International Collections Specialist EMEA

Job Summary

The International Collections Specialist EMEA will manage specific finance functions related to the collections of delinquent receivables for a portfolio of accounts in the EMEA region in order to maintain the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (WHR) cash flow. They will be required to converse and communicate in English as a minimum in relation to the portfolio coverage, while other languages could be beneficial. 

In addition, they will work closely with franchisees and Field Operations, as well as internal departments, mainly Finance and Legal, ensuring that franchisees' and hotels' financial obligations to WHR are met in a satisfactory manner. Areas of responsibility mainly include but are not limited to collection and missing withholding tax receipt calls; resolving past due accounts; negotiating payment arrangements; reviewing financial statements; fielding incoming calls; recommending accounts for next collection steps; account reconciliations including submitting write-offs and payment processing details; reconciling withholding tax receipts and VAT (where applicable), and perform withholding and VAT (where applicable) adjustments and other miscellaneous write-offs.  

The individual will also be required to complete the daily identification and application of payments and special projects. 

They are required to have an understanding of withholding tax implications, and be able to identify and resolve financial issues, as well as communicate such issues to Senior Finance management on a timely basis.  

Responsibilties

• Deputise for the Manager and supervise the team in their absence for their tasks and areas of responsibility within the team. 
• Identification, analysis, reconciliation and application of international payments, including reconciliation of foreign exchange differences.
• Reconcile withholding tax receipts and VAT, and process necessary adjustments.
• Pursue outstanding receivables to maintain WHR cash flow, including but not limited to conducting all means necessary to improve the A/R aging and DSO, obtaining and processing withholding tax receipts, and maintaining overall A/R integrity. Facilitate payments from past due accounts or recommend accounts for next steps in collection process.

Complexity

The position has autonomy to process and reconcile withholding tax for individual accounts.  

Withholding tax write-offs processed by the International Collections Specialist EMEA are prepared independent of direction but require final management approval. Cash applications are performed without supervision and review prior to processing.

The Specialist works to resolve outstanding accounts in a way that directly impacts the WHR cash flow. This position provides expertise in developing settlement arrangements for collection.

They will also determine the collectability of receivables and make write-off recommendations. The position is expected to work without routine supervision.  

They are expected to provide valuable insights for senior management to use to make decisions for achieving the financial goals of the organisation.

Scope/ Financial Responsibility

The individual has a high level of impact on EMEA cash flow. They are critical to timely processing of payments and write-offs, ensuring accounts reflect accurate amounts due, in turn impacting the collectability of monies.  

Failure to accurately and efficiently perform the job responsibilities will have a negative impact on cash collections, outstanding withholding tax and VAT (where applicable), unapplied cash, and levels of customer service as issues with accounts will rise. Incorrectly processing tax adjustments has potential tax implications.  

This position has a measurable impact on the company’s financial performance as it has a direct impact on collections (cash flow) and pursuit/ resolution of outstanding accounts (reduction of bad debt). The role is responsible for improving the A/R aging and DSO, obtaining and processing withholding tax receipts, and maintaining overall A/R integrity. The individual oversees the collection process and ensures accurate collection measures are being taken to reduce the overall company liability and exposure.

Abilities/ Key Competencies/ Skills

• Must speak and write in English (additional languages are an advantage)
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Motivated and detail-oriented person who is able to work independently in a fast paced environment
• Well-developed negotiation skills
• Heavy phone usage/ volume
• Must be persistent with excellent follow up skills 
• Good problem-solving and decision making skills
• Must be results driven and results oriented 
• Good organisational and planning skills
• Must work well with others and be able to contribute to a team
• Proficient with computers is required
• Customer focused with excellent customer service skills
• Able to read and understand operational stats
• Understands impact of market conditions and hotel industry challenges

Experience/ Certificates/ Education

• University degree
• Demonstrate professional experience in a collections, finance or analytical role
• Highly proficient in Excel, especially in Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP
• Hotel experience is a plus

Organisational Relationships

The International Collections Specialist EMEA reports to the Manager, Financial Services, Collections & Reporting EMEA.