Finance Officer for Silversea Cruises

V.Ships Leisure is looking for Finance Officer on behalf of Silversea Cruises.
To contribute to the Company’s mission, values and strategic priorities by implementing the principles of control, audit, accounting and finance processes. Responsible for all financial matters of the vessel and for guests and crew in accordance with Company Policies, any  National or International standards and any other prescribed regulations. Overseeing and ensuring a prompt and efficient clearance of the vessel in each port of call. 

Key Responsibilities

• Controls the shipboard financial operation (to include but not limited to):
• Management of Company’s funds.
• Guest, groups, crew, system accounts and settlements.
• Charter, application of contractual financial terms. 
• Concessionaires application of contractual financial terms.
• Supervise crew payroll and payment.
• Prompt and fine free clearance of the ship.
• Exchange office.
• Onboard inventory control.
• Control of budgets related to revenues, cost and consumption.
• Control of the vessel’s disbursement account.
• Control of centers of revenue.
• Efficiency of accounting related tools. 
• Ensures  that  all  guest  and  crew  financial/accounting  requests,  inquiries  and  complaints  are responded to promptly, demonstrating availability and supporting teams with financial enquiries.
• Monitors  shipboard  financial  activities  and  takes  corrective  action  as  needed  to  ensure guest satisfaction.
• Demonstrates genuine concern for guests and crew well-being at all times.
• Ensures that all crew supply requested documentation in order to deliver  an efficient financial service.
• Ensures implementation of and full adherence to Company financial procedures (to include but not limited to the following):
• Management of onboard funds (detailed motivated request, safekeeping, unloading).
• Management and settlement of guests / crew accounts.
• Management of Credit card settlements (control, request of authorization, settlement transmission).
• Processing and maintenance of the remote deposits.
• Applying the contracted financial terms of Charter/Groups.
• Controlling all cash-floats.
• Monitoring cash advances and reimbursement to guests and crew.
• Monitoring local purchases and ensuring proper accounting procedures are followed in terms of payment methods.
• Management of all Exchange Office activities.
• Reviewing and approving ship’s cash expenditures as per Company policy.
• Reviewing F&B cost results, and analyzing variances of actual vs. budget for revenues and expenditures.
• Responsible for financial reporting of operating expenses and costs analysis on a voyage and monthly basis. 
• With  the  assistance  of  the  Senior  Accountant,  conduct  Casino  Count  as  required ensuring compliance with Silversea’s policy and procedure.
• Ensures that there are zero errors in  all accounting  and financial procedures by  preparing all accounting books and relative internal/external supporting documentation.  Applying any terms and settling Concessionaires, Charters, Groups at the end of cruise. 
• Performs cruise end closing for guests, crew, concessionaires, charters with proper submission of cruise end financial reports. 
• Maintains  accurate currency exchange office recording and  revaluation of onboard funds upon change of rates. 
• Ensures accuracy in all postings on guest and crew accounts, monitoring daily sales reports to balance with actual charges. 
• Maintains  full  compliance  and  accuracy  of   all  revenue  and  expenditure  entries  including management of any audits/controls requested by the Finance department or Operations department.
• Controls agent Disbursement Accounts on assigned vessel for all requested services in a timely manner, seeking and suggesting ways of making effective cost savings, once finalized signs jointly with the Captain. 
• Controls all onboard revenue outlets and hotel department operations, ensuring they are conducted economically and in alignment with defined targets. 
• Adheres to Material management procedure manual. 
• Adheres to Standard Operating Procedures and Standard Accounting practices set forth by the Company. 
• Ensures that Hotel and Technical Operations follow Company guidelines relating to cost control and financial integrity of all expenditures, revenue and procedures.  Approving all local purchase prior to being made and ensures all requisitions and invoices related to purchases of items for use onboard are put into the stock control system. 
• Accountable for all financial training for the Senior Accountant, Night Auditor and Receptionists. Ensures a complete understanding of their respective financial obligations and correct procedures at all times.
• Delivers training and monitors all departments with responsibilities of Fidelio postings and refunds ensuring full compliance, accuracy and understanding of policies. 
• Performs audits of all cash floats as per Company guidelines. 
• Oversees and supervises guest questionnaire and ratings procedures and distribution of results. 
• Ensures implementation and full adherence to Company inventory procedures.  Maintaining the integrity of all onboard inventories, reviewing physical count sheets and ensuring that all system entries are accurate.  Conducts spot checks on quantities and on par levels.  Reconciling revenue related consumption to management.
• Coordinates with the IT Officer to maintain all necessary systems and applications such as; Fidelio Cruises, Payroll system, Remote deposit, POS, Property Management System  and  Inventory Management System. 
• Ensures a prompt and efficient clearance for the vessel. Is responsible in conjunction with the Senior Accountant for all vessel communication to the port agents related to the ships arrival and departure. 
• Communicates all relevant information to appropriate persons prior to the vessels arrival to ensure that all legal requirements are met. 
• Assists Silversea Port Operations with the evaluation of port agent services and performance. 
• Assists with medical debarks of guests and crew in cooperation with the medical team, Senior Accountant, Human Resources Manager and Guest Relations Manager. 
• Participates in the turnaround meeting and coordinates the terminal check in procedures with the Guest Relations Manager. Ordering porters and stevedores as required. 
• Monitors the communication of the Human Resources Manager regarding embarking and disembarking crew, transfers, arrivals, flight details, transfer times and missing luggage. 
• In collaboration with the Senior Accountant, prepares and reviews all required documentation for guests and crew, ensuring that all clearance requirements are met in a timely manner prior to arrival at each port of call.
• Greets and escorts officials on arrival into port and providing assistance as required to ensure a prompt  clearance  and  success  of  all  immigration  and  border  control  inspections.  Informing  all relevant parties once clearance is granted. 
• Provides information and consultancy during inspections. 
• Oversees that all daily sailing reports and appropriate manifests for guests and crew are sent by the Senior Accountant prior to the departure of the vessel. 
• Conducts Fidelio check out of guests at the end of the voyage. 
• Ensures that all guest passports and visas are maintained and accounted for at all times.
• Attends Senior Management Meetings as instructed. 
• Keeps the Master promptly and fully informed of all problems and matters of significance. 
• Responsible for subordinates working/rest hours and overtime. Maintaining 100% compliance with Company requirements as well as ILO/MLC. 
• Ensures that standards are maintained within the department and the finance team members are working according to their respective job descriptions. Effectively evaluating performance, giving feedback, coaching and development when required. Implementing  corrective actions when standards are not upheld.  
• Practices good people management, maintaining proper conduct with all departments around the ship. 
• Observes and enforces uniform standards according to Company policies. 
• All other duties as assigned. 

Education/Experience/Qualifications:

• Valid STCW certification.
• Finance/Accounting oriented studies or proven solid experience in the same position possibly in the cruising or Hotel industry.
• Previous  experience  in  management  of  payroll,  budget  controls,  inventories,  revenues/costs recording and analysis, vessel clearance and immigration procedures.
• Physically and medically fit.
• Moral integrity is required.
• Excellent fluent English (verbal and written). English is the working and safety language on board Silversea vessels. This also includes the ability to give and receive instructions in verbal and written forms and to effectively and efficiently engage with guests and crew members. Plus one additional language (German, French, Italian, Spanish).  
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office package, Fidelio PMS, MMS, other accounting and inventory software.

About Silversea

Silversea is the defining name in luxurious cruise travel, distinguished in the ultra-luxury market by its elegant, all-suite ships, all-inclusive pricing, worldwide itineraries and genuine hospitality. Silversea is proud of their reputation as the "World's Best" cruise line and seeks individuals who take personal pride in their work to join their award-winning staff. Silversea understands that their employees are their greatest asset and are committed to investing their resources in recruiting the very best. If you would like to work for one of the most respected organisations in the travel industry, "World's best cruise line" Silversea invites you to explore their current career opportunities.