Controller (Hospitality Industry)

Howard

20h

About The Position

Howard Financial is seeking an experienced Hospitality Controller to support our growing portfolio of hospitality clients and operating businesses, including hotels, resorts, and food & beverage operations. This leadership role provides full-service financial oversight and acts as a trusted finance partner to hospitality operators, property leaders, and finance executives. The Hospitality Controller ensures accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and efficient accounting processes while supporting operational decision-making. The role combines technical accounting expertise, operational finance knowledge, and team leadership to deliver high-quality financial support for hospitality businesses. The Hospitality Controller is expected to act as the technical “first catch” for accounting issues, ensuring accuracy before financial information reaches leadership or clients.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business
5+ years of accounting experience, preferably in hospitality or operating businesses
Strong knowledge of technical accounting principles and financial reporting
Experience managing month-end close processes and financial statements
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting hospitality businesses such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, or hospitality groups
Prior experience supervising or mentoring accounting team members
CPA or similar professional certification is a plus

Responsibilities

Oversee accounting operations for hospitality clients and properties
Supervise bookkeeping, month-end close, and financial statement preparation
Review accrual entries, reconciliations, and general ledger activity
Ensure proper revenue recognition across hospitality revenue streams (rooms, food & beverage, events, and other services)
Maintain strong internal controls and compliance with accounting standards
Improve accounting workflows and financial processes to increase efficiency and accuracy
Support implementation and management of financial systems and integrations
Utilize modern finance tools
Document accounting procedures and develop scalable financial processes
Serve as a trusted finance partner to hospitality operators and leadership teams
Work closely with CFOs, Finance Directors, and property leadership
Develop a deep understanding of each client’s hospitality business model and operations
Maintain clear communication and documentation to ensure transparency and alignment
Prepare accurate monthly financial reporting packages
Support budgeting and forecasting processes in partnership with the FP&A team
Deliver variance analysis and insights related to hospitality performance metrics
Provide financial insights that support operational improvements and profitability
Mentor and coach junior accounting team members
Review work to ensure technical accuracy and high-quality deliverables
Delegate day-to-day accounting work to junior team members while maintaining oversight
Support the development of a high-performing finance team