About the Role

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.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Accounting

• 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

Financial Systems & Process Improvement

• 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

Client Partnership & Operational Understanding

• 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

Reporting & Financial Insights

• 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

Leadership & Team Development

• 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

The Hospitality Controller is expected to act as the technical “first catch” for accounting issues, ensuring accuracy before financial information reaches leadership or clients.

Qualifications

• 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

Preferred

• 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

What Success Looks Like

• Hospitality clients receive accurate and timely financial reporting
• Accounting processes are efficient and well-documented
• Communication with clients and internal teams is proactive and professional
• Junior team members manage routine accounting tasks successfully
• The Controller helps onboard new hospitality clients and strengthen financial operations

Growth Opportunities

This role offers the opportunity to grow with a rapidly expanding finance team. Successful Controllers will play a key role in improving financial processes, supporting client growth, and helping build the hospitality finance services platform at Howard Financial.