Accounting Training

RESTY J.CRUZ

Ewa Beach, HI *****

Phone: 808-***-**** Email: **********@*****.***

www.linkedin.com/in/restyjcruz/

Summary

Hotel Accounting and Operations Trainer and Facilitator with International experience. Worked as Director of

Finance and Financial Controller opening international Hilton hotels. Successfully trained, developed, and

managed global accounting departments in Hawaii, Asia/Pacific, Australia, Benelux region, Nordic, Italy, Israel,

Japan, and Korea. Streamlined finance management and management training, while improving staff productivity.

Graduated with an MBA while working full-time and raising a family.

Asia/Pacific

• Lead Training Facilitator for Asia/Pacific’s accounting and operational finance program. More than 200

Hilton International executives and department heads graduated from the program.

• Developed the Training Manual for Operational Finance (Finance for Non-Finance Professionals).

• Successfully led and managed the first Hilton International Accounting team in the world to earn an

“Exceptional Rating” in an Internal Audit. Auditors cited the good internal controls in place and the

various best business practices introduced by the Tokyo Bay Hilton Accounting Team. (1999)

• Successfully pioneered the Tokyo Bay Hilton Accounting Team’s one-day Accounting Month-end Book

Closing for Asia /Pacific, which is now the standard for Hilton International Hotels in Asia Pacific.

• Streamlined the efficiency and increased the productivity of the Accounting Department operations by

merging functions. Resulted in consolidated responsibilities (Stores/Receiving, Credit/Collection, Income

Auditor/Head checker, General Cashier/Accounting Clerk) and saved ¥20,000,000 (20 million yen)

annually. Reduced the Accounting Department by six fewer employees versus the established manning

guide.

Europe

• Implemented the region’s accounting and operational controls procedure training program as the Regional

Financial Controller.

• Introduced Training Manual for Operational Finance (Finance for Non-Finance Professionals) to Europe’s

Hilton International Belgian operations.

• Improved audit scores from low to medium/high at 18 Hilton Hotel properties across Europe through

extensive internal control training of accounting teams of hotels.

Hawaii

• Led fraud report training of Finance staff at the Doubletree Alana Waikiki using Hilton Hotel Corporation

fraud reporting guidelines.

• Conducted training workshops after restaurant coupon procedures were approved by the Hotel

administration.

• At the Hawaii Health Connector, created Finance policies and procedures, set-up of payroll system, set-up

of financial system and monthly financial reporting system, completion of calendar year budget and the

successful Fiscal Year audit.

Consultant /Director of Finance July 2013-Present

Currently works as a Director of Finance for Olino Events, LLLC dba Ola at Turtle Bay Resort. The

restaurant is located at Hawaii’s fabled North Shore’s Turtle Bay Resort. Assumed the position in

January 2014. Restructured the accounting functions by introducing new computer system to record

revenues, bank deposit reporting, and internal control functions.

Heavily involved in the training function of 60 plus employees in administration, sales, operations, and

kitchen operations. Represent the Owners in hotel related activities and meetings.

Prior to position at Olino Events, LLC, provided consulting services to companies related to tourism

trade with emphasis on training and developing accounting and administrative staff with focus on team

efficiency, internal control, and management development.

Hawaii Health Connector May 2012- June 2013

Director of Fiscal Services and Accounting (Health Exchange Startup)

• Successful Fiscal Year audit

• Implemented organization-wide accounting systems and financial transactions

• Created Finance policies and procedures

• Completion of calendar year budget

Kauai Beach Resort; Lihue, Kauai September 2011-November

2011

Interim Director of Finance

• Supervised the Accounting department’s team of 6, covering the following functions: general books,

accounts payable, accounts receivable, income audit, purchasing, and general stores.

• Performed month-end book closing and preparation of the Hotel's financial statements using Peachtree

financial systems.

Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hawaii 2010-2011

Task Force Assistant Director of Finance

Conducted audits in line with Hilton Hotel Corporation’s internal audit guidelines and follow up reviews of

outstanding audit recommendations

Reviewed Accounts Payable documents before payments are made. Created checks for distribution to suppliers.

Reviewed invoices and payments to large suppliers to determine payments are in compliance with contract

agreements and suppliers.

Double Tree Alana (A Hilton Hotel); Waikiki, HI 2010-2011

• Led fraud report training of Finance staff using Hilton Hotel Corporation fraud reporting guidelines.

• Conducted training workshops and audits in line with Hilton Hotel Corporation’s internal audit

guidelines.

• Reviewed the present restaurant coupon procedures; wrote the control procedures to eliminate potential

fraud.

• Reviewed Accounts Payable documents before payments were made. Created checks for distribution to

suppliers.

• Reviewed invoices and payments to large suppliers to determine if payments were in compliance

with contract agreements and suppliers.

• Reviewed large accounts costs paid to suppliers to ensure cost effective pricing.

• Reviewed clearing accounts and meal packages to determine accurate postings by restaurant cashiers.

Hilton International Hotels (18 hotels); Benelux region, Nordic, Italy, Israel 2007-2010

• Led training for regional executives and department heads in Operational Finance.

• Completed internal audits and follow-up visits to regional hotels in the Middle East, Africa and Asia

Pacific.

• Planned and performed internal audits of hotel financial records and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX).

• Ensured all financial reports were accurate and complied with Hilton’s policies and procedures, as well as

regulatory and contractual requirements.

• Developed recommendations for the enhancement of controls and improved efficiency and effectiveness

of operations.

Audited the following Hilton International Hotels 2007-2010

Hilton International Hotels (Hilton Singapore, Singapore Conrad, Tokyo Conrad, Hilton Osaka,

Hilton Nagoya, Hilton Odawara, Hilton Tokyo, Hilton Hanoi, Conrad Bangkok, Hilton Phuket,

Hilton Hua Hin, Hilton Namhai, Conrad Istanbul, Hilton Istanbul, Hilton Malta, Conrad

Maldives, Hilton Bali, Conrad Shanghai, Hilton Beijing, Hilton Melbourne, Hilton Sydney, Hilton

Perth, Hilton Melbourne,

Hilton Dubai, Hilton Dubai Creek,); Asia/Pacific, Middle East, Australia 2007-2010

Operational Finance Facilitator

• Lead Training Facilitator for more than 5 years for Asia/Pacific’s accounting and operational finance

program.

• More than 200 executives and department heads graduated from the program.

• Developed the Training Manual for Operational Finance (Finance for Non-Finance Professionals.)

Financial Controller; Tokyo Bay Hilton; Tokyo, Japan 1988-

2007

• Directly supervised more than 30 Accounting Department employees.

• Led and managed Hilton’s first accounting team in the world to receive “Exceptional Rating” in Internal

Audit. Prepared profit and capital budgets and reported operating results.

• Established and streamlined an internal control system of assets and revenues. Implemented credit and

collection policies. Oversaw investment of excess funds.

• Pioneered the one-day Accounting Month-end Book Closing for Asia/Pacific and established the standard

for Hilton International Hotels in Asia/Pacific.

• Streamlined the efficiency and increased the productivity of the Accounting Department operations by

merging functions resulting in consolidated responsibilities (Stores/Receiving, Credit/Collection, Income

Auditor/ Head-checker, General Cashier/Accounting Clerk.)

• Saved approximately $5,000 per training session as a result of being the lead facilitator.

• Saved ¥20,000,000 (20 million yen) annually by reducing the Accounting Department by six fewer

employees versus the established manning guide.

Financial Controller; Hilton Osaka 1987-

1988

• Trained, developed, and managed the Accounting Department.

• Oversaw hiring and training of credit, data processing, front desk Guest Service Reps, storeroom and

office departments.

• Secured licenses for hotel operations. Completed documentation for municipal and tax authorities.

• Streamlined the efficiency and increased the productivity of the Accounting Department operations by

merging functions resulting in consolidated responsibilities (Stores/Receiving, Credit/Collection, Income

Auditor/ Head-checker, General Cashier/Accounting Clerk.)

Seoul Hilton; Seoul, South Korea 1983-1987

Regional Controller

• Supervised 60 staff members. Conducted audits of Seoul Hilton, Tokyo Hilton and Guam Hilton.

• Detailed internal control weaknesses discovered through these audits.

• Improved the internal control functions of the hotels audited by training the accounting staff.

Professional Development Seminars/Courses

Cornell University - Strategies for Effective Self- Management: Core Competencies of Personal Development;

Strategic Pricing and Revenue Management; Internal Control; Commercial Food Production

Sophia University Extension School Tokyo – Economics course

Temple University Tokyo – Public Speaking course

Education

University of Guam; Agana, Guam

Master of Business Administration

Far Eastern University; Manila, Philippines

Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Accounting

Personal

Running, Swimming, Tennis, Walking, Travelling

Father of 2 daughters, Married to my wife of 40 years

Contact this candidate