Team Leader - Global Finance governance

Role Purpose

Responsible for providing full support and assistance to Governance and Compliance function which includes SOX audit- planning & testing, internal audit, Statutory and Internal audit management, BCP documentation up-dation, review & analyzing global balance sheets as assigned and any other legislation which may be applicable in future. This will include significant interaction with regional/hotel, BSC and IT management. In addition, occasional ad-hoc involvement in the other activities of the Controller Group may be required. Work will include international travel and may include regional travel.

Key Accountabilities

• Prepare testing plans to achieve completion of SOX testing phases, B-Sheet reviews and other audits within deadlines set by the Director/ Manager, Financial Governance.
• Review of the reconciliation of account as assigned and to ensure that reconciliations are performed in compliance with the IHG Global account reconciliation policy and within the agreed timeline.
• Train the person responsible for Research and Clearance to have an adequate understanding of account activity to enable resolution of reconciling items.
• Identify those reconciling items that represent a potential risk or opportunity and escalate for further action.
• Ad hoc reporting related to Balance Sheet Control may be requested.
• Assist Director/ Manager for the audit management function for year end and statutory audit across India BSC. This will include liasioning with the auditors, process teams and working hand in hand with the Manager or Director to achieve the deadlines.
• Perform tests throughout IHG with testing worldwide. This will involve travel as required, particularly to other BSCs and key owned hotels.
• Prepare documentation plans and to perform documentation in the event of major system or process changes globally.
• Assist in the documentation of results and conclusions as required by SOX, including assisting with the maintenance of IHG’s database of controls and tests. No experience of this particular database is required – training will be provided.
• Liaise with internal and external audit to ensure that they are aware of the latest status of the project and to assist with any queries they may raise.
• Continuously identify areas of potential risk, opportunities and effectiveness and propose plans for review of the areas concerned. Prioritize new risks against previously identified risks and revise the audit plans as necessary to provide the most value to the Company.
• Facilitate, support and develop team member including hire, train, fire, assess, performance, and recommend salary and classification changes.
• Develop and maintain an effective understanding of the business strategy and the hospitality industry. Maintain awareness of best practices, trends and issues impacting the industry.
• Develop regional tactical initiatives and create an environment of continuous improvement.
• Continuously develops and documents procedures to improve the quality and efficiency of processes.
• Serves as expert consultant for process flow, provides input on current practices and assesses alternative processes / technologies.
• Assisting with all other aspects of global process management, including advising Director, and Manager Global Financial Governance of process in-consistencies and/or improvement opportunities. Recommending (and assisting in implementing) solutions to address these matters.
• Supporting Director/ Manager for BCP documentation updation from time to time.

Key Skills & Experiences

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of People-Soft 8.0 or other E.R.P. systems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and practices as well as IAS / IFRS.
• Demonstrated ability to lead process change.
• Demonstrated experience in leading, motivating and developing people.
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Extensive working knowledge of audit & control process, procedures in related. environment.

Experience –

• 4 plus years progressive work experience in hotel and or Corporate Accounting, Internal Audit, Sarbanes Oxley, with demonstrated proficiency in multiple disciplines/processes related to the position.
• Experience in the design, mapping and delivery of processes and process improvements.
• Bachelor’s or Master Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field of work or an equivalent combination of education and work related experience.
• Major accounting qualification preferred (ACA, CIMA, CPA, CMA, and CHAE).