Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) Local is a hard services-led, tailored facility management solution. We self-perform hard services while partnering with best-in-class soft service providers to offer custom facility and project management solutions to our clients. We focus on empowering our team with a high-level of downstream accountability, resulting in an agile and efficient service delivery.
In addition to our core facility and project management capabilities, our platform offers direct access to our Best-in-Class services, including ESG, Security Consulting, Workplace Strategy, and Workplace Experience.
About the Role: As a CBRE Senior Finance & Account Support Manager, you will lead sustainable financial growth by taking ownership of the financial strategy, controls and management information for the Business Unit.
Provide insight and influence to impact performance and maintain competitive advantage alongside financial and Account support leadership and direction in the Business Unit. This will involve personal attitude, use of skills and dissemination of knowledge. Use specialist knowledge and experience to provide insight and influence, to impact performance standards. Implement improvements, drive change, raise standards through the direct and indirect management of the team. Act as a business partner to the Business Unit Director to both advise and challenge senior management on Account performance. Build meaningful relationships across multi-stakeholders within CBRE leveraging opportunity to improve Business Unit profile
What You'll Do: Customer
- Developing high-quality and effective Client relationships, especially across the Business Unit.
- Build good working relationships with account management and key client members and be a business partner for both.
- Assist with client team requests in a timely and accurate manner.
- Tightly manage Account governance, demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of the terms and conditions of the contract to ensure that all cost elements are appropriately accounted for.
- Positively respond to both our internal and external customers (often in a matrix environment) through effective communication and personal accessibility/credibility.
Financial Reporting
- Participate in monthly formal Account and Business unit reviews. Ensure the use of the best practices, communication, and understanding of key business messages through monthly site visits with a focus on underperforming Accounts.
- Prepare accurate Business Unit reports in line with the monthly company timetable including full Profit & Loss account with analysis and commentary, Balance Sheet extracts and reconciliations, detailed Project Profitability reporting, Profit & Loss forecasts, and annual plans.
- Ad-hoc reporting, support and financial analysis as requested by Divisional Finance Director or Business Unit Director.
Account and Finance Management
- Continually review, maintain, and improve cash flow, margins, and reporting. Develop targets and benchmarking processes to challenge the financial information.
- Drive high-quality financial/commercial performance through understanding the contractual commitments on service lines in the US and ensure are aligned and consistent with global Account management practices.
- Review Account and Business Unit P&L results and challenges.
- Active management of overheads for business whilst seeking out areas for efficiencies for savings.
- Build and develop high-level relationships with business and account leaders, central finance teams, customers, and external agencies (e.g. auditors).
- Communicate regularly with Account financial and Account support staff to ensure they are fully informed of operational objectives and achievements.
Finance/Accounting Processes, Procedures, and Reporting
- Ensure company policies and procedures are adhered to consistently throughout the Business Unit / Account.
- Work collaboratively with People Team on the bonus and annual salary review process.
- Ensure full substantiation of all accruals, client billing, accounts receivables, un-billed revenue, etc., in line with GWS policy.
- Ensure proper cost and revenue recognition alignment.
- Must have an in-depth understanding of financial results and reasons for key performance variances.
- Ability to identify financial opportunities and risks as well as perform account reconciliations.
- Ability to research, data-mine and problem solve independently. Attention to detail is required.
- Manage the integrity of data in Client reporting and GWS systems.
- Develop an understanding of how to best utilize GWS system-generated reporting capabilities.
- Continually develop systems to maximize efficiency benefits for clients & GWS.
- Ensure the accuracy and integrity of accounting records and financial systems, identify opportunities to enhance system efficiencies
- Have thorough knowledge of procedures and processes and lead the delivery of these to the required standard.
- Manage compliance through the required procedures and processes.
Finance Planning
- Lead the preparation of the annual bottom-up Plan for and monitoring the forecast throughout the year.
- Lead the preparation of bi-annual forecasts.
Financial Governance
- Ensure CBRE and statutory obligations are met for reporting and governance purposes.
- Responsibility for ensuring the integrity of the Balance Sheet and Balance Sheet Commentary.
- Driving and agreeing on any financial policy requirements with the Divisional Financial Director.
People Management
- Recruit, induct, manage, target, motivate, and develop the Account Supports, Business Operations Managers and other BU Finance Staff.
- Review and advise on resourcing gaps.
- Carry out structured appraisals and ensure personal development plans are in place and include succession plans.
- Build, lead, and motivate a diverse and effective team. Empower team members to take responsibility and accountability.
- Convey messages and ideas clearly and openly. Involve people and influence decisions.
What You'll Need: - Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) from a four-year college or university in a business-related field.
- Requires a minimum of six years of related experience including at least three years in a lead or supervisory capacity.
- Accounting and month-end close experience required.
- CPA or MBA (graduate degree) is preferred, but not required (depending on experience).
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Ability to:
- Comprehend, analyze, and interpret the most complex business documents.
- Effectively interact with management, employees, auditors, etc., and respond effectively to the most sensitive issues.
- Accurately explain/report activity in verbal and written communications.
- Make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to employees, clients, top management, and/or public groups.
- Motivate and work collaboratively with business partners, key employees, top management, and client groups on various projects. Fosters an environment of team building and an open-door policy.
FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE
- Requires in-depth knowledge of financial terms and principles.
- Ability to forecast and prepare budgets.
- This position conducts complex financial/business analysis, including the preparation of complex reports. Broad, in-depth understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), concepts. SEC reporting experience desired (depending on the specific finance role).
REASONING ABILITY
- Ability to solve advanced problems and deal with a variety of options in complex situations. =
- Requires expert-level analytical and quantitative skills with proven experience in developing strategic solutions for a growing matrix-based multi-industry sales environment.
- Ability to problem-solve, both independently and working as a team.
- Draws upon the analysis of others and makes recommendations that have a direct impact on the company.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES
- Strong computer skills, including specific knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.).
- Broad experience with other software and financial systems is desired (particularly HFM Consolidation, PeopleSoft Financials, and Cognos Planning).
- Knowledge of the real estate service industry and terminology is helpful.
- Ability to plan and manage multiple projects and work streams. Strong work ethic and adaptability.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Decisions are made with an in-depth understanding and interpretation of procedures, company policies, and business practices to achieve general results.
- Responsible for setting department deadlines.
- Errors in judgment may cause a long-term impact on co-workers, supervisors, department, and/or line of business.
