Cost Controller

Job Summary

The Hospitality Cost Controller will track and manage property-wide operational expenditures, audit inventory cycles, prepare monthly financial variance reports, enforce strict purchasing protocols, and identify strategic cost-saving avenues across all departments.

Qualification

• Formal Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Economics, or a closely related financial discipline is strictly required. Professional accounting credentials (e.g., CPA, ACCA foundation) are highly advantageous.
• Technical Software Matrix: Advanced proficiency in modern accounting software suites (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage, or specialized hotel property management systems) paired with expert-level mastery of MS Excel (complex formulas, pivot tables, and financial modeling).
• Domain Knowledge Base: Comprehensive understanding of specialized hospitality finance standards, including the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI), yield management principles, and food and beverage cost-analysis equations.
• Analytical Capability: Exceptional mathematical accuracy, sharp problem-solving skills, and a strong visual talent for designing scannable, clear financial dashboards.

Experience

Candidates must demonstrate a definitive history of financial stewardship and budget management:

Financial Management & Cost Containment

• Professional Longevity: A minimum of three (3) years of progressive, verifiable experience in cost control, financial management, or corporate operational auditing.
• Hospitality Exposure: Direct experience working within a hotel, premium resort, or high-volume food and beverage environment, handling stock variances, recipe costing, and portion-control auditing.
• Budgetary Variance Analysis: Proven history monitoring multi-departmental budgets, identifying expense irregularities, and executing corrective actions to eliminate financial waste.

Financial Reporting & Stakeholder Advisory

• Report Preparation: Documented success compiling, structuring, and presenting monthly financial summary reports, cost forecasts, and operational efficiency reviews for executive directors.
• Vendor & Supply Chain Auditing: Experience reviewing purchase orders, evaluating vendor pricing structures, and ensuring procurement practices align strictly with corporate cash flow limits.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Proven ability to collaborate with executive chefs, front-of-house managers, and procurement officers to align physical inventory counts with digital ledger data.

Key Responsibilities

Budget Monitoring & Expense Governance

• Enforce Cost Efficiency: Oversee, monitor, and regulate daily operational expenses across all hotel departments, ensuring cost efficiency without compromising luxury service standards.
• Audit Inventory & Stock: Conduct routine physical inventory audits across food, beverage, operating supplies, and equipment (OS&E), investigating and reconciling discrepancies between physical stock and system records.
• Manage Purchase Workflows: Review, verify, and approve vendor purchase orders, ensuring all procurement activities adhere to strict budgetary guidelines and internal controls.

Financial Reporting & Strategic Analysis

• Compile Financial Reports: Prepare, analyze, and present accurate, timely monthly cost reports and financial summaries to help senior executives make informed business decisions.
• Analyze Budget Variances: Track actual operational expenditures against forecasted budgets, identifying negative trends and proposing swift, actionable solutions to correct imbalances.
• Optimize Menu & Yield Costing: Partner with the food and beverage team to accurately calculate recipe costs, establish profitable menu pricing, and manage food waste reduction programs.
• Streamline Financial Systems: Identify opportunities to improve accounting software integrations, data collection speeds, and overall financial transparency across the property.

Skills Required:

• Accounting / Finance
• Economics / Statistics
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management