Senior Manager, Audit Services

Why Wyndham?

By joining Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, you will play an integral role in our mission to make hotel travel possible for all. You’ll be part of the largest hotel franchise company in the world, where we strive to deliver the best value to our owners and guests. Most importantly, you’ll be entrusted to live our unique Count on Me culture, set by our core values of integrity, accountability, inclusive, caring and fun. At Wyndham, we provide all team members the opportunity to grow through best-in-class training and career development, leadership training, mentorship opportunities and educational support.  Supporting our team members is a top priority, which is why we offer competitive compensation and benefits, vacation, team member appreciation days, workplace flexibility and much more.  At Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, we value and embrace a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion that supports team members of all backgrounds and experiences. We can’t wait to welcome you!

The Role

The Franchise Audit Sr. Manager will work on multiple ongoing projects. This position is integral to help identify unreported room revenue and to identify system or training related issues. The position will perform analytical and investigative services working directly with compliance staff, finance personnel, legal counsel, operations, and the executive team.

What you'll do

Create, lead and manage the franchise revenue audit plan by:

• Defining the appropriate risk ranking criteria to identify properties to schedule on-site, virtual & property management system audits throughout the year.
• Creating the audit pipeline to identify high-risk hotel properties to be audited based on risk ranking criteria established. 
• Prepare and monitor the audit revenue and expense budget to forecast.
• Complete month-end franchise revenue audit reporting for senior management.
• Independently scheduling and conducting on-site, virtual (remote) & property management system audits, including:
  
  • Drafting and sending audit confirmation letters prior to performing the on-site and virtual audits to inform property owners that an audit will be performed, noting the required financial records needed to complete the audit.
  • Reviewing and testing franchisees’ financial information to verify the accuracy of reported gross room revenue, as well as, ensure financial operational procedures are in accordance with the franchise agreements and company brand standards.
  • Documenting audit test procedures, findings, and results for review.
  • Communicating and discussing audit findings with franchise owners, general managers, and senior leaders within the Operations, Legal, and Finance teams.
  • Providing guidance to franchise owners and general managers regarding proper procedures for accurate revenue reporting, which impacts franchise fee revenue recognized by the company.
•  Complete required company trainings and participate in department specific training opportunities.

Manage the APAC audit manager as follows:

• Review the on-site and virtual audit schedule prepared by field auditors and communicate it to the Operations team.
• Review and approval of audit workpaper files prepared by field auditors.
• Review and approve audit billings, credits, and reversals for on-site, virtual, property management system and NT audits completed.
• Review and approval of audit billings, credits, and reversals reconciliations prepared by auditor.
• Perform mid-year and year-end performance reviews with direct report.
• Hire, mentor, coach, and train team members.

Collaborate with the APAC Head of Finance / Head of Operations / Legal teams as follows:

• Collaborate with the APAC Finance/Operations/Legal teams regarding outstanding audit billing questions, audit resolution / negotiations, audit credits and reversals, and payment plans for audit assessments.
• Meet with Head of Finance / Head of Operations on a regular basis to ensure that audit plan and regional plan are aligned
• Serve as the point of contact for the following audit related items:
  
  • Requests from Finance / Operations and franchisees to waive audit interest fees and audit costs.
  • Communications with franchisees to review and discuss audit findings and results prepared by staff auditors.
  • Coordination with Operations to negotiate and settle on audit assessments with franchisees.
  • Address requests from Legal for audit workpapers for prior audits under review, including depositions for potential legal settlement.
  • Interact with Senior Leaders within the Compliance, Legal, and Finance to resolve audit disputes and address compliance or hotel operation concerns/issues identified during on-site and virtual audits. 

Manage special requests for domestic and international franchise audits and work with respective Ops teams to resolve.

You'll be successful if you have

The candidate must have the ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the year for on-site franchise revenue audits (domestic and international), have a driver’s license and be willing to drive or fly.

The Audit Sr. Manager must be able to work independently, as well as, collaboratively with internal and external business personnel. The position requires the ability to multitask and to work with deadlines and under pressure. The candidate must have strong interpersonal skills, as well as, possess excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively interact with various stakeholders within the business including, franchisees, financial services management, and business/brand operations management. The candidate must possess excellent oral and written communication skills in order to clearly communicate, properly prepare audit workpaper files, and successfully provide high-quality customer service, even in difficult situations. The candidate should have strong time management and organization skills. An understanding or ability to learn the business structure and processes is key in assisting in preparing various reports that address audit findings.

Required Qualifications/Experience

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is preferred. Bachelor’s degree in other business-related concentrations would be considered if the candidate has significant work experience within the hospitality industry. 8+ years of auditing and/or accounting experience is required. Prior audit and accounting experience within the hospitality or franchise industry is not required but is a plus. Although not required, CPA or other business certification is a plus. The candidate should have an interest in learning business processes, auditing principles, internal controls, and system controls in a hospitality environment. Excellent time management, organization, and customer service skills are required.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree; Advanced degree a plus.
• Training requirements (licenses, programs or certificates): CPA is preferred but not mandatory
• Knowledge and Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, management skills, both in terms of running audits (both across and within regions) and individual performance management.
• Technical Skills: Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Products: Outlook, Excel, and Word
• Job experience: 8+ years of experience in compliance, legal or other control-related function in the financial services firm, regulatory organization, or legal/consulting firm, or a combination thereof; experience in area of focus; strong working knowledge of function/business/product and the related operations and financial requirements; previous experience managing a diverse staff; Advanced degree a plus.