tools, and related technology.

Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, tax professionals, and other financial partners as needed.

Ensure financial records are organized, accurate, and maintained in accordance with company policies and applicable requirements.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience.

Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive accounting or financial management experience.

Previous accounting or financial leadership experience within the hotel or hospitality industry is required.

Demonstrated experience preparing and reviewing financial statements, managing month-end closing processes, and overseeing general ledger accounting.

Experience supervising, developing, and leading an accounting team.

Strong understanding of GAAP, financial controls, reconciliations, and financial reporting.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and demonstrated experience working with hotel accounting and financial reporting systems.

Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-property environment.

Strong communication skills and the ability to translate financial information into actionable insights for operational leaders.

Preferred

Experience with M3 Accounting Software is strongly preferred.

Familiarity with M3's financial reporting, general ledger, accounts payable, and month-end closing functions is a plus.

Experience overseeing accounting functions for multiple hotels or properties.

Familiarity with the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI).

Experience working with major hotel brands such as IHG, Hilton, Marriott, or Wyndham.

Experience with hotel financial reporting systems, property management systems, and accounting software.

Background in hotel management companies or ownership groups.

A CPA designation is not required. We place greater value on practical hospitality accounting experience, demonstrated leadership ability, and a strong understanding of hotel financial operations.

Join Our Team

At Great Lakes Management Group, we believe strong financial leadership is essential to delivering exceptional results for our hotel owners, employees, and guests.

Great Lakes Management Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.