Financial Director (Canandaigua)
Position Overview The Lake House on Canandaigua is seeking an experienced, operationally minded Director of Finance to oversee the financial management, accounting integrity, procurement, and performance analysis of our 124-key luxury boutique hotel. This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role responsible for the property's overall financial health, reporting integrity, and internal controls. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Director of Finance partners with the General Manager and ownership on financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management, while remaining directly involved in day-to-day accounting given the size of the finance team. This is a high-touch role suited to a leader who enjoys working directly with operational department heads in a luxury environment. The Director leads a lean team of three direct reports — one Staff Accountant and two Purchasing/Receiving Specialists — and works closely with department heads on their budgets and financial needs. Key Responsibilities Financial Leadership & Strategy Serve as a strategic financial partner to the General Manager and ownership, providing analysis and recommendations that drive profitability and long-term performance. Oversee all financial operations, including P&L preparation, general ledger management, and balance sheet reconciliations. Analyze financial trends, labor costs, revenue management performance, and operational KPIs to provide actionable guidance to department heads. Treasury & Cash Management Oversee treasury functions, including banking operations, cash management, and short- and medium-term liquidity planning. Implement and maintain a daily cash reporting process. Prepare and distribute weekly cash flow commentary and analysis to executive leadership. Execute and approve payments as needed; improve payment processes and reduce check volume through automation and electronic solutions. Financial Reporting & Corporate Accounting Develop and maintain consolidated financial reporting (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) for the organization. Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close, ensuring timely and accurate reporting. Review monthly hotel financial statements and analyze operational performance. Maintain and enforce accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls. Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis Lead the annual budget process, monthly forecasting, and capital expenditure (CapEx) planning in collaboration with the General Manager and ownership. Develop budgets, forecasts, and financial models with department and management teams, including monthly forecast and variance reporting for all entities. Review and analyze financial performance, identifying trends and cost-saving opportunities. Operational Controls & Purchasing Supervision Direct the Purchasing department (two FTEs), ensuring strict inventory management, cost-of-sales controls, vendor negotiation, and receiving compliance. Supervise the onsite Staff Accountant overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable, night audit compliance, cash and credit card reconciliation, gratuity management, and daily revenue reporting. Establish and enforce robust internal control policies that safeguard hotel assets and minimize financial risk. Monitor operational contracts, leases, and vendor agreements to optimize luxury-standard service delivery at competitive costs. Tax, Audit & Compliance Partner with external accounting firms on tax planning, compliance, and ownership distributions/contributions. Prepare and file sales and use tax returns and ensure timely payments; support compliance with federal, state, and local tax requirements. Serve as primary liaison with external auditors and regulatory agencies. Supervise and coordinate the 401(k) audit in conjunction with the payroll and HR team members. Establish and monitor compliance with loan covenants, operating agreements, and lender reporting requirements. Payroll & Benefits Accounting Handle all payroll accounting functions, including payroll expenses, payroll taxes, and benefits-related reconciliations. Ensure payroll transactions are accurately recorded in the general ledger. Work collaboratively with payroll and HR teams to resolve discrepancies and maintain compliance. Team & Executive Engagement Lead, manage, and mentor the finance and procurement team, ensuring appropriate coverage and cross-training. Present monthly financial results to property ownership and executive committee members. Respond to ownership and management requests for financial data, analysis, and ad hoc reporting on a timely basis. Partner with guest-facing leadership to balance uncompromising luxury standards with disciplined financial control. Qualifications Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required. Experience: Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in hospitality finance, accounting, or FP&A, including managing or mentoring staff; luxury boutique hotel, resort, or premium-brand experience strongly preferred. Assistant Director of Finance or Senior Finance Manager candidates ready for the top role are encouraged to apply. Strategic & Hands-On: Demonstrated strategic and analytical acumen paired with a willingness to be hands-on with daily accounting tasks in a small-team environment. Tax Knowledge: Working knowledge of local, state, and federal tax regulations as they apply to the business; deep tax expertise not required. Technical Skills: Familiarity with USALI standards, hotel PMS systems (e.g., Opera), POS platforms, and hospitality accounting tools (e.g., M3, SunSystems, Sage, Management Reporter/FRX, Blackline). Advanced Excel and MS Office skills required. Attributes: Excellent communication, sharp attention to detail, and strong analytical skills, with the ability to work effectively with operational team members and property owners. Benefits Package Competitive annual salary target of $150,000 with opportunity for an annual bonus. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance. 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching. Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays. Employee hotel discounts and dining perks.
