Chris Maxwell Email & Phone Number

Bethesda, Md, Us

Director of Finance at Westin and Sheraton Kansas City complex of two 700+ room hotels in the Crown Center area of Kansas City

Oversee finance, accounting, reporting, billing, credit, collections, contracts, cash management, budgeting, forecasting, payroll, A/P, and A/R. Devise annual business plans with hotel executives and department heads. Analyze financial results for reporting to ownership and regional accounting team. Manage change during company and system transitions. Advise General Manager and Leadership Team on financial issues and encourage sound business decision making. Ensure internal controls are in place to reduce cost or loss, improve productivity and increase profitability. Lead monthly profit and loss critique meetings. Present Accounting perspective during owner meetings and regional review meetings.

Consistent responsibilities as mentioned above for the Director of Finance position at the Overland Park Marriott Hotel.Financial & Operational Highlights• Participated in the sale of the hotel on two different occasions including food, beverage, and A/V equipment inventories, proving pro-rations, and protecting the interests of the hotel manager• In conjunction with centralization of some Accounting functions, reduced staff necessary on property to three from a high of nine• Filed a $2M insurance claim with complete documentation of expenses as a result of flooding - 99.7% of expenses accepted by insurance company and paid• Served as Coach for labor management and also for Breakthrough Leadership – a form of the Franklin Covey 4 Disciplines of Execution

• Generated accurate and timely reports to enable hotel departments to analyze budget and year over year variances• Provided feedback to operating managers on results with recommendations to improve results by reducing departmental costs and improve staff productivity • Reviewed hotel financial results weekly at staff meetings to ensure all departments manage expenses according to changes in revenue results• Developed a Finance scorecard for hotel departments to track compliance with completion of Accounting-related tasks in their areas• Brought a focus within the Accounting team to automate manual process to enhance efficiency and increase productivity in a hotel that had been stagnant and slow-paced• Created operating budget and capital expenditure budget with minimal training

Assistant Controller• Overall responsibility for the day-to-day functioning of the Accounting office to include actual performance of Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Payroll tasks when necessary• Drove the month-end process of entering journals, balancing accounts prior to close, analyzing revenue and expense accountsStaff Accountant • Prepared and posted regular, recurring journal entries, correcting entries, accruals, and month-end journals• Maintained the integrity of the balance sheet by fully reconciling every account every month/periodSystems Manager• Oversaw the installation and setup of all computer systems for new-build hotel to include property management system, food and beverage point of sale, and all personal computers and printers• Assisted with writing of Accounting standard operation procedures and training of Accounting staff prior to opening of hotel