Staff Accountant

Highgate Hotels is a prominent real estate investment and hospitality management company with a substantial portfolio exceeding $15 billion in assets and spanning more than 400 hotels across North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America. For over 30 years, Highgate has successfully positioned itself as an innovator in the hospitality industry, offering comprehensive services from property planning and development to recapitalization and disposition. This dynamic company is known for developing a diverse array of hotel brands, including bespoke lifestyle brands, legacy brands, and independent properties that feature contemporary programming enhanced by advanced digital technologies. Highgate Hotels employs state-of-the-art revenue management tools designed to anticipate market trends and enhance asset performance, cementing its reputation as a trusted partner for prominent ownership groups and global hotel brands.

Located at One Newbury Street in Boston's prestigious Back Bay neighborhood, The Newbury Boston is an iconic luxury hotel with a rich history dating back to 1927 when it originally opened as one of the first Ritz-Carlton hotels in the United States. Formerly known as the Taj Boston, the property has been exquisitely transformed into a 286-room luxury hotel featuring 16,000 square feet of sophisticated event space, signature dining experiences, and a striking reimagined entrance on Newbury Street.

The Staff Accountant role at The Newbury Boston is a vital position within the hotel's finance team, reporting directly to the Director of Finance. This role encompasses the responsibility of maintaining accurate and timely financial reporting while adhering to federal, state, and local regulations, as well as Highgate Hotels' Standard Operating Procedures. Key duties emphasize the management of Accounts Payable, General Cashier responsibilities, and Income Audit processes. The Staff Accountant ensures the safeguarding of owners' and investors' assets by implementing and maintaining internal controls and providing financial insights to support operational and strategic decision-making.

In this capacity, the Staff Accountant reviews daily Income Audit reports and coordinates with relevant departments to manage night audit packets and revenue reporting. They prepare weekly tax reconciliations for room occupancy and meal taxes and reconcile third-party billings and receivables from online travel agencies and other sources. This role involves posting daily wires and checks, billing for group events and corporate accounts, processing refunds and credit memos, and performing daily adjustments and credit card rebate reviews.

The Staff Accountant plays a critical role during the monthly close process by posting journal entries related to payroll and prepaid expenses, collecting and reconciling vendor statements, and preparing financial reports in compliance with Highgate's deadlines. They also handle general cashier duties, supervise the accounting support team responsible for processing accounts payable invoices and month-end procedures, and manage customer inquiries professionally and efficiently.

Monitoring guest ledgers, advance deposit ledgers, and related financial records to ensure internal control integrity is another critical function of the Staff Accountant. They must detect and report any unusual operational or financial discrepancies to management and ensure accuracy in invoicing by reconciling invoices against ledgers and schedules. Commitment to guest satisfaction is demonstrated through attentive listening and prompt resolution of concerns or escalation to appropriate management.

Staff Accountants are cross-trained in various areas within the Accounting Department to foster flexible and comprehensive support. They are expected to identify root causes of operational issues affecting staff or guests and propose actionable improvements aimed at enhancing efficiency, work environment, and guest experience. As a role requiring strong multitasking abilities, attention to detail, confidentiality, and effective communication, the Staff Accountant contributes positively to the overall success of the hotel and its financial health. This is a salaried, full-time position offering the opportunity to be part of a prestigious global hospitality leader with a commitment to excellence.