Manager, Lodge Accounting

Company: Great Wolf Lodge
Location: Chicago
Posted on: March 29, 2025

Job Description:

Job Summary: This role is in the Chicago-based Lodge Accounting Team. Responsibilities include leading the Lodge Accounting Team, reviewing and assisting in the preparation of the monthly, quarterly, and year-end financials, schedules, and reconciliations. Provide mentorship for the Lodge Accounting Team, fostering a culture that is reflective of Great Wolf's Values. Analyze and record recurring, non-recurring, and/or technically complex business transactions. Develop, maintain, and monitor accounting policies and procedures. Serve as lead on various accounting operational projects, in addition to daily responsibilities.Responsibilities:

• Oversee general accounting work for all GWR operating properties, including management of their monthly financial close.
• Manage processes and a team of five direct reports to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting, including reconciliations and financial analysis.
• Develop and retain accounting staff by recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees.
• Manage team performance through coaching, planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
• Facilitate and drive process standardization, optimization, and consistent reporting and analysis of shared services activities for GWR properties; identify and implement changes to reduce cycle time.
• Build relationships and support GWR finance leaders at the properties.
• Act as Lodge Accounting point of contact for GWR properties for escalations and urgent matters related to general ledger/accounting processes.
• Maintain, enforce, and enhance GWR property processes, including streamlining and improving the quality of inputs to Shared Services processes.
• Guide financial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing policies and procedures.
• Ownership of sales & use tax filings, including keeping up to date with individual state and local tax (SALT) policy regulations.
• Protect operations by keeping financial information and plans confidential.
• Assist with ad-hoc projects as they arise.Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and CPA certification required.
  • Minimum of 6 years of progressive accounting experience.
  • Proven track record of team management.
  • Demonstrated strong technical accounting knowledge, including US GAAP.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to work with all levels of management and employees; ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
  • Demonstrated strong analytical skills with the ability to problem solve and use technology to improve the efficiency of the team.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in using accounting systems, implementation of corporate financial practices, and analysis of financial and operating information for management to facilitate decision-making.
  • Proficient in using accounting software and highly skilled in Microsoft Excel - macros, v-lookups, and pivot tables.
  • Ability to work from our Chicago Corporate Headquarters on a hybrid-remote work schedule (M/F optional work from home and T/W/TH in-office).Preferred Qualifications:
    • A combination of public and industry experience.
    • Experience with a major theme park or brand hotel.
    • Experience in a shared service environment, and the ability to occasionally travel.
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Keywords: Great Wolf Lodge, Chicago , Manager, Lodge Accounting, Executive , Chicago, Illinois