Financial Controller Shipboard

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for following the Company's standards and commitment of the ship’s overall financial reporting including, but not limited to, cash, credit card transactions, and financial aspects of inventory management, wire transfer systems, purser’s journal and payroll process. This position must fully understand the financial controls set forth in the SQM for all positions having control over company assets and audit each area according to SQM procedures to provide assurance that shipboard systems are configured accurately and operational according to internal accounting policies. This position will oversee the Financial Controller, Administration Purser-Payroll and T&A, Administration Purser-Guest Accounts, Apprentice Pursers and Junior Payroll Purser.

Ensures all areas of the Financial Department onboard comply with all internal and external Requirements. Serves as a support contact for implementation, execution and training of new and updated procedures and controls. Travels extensively to the ships in support of the Finance Department to conduct training, scheduled and unscheduled reviews to ensure compliance with SQM policies, procedures and internal audit compliance reviews.

Serves as a liaison between the shipboard purser staff and the company’s accounting shipboard financial team, and the business area, planning and administration financial team, on any issues related to purser operations, as well as, a facilitator of information from the vessels to the operations accounting areas.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

All duties and responsibilities are to be performed in accordance with the Company's Safety, Quality and Environmental standards. In accordance with the Company's Service and Etiquette Philosophy program, each employee shall conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner at all times. This consists of physical and verbal interactions with guests or fellow shipboard employees, in the presence of guests or in crewmember areas.

1. Develops procedures, guidelines and checklists for internal review. Provides guidance in the implementation of new systems and applications, procedures, regulations, financial policies. Analyzes current procedures versus new and makes recommendations to management for implementation. Ensures best practices are implemented across the fleet, to achieve full standardization. Develops the purser’s manual for each of the following purser positions:
• Financial Controller
• Administration Purser – Guest Accounts
• Administration Purser – Payroll & T&A
• Apprentice Pursers
• Junior Payroll Purser

2. Responsible for providing leadership, feedback and guidance to all Financial Controllers and purser staff. Develops cross training plans for the entire financial team, Financial Trainees and Apprentice Pursers in cooperation with the Financial Controller and follows through on the trainee’s advancement and abilities to undertake future appointments.

3. Meets with all team members to discuss career development and to evaluate job performance in accordance with Financial Controller.

4. Assists with structured training programs for all Purser positions, including customer service training and provides guidance and training to shipboard management and staff. This may be conducted individually or in a group setting.

5. Provides training for newly hired Financial Controllers and discusses developmental plans for Financial Controllers with regards to the understanding and facilitation of all Purser related positions as well as the understanding and mastering of all finance related Computer systems, such as Crunch time, TTG, Adonis, Kronos, Info Genisis Report System.

6. Provides feedback to the Hotel Director and Manager - Financial Purser Operations - Systems & Projects, Accounting Financial Operations to complete the Financial Controller’s performance evaluation.

7. Assists Financial Controllers with all budget related subjects, such as budget performance recording of Replaceables & Consumables, GL Detail comparison from Intranet files, Overtime and all other vessel related costs. Discussing cost control within the group of Department Heads and Hotel Director. Ensures Financial Controller is familiar with the use of Crunchtime system in order to control Replaceables & Consumable orders.

8. Ensures to communicate all newly implemented policies, procedures or directives to all Financial Controllers, in order to keep up the flow of information.

9. Periodic reviews of policies and procedures to identify areas of opportunity for improvement and fleet-wide standardization for all areas of the Finance Department. Reviews and revises SQM policies as needed, in order to update current business practices.

10. Liaise with HR to provide guidance to Hiring Partners and Employment Specialists on external recruitment practices.

11. Keeps abreast of current industry standards relating to customer service and problem resolution and identifies improvement and development opportunities.

12. Assists in the recruitment process for Second Pursers and Financial Controller positions. Identifies potential candidates and assists with Personal Development Plans as well as rotation schedules.

13. Works with various shoreside support teams (i.e. Planning and Administration, Hotel Operations, Human Resources and Operations Accounting) and related functional areas to streamline policies and procedures, and to communicate new initiatives to the fleet.

14. Maintains database of outstanding issues until full compliance is reached. Follows-up with shoreside management to expedite corrective action.

15. Aids in organizational planning by participating in departmental conferences and appropriate training courses.

16. Prepares a variety of reports, schedules and letters utilizing company provided computer systems and equipment.

17. Attends meetings, training activities, courses and all other work related activities as required.

18. Assists Hotel Director / Associate Hotel Director with guidelines on financial audits and procedure, i.e. how to complete HD audit checklist, how to read Financial Controller safe balance count sheet.

19. Develops audit check list to ensure compliance with all SQM standards in all operational, financial, ethical and leadership aspects; and forwards this check list to shore side supervisor after each visit. Keeps copy of all check lists in order to monitor development and repeated violations by ship and by Financial Controller.

20. Ensures all SQM cash handling procedures are followed, such as main safe, all floats and the spot checks thereof, completion of Cash-pro-forma template, proper reporting of cash discrepancies, collection of funds from various revenue centers, settling with Revenue Partners, Casino settlement. Accepting cash orders in accordance with SQM, Hotel Director or delegate present

21. Observes financial operations at Guest Relations Desk, camera surveillance, ensures Guest Relations Officers have necessary knowledge of financial procedures and cash handling practices, secure storing of cash floats.

22. Monitors completion of Purser’s Journal by Financial Controllers with training in person, checking PJ’s before submission, assisting with occurring PJ issues or imbalances.

23. Assisting Financial Controller’s with all upcoming issues and daily occurrences as needed, in person or by email.

24. Audit of required file keeping, such as Safe Combination Change Log, Float Checks, SRX Audits, Inventory Spot checks, LOE Log, MTN Phone cards, Disciplinary Actions and Appraisals, Payroll Audits in Financial Controller Office. Hotel Director’s Audit Checklist and Copy of Safe Balance and Cash Reconciliation sheet in Hotel Director's office.

25. Random spot checks of semi monthly payroll, gratuity balancing, amenity vouchers, employee contracts, cash floats (including Financial Controller main safe), Air Ticket Deposit Tracking Sheet,

26. Oversees Guest Account Purser Operations with all relevant functions, including, but not limited to, gratuity balancing, revenue reporting, master account auditing and maintenance, guest and crew balances, and credit card authorization process. Random auditing of officer’s master account bar allowances. Provides feed back, support and additional training if necessary.

27. Oversees Payroll Purser Operations with all relevant functions, including, but not limited to semi monthly payroll processing, money orders, wire transfers, proper keeping of time keeping documents, employee contracts, and payroll backup, Air Ticket Deposit collection and weekly/monthly audits of time and attendance. Provides feed back, support and additional training if necessary.

28. Reports the status of camera surveillance system in regards to the proper functioning and recording of installed cameras in all areas, where cash is handled.

29. Is willing to fill Financial Controller position if required due to emergencies or staff shortages.

30. Reviews with Financial Controllers previous audit findings and communicates action plan from shore side to ensure these findings are not repeated in future audits.

31. Performs related duties as required. This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the shipboard employee occupying this position. Shipboard employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor or management.

32. Understands the Safety & Quality Management Program and his/her responsibilities in the Safety Organization according to the Emergency Plan and Station Bill. Must be available, capable and ready to act in the event of an emergency.

33. Is aware of and/or acquires the necessary knowledge to comply with the ship’s standard operation in order to assist guests and crew members with inquiries.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial responsibilities for budget, expenses and/or achievement of revenue targets.
 This position is responsible for supporting the financial accounting aspects of all shipboard activities.
 Responsible for the accuracy and SQM compliance in all cash related areas.
 Responsible for the Financial Controller’s understanding of all financial monthly reporting and yearly budget preparation.
 Responsible for the review and understanding of the Balanced Scorecard with Senior Shipboard Management.
MOTIVATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

People management responsibilities to ensure optimal performance of the function.

 Monitors and supervises the job performance of the Financial Controller and the Pursers. Monitors the assignment of their duties and responsibilities. Observes and evaluates Financial Controllers and the Pursers and their work procedures to ensure quality standards and service are met. Makes recommendations regarding personnel actions such as new hire requests and discharges, to ensure adequate and continuous staffing. Inspects workstations, work areas, equipment, etc. to ensure efficient service and conformance to the Company's standards of service and style.

 Mentors, develops and provides on-the-job training to the Financial Controllers and the Pursers to strengthen their current performance and preparation for future advancement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum hiring, language and physical requirements to perform the job.

Hiring Requirements:

 Minimum of two years’ experience in an upscale hotel, resort or cruise ship.
 Three to five year’s progressive managerial experience in Purser operations
 Superior customer service, team building and conflict resolution skills.
 Very strong management skills in a multicultural and dynamic environment.
 Very strong communication, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal skills.
 Intermediate computer software skills required.
 Strong understanding of basic accounting principles such as numbering flow “Debits/Credits”, adjusting and correcting entries.
 Completion of high school or basic education equivalency required.
 Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, business administration or related field from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent preferred.
 Ability to travel extensively throughout the fleet.
 Demonstrates aptitude for the financial aspects of the operation
 Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal service including needs assessment, problem resolution and achievement of quality service standards.
 Ability to effectively communicate noncompliance issues with employees and management at all levels throughout the shipboard and shoreside organizations.
 Ability to conduct training sessions at all levels including one-on-one to large groups.
 Ability to apply customer service skills, according to Celebrity Cruises’ standards, when interacting with guests and coworkers.
 Knowledge of policies and practices involved in the human resources function.
 Ability to manage an international staff in a positive and productive manner by motivating, developing and managing employees as they work.  Ability to utilize and administer the disciplinary action process through coaching and counseling to improve performance or terminate employment.
 Working knowledge of computers, with the ability to navigate within a variety software packages such as Excel, Word, Power Point, Access, and Project. In addition to, a thorough understanding of shipboard systems: Point of Sale, Property Management system, Time and Attendance system, Payroll system, Crew Debit card system, JDE One World Financial system, JDE Human Resources systems.

Language Requirements:
 Ability to speak English clearly, distinctly and cordially with guests.
 Ability to read and write English in order to understand and interpret written procedures. This includes the ability to give and receive instructions in written and verbal forms and to effectively present information and respond to questions from guests, supervisors and co-workers.
 Ability to speak additional languages such as Spanish, French or German preferred.

Physical Requirements:
 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
 All shipboard employees must be physically able to participate in emergency life saving procedures and drills. Full use and range of arms and legs as well as full visual, verbal and hearing abilities are required to receive and give instructions in the event of an emergency including the lowering of lifeboats. Ability to lift and/or move up to 50