Job Summary:

The Shipboard Finance team is charged with executing efficient and effective transaction processing and providing an expert financial point of view, contributing to proactively driving business results. The Finance Manager position is responsible for managing all finance operations onboard a Holland America Line vessel. This position is instrumental in assisting onboard operating departments in the decision making process through financial analysis and reporting.

Responsible for overall Financial Department operations to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures and any relevant government regulations. To protect the company’s financial interests in all matters. Oversight of all cash handling, cash flow, payroll.

Reporting to the Finance Manager are the Finance Specialist, Payroll Accountant, Inventory Accountant and Finance Administrative Assistants. In order to consistently exceed guest expectations and provide the highest levels of product and services, additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain an adequate cash balance and cash flow, exchange of traveler checks, and foreign currency. Order, receive, and deposit monies as required. Maintain ship’s cashbook balance on a daily basis. Perform and submit all month-end and year-end reconciling as per accounting policies.
• Ensure accurate administration and processing of the Daily Revenue Report (Dalrec). Monitor daily revenue and payment bookings to the Dalrec (JV/CD). Oversee that End of Voyage processing is completed and submitted timely, and check that the Final Dalrec figures are balanced with the corresponding Cashbook accounts.
• Management of onboard costs, controls, inventory management, financial reporting and analysis. Ensures Inventory team members provide accurate financial analysis, audits and data trends to anticipate needs, identifies operating/financial issues and recommend actions to maximize financial return.
• Ensure effective administration of payroll, service charges, benefit related payments to crew, as well as the accounting for all cash floats and Global Foreign Currency Program is processed appropriately by Payroll Accountant.
• Provides ongoing analytical support, e.g. monitoring the operating department’s actual and targeted revenues and expenses, to aid them in the business decision making process. Uses financial analysis, data trends to anticipate needs, identifies operating/financial issues and recommend actions to maximize financial return.

General Responsibilities:

• Manages and oversees the proper training of staff from operating departments in Finance procedures and ensure all accounting internal controls set for the various shipboard departments are being implemented and enforced.
• Communicates financial concepts in a clear and persuasive manner that is easy to understand and drives desired behaviors.
• Audits voyage recaps & reports prepared by the Finance team for accuracy and reasonableness.
• Reviews ship’s financial results on a regular basis and assists Hotel General Manager in providing accurate variance explanations to shore side management.
• Effectively manages cash flow: ensure efficient utilization of cash generated onboard, provide feedback and suggestions to minimize cash balance held onboard, based on trends and projections.
• Work with the Guest Services Manager and team to ensure guest issues pertaining to accounting and billing, clearance requirements, administrative policies, etc. are communicated and dealt with  efficiently.
• Oversight and operate the Global Foreign Currency (GFC) exchange program during non-North America itineraries; ensure compliance with required procedures and reporting, and ensure all users receive adequate and ongoing training in foreign cash handling and the GFC program usage. Provide necessary Float to Payroll Accountant for them to be able to effectively manage GFC daily Operations.
• Oversight with onboard Department Heads in ensuring they maintain their appropriate Inventory Level targets complying with the overall financial plan.
• Ensure accurate final settlement of all Guest and Officer shipboard accounts. Ensure authorization and processing of credit cards is in compliance with corporate financial regulations. Interact with guests when needed regarding any shipboard account issues.
• Compile onboard Corporate Partner Statements of Revenue; ensure accurate balancing with the Dalrec, receipt and administration of their cash, checks and other financial requirements.
• Administration of Shore Excursions operations to include settlement with Tour Operators, completion of timely Shore Excursion reports, ensure balancing with Fidelio bookings and Dalrec, agreement by Shore Excursion Manager and submission to shore side.
• Order, receive and maintain telephone and internet cards, maintain any vending machines, complete sales administration. Purchase postage stamps, administer inventory, and facilitate sales of stamps. Maintain inventory as appropriate to itinerary in conjunction with other ships.
• Facilitate payment of vessel’s purchases in port. Act as a legal agent for Company in authorizing expenses to the Ship’s Disbursement Account in ports of call.
• Manage, direct and process Performance Appraisals for all team members of the Finance Department accordingly.
• Maintain positive, effective, and respectful working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, managers, and officers within and across department boundaries.
• Comply with company policy regarding waste separation and environmental compliance.
• Conduct regular training with all departmental team members on food waste separation and environmental compliance as per Global Hess policies.
• Champions the use of the Navigator App experience tools to drive greater onboard revenue and guest satisfaction performance.
• Perform other job related functions as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the essential functions of this job, all team members are required to stand; walk long distances on the ship; use hands to touch, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk, hear, taste and smell. All vessel positions require repetitive motion of bending, climbing, going up and down stairs and lifting more than 25 pounds. This job requires specific vision abilities to include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• All team members must be physically able to participate in emergency lifesaving procedures and drills. All vessel positions require full use and range of arms and legs as well as full visual, verbal and hearing abilities to receive and give instructions in the event of an emergency including the lowering of lifeboats.
• Work within different temperature changes—indoors to outdoors.
• Able to work 7 days per week.
• Able to pass basic safety course.
• This is a minimal description of duties. Other work requirements may be necessary and assigned as business or maritime law dictates.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Requires College or University degree/diploma in Administration/Accounting, Hospitality, or related field.
• Minimum 5 year experience in the Hospitality Industry in Financial & Food and Beverage administrative positions showing progressive growth in responsibility.
• Preferred Financial experience within the cruise industry (premium or luxury market preferred) or with a large premium or luxury hotel/resort is required.
• Strong analytical and management skills
• Prior shipboard experience covering skills related to the Hotel Controller position.
• Commitment to follow established policies and procedures.
• Able to work independent in order to perform objective audit and reporting tasks.
• Able to work well and communicate effectively with shipboard personnel.
• Ability to multi-task and handle constantly changing priorities.
• Leadership, training and organizational skills demonstrated through past experience. Ability to keep information confidential at all times.
• Strong communication skills including written and verbal English communication.
• Working knowledge of computers and the ability to navigate within a variety of software programs such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Working knowledge of database programs and the ability to work with these types of programs proficiently.

Note: Other duties as assigned included and not limited to Health, Environmental, Safety and Security responsibilities.