I nt roduc t i on A t r i u m H o s p i t a l i t y & P r o p e r t y A c c o u n t i n g
We l c om e t o t h e F a m i l y !
You are now a member of a large and growing family, consisting of 9,000 associates spread over 82 properties in 29 different states. Atrium currently ranks as the 6 th largest hospitality management company in the United States with $1B in revenue and over 20,000 rooms under our care. “I am pleased to welcome you to the Property Accounting Team! I was the first team member hired by the VP of Finance back in 2015 when I was brought in to build and develop a team of high-quality staff accountants. From humble beginnings we experienced a whirlwind of growth, not only as a company but also a team. From a small office of 2 people, the Property Accounting Team currently numbers 44 associates located in Alpharetta, Cincinnati, and Phoenix. Atrium is an exciting place to work. The company is still young, constantly evolving and this offers many challenges. While some may not appreciate this environment, you have been invited to join this team because we believe that you thrive in such conditions. I want to challenge you to always have a positive mindset, seek to learn as much as possible, and enjoy your time with us!” - Bharathi Jeyalingam Senior Director of Property Accounting
We l c om e t o t h e F a m i l y !
“Meet deadlines. Produce good work. Take initiative. Show ambition. Be a leader.
We look forward to seeing your best!”
- Dan Hollman Director of Property Accounting
“Make yourself invaluable! Help us make this team well known for its ability to produce accurate, timely work as well as provide a high level of service to the rest of the organization. Have fun and purpose to establish a good work/life balance for yourself.” - Andrew Reichert Director of Property Accounting Mission Statement By embracing Atrium Hospitality Core Values, the Finance Department will engage in accurate and timely financial reporting and analysis that enhances and protects stakeholder value through a collaborative, efficient, and enjoyable work environment.
CORE VALUES
The daily effort required to provide a high-level service to each of our guests is immense and can only be accomplished by our family members working together in a culture we define as our Core Values. Perseverance : We will be better today than we were yesterday. Respect : We treat others the way we would like to be treated. Service : We deliver the best guest experience possible. We are a home away from home for our guest, and we are charged with making them feel safe and welcome. Teamwork : Our associates are our family, and we provide them the resources and support needed to produce the best work environment possible. The Accounting department has also upheld an unofficial fifth value that we believe is vital to the success of this team – flexibility. Flexibility: We acknowledge that our company is constantly evolving. To embrace each new challenge, we must be willing to adapt.
CORE VALUES
P E R S E R V E R A N C E
The learning curve on this team is challenging, and we expect that it will take a full 90 days to begin feeling confident in your ability to navigate our processes. During this time there will be occasions when you feel over-whelmed. Know that all new hires experience this feeling and you are not alone, so don’t allow the challenge of this position to make you feel frustrated. Focus on learning more each day and leaving each night knowing more than you did when you arrived that morning. No one wants to see you fail and there is an entire team to support you!
CORE VALUES
Always apply the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. A big challenge for our team is its interaction with the field accountants. Much of our work is dependent on their submitting information on a timely basis. This does not always happen, and sometimes it causes contention; however, always remember that field accountants are often experiencing challenges that are unknown to the corporate office. You would appreciate others understanding if circumstances compromise your ability to meet a deadline, so extend that grace to others. Respecting each other’s time is another way we live this value. Our team has many deadlines and we strive to meet all of them. Staff Accountants submit reconciliations. Managers are expected to review reconciliations and provide feedback. The team is expected to have complete reconciliations by certain dates because other departments are waiting for our work. Meeting deadlines is how we respect each other’s time!
R E S P E C T
CORE VALUES
S E R V I C E
Because we do not work at a property or have any type of customer interaction, Accounting may feel disconnected from this value. However, when we shift the focus to our “internal customers” – team members, field accountants, other departments, etc. – then this value is easily understood. Strive to deliver the best experience possible for those interacting with you. If a General Manager asks a question that lies outside of your area provide excellent support by reaching out to other resources to assist finding the answer. You may not have the answers but by helping to connect others you help the organization, including yourself. Think of yourself as a conduit for the information that flows between the property and the corporate office. You should want to be in the loop on communications. This will allow you to provide superior service.
CORE VALUES
The Accounting family lives this value every day! You are part of a team that wants you to succeed, and they will be there to provide support. As you persevere through the first 90 days you will connect with various associates each with different skill sets, but all willing to help you learn this role. If you find yourself feeling over- whelmed, don’t be shy about speaking with your manager. We have resources to assist. T E A MWO R K
CORE VALUES
F L E X I B I L I T Y
Change happens at Atrium! As a young, growing company, we are still evolving. Processes and organizational structures may shift to adapt to new circumstances. When change occurs, be flexible! New processes are not implemented successfully overnight. Expect growing pains. Communicate challenges. But always have a positive attitude. With a flexible mindset, this team is able to persevere any change and provide respectful teamwork and outstanding service to the rest of the organization.
Ac coun t i ng Tene t s
In addition to the Core Values shared by the company, the Finance Department also subscribes to the following tenets. (A tenet is simply a principle or belief.) These tenets are to be a part of our department’s culture and every team member should familiarize themselves with these guidelines: No surprises! Know your role and responsibilities Be audit ready every month
Exceed the expectations of stakeholders Be passionate and take pride in your work!
Ac coun t i ng Tene t s
NO SURPRISES! Hospitality is often a very fluid and dynamic operation. Many things happen which cannot be foreseen. However, as soon as changes occur, especially those having a financial impact, all stakeholders need to be made aware. For example, staff accountants may experience occasions where resolutions to balance sheet issues require an unplanned expense or credit to the P&L. These events need to be communicated to the property and operations team immediately. Likewise, there may arise difficulties and times when a team member realizes they will be unable to meet a deadline. That challenge needs to be communicated to their manager as soon as it is known, rather than waiting until after the deadline has past.
Ac coun t i ng Tene t s
KNOW YOUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Learn what is expected of a staff accountant at Atrium Hospitality. Were you brought on board simply to push paper and crunch numbers? No. While that is part of the job, the vision is for our team members to develop a high sense of awareness regarding their properties as well as a good understanding of how the entire process works together. They should soon begin to understand the company’s direction and goals. You may feel your part in the company’s journey is small, but you would be mistaken. You are uniquely situated to be the hub of important information. Take advantage of that to grow yourself and the company!
Ac coun t i ng Tene t s
BE AUDIT READY EVERY MONTH
Our financials are constantly under review. We have an annual audit, an interim audit, and we must submit financial reports to our lenders monthly. We cannot allow unresolved items to sit on our books for unreasonable amounts of time. As much as possible, reconciling items need to be identified and resolved within the same month. For those items that cannot be resolved, sufficient notation and documentation need to exist so that reviewers can understand the issue and have confidence that it is being resolved.
Ac coun t i ng Tene t s
EXCEED THE EXPECTATIONS OF STAKEHOLDERS Stakeholders are persons with an interest or concern in what happens at the property. Such parties would include: ownership, GM, RDOF, DOA, operations team, other departments, your manager, and the Directors of Property Accounting. You are privy to certain information about your property that other people depend on. When we do not communicate information, we are not meeting expectations. Staff Accountants also need to look for ways to assist the overall financial management of the property. While completing reconciliations, deficiencies can be found. Rather than just correcting the variance, the root cause needs to be addressed with the property and/or other departments so that we do not keep repeating the same mistakes period over period.
Ac coun t i ng Tene t s
BE PASSIONATE AND TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK We want team members who enjoy accounting and who strive to do the best possible job. We spend 40+ hours per week in Hospitality Accounting and we assume you are in this field because you enjoy the work. If you find that you do not have a passion for your role, please be sure to have an honest discussion with your manager and let’s see if we can get you into an area for which you have more passion. Always remember that your work will be reviewed by others who are not on your team. Do your part to help the team be successful. Challenge yourself to have the least amounts of reconciling items. Be competitive and work to finish work prior to the deadlines. Show ambition by not just identifying problems but working to resolve them. Make yourself invaluable!
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