Audit Associate at The Smith Sisters Hospitality Group

Job Summary

• The Audit Associate is responsible for supporting the restaurant’s  financial control, audit, and compliance processes.
• The role involves reviewing daily sales, cash and card transactions, inventory movements, purchasing activities, discounts, voids, complimentary items, and other financial records to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company policies.
• The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, discreet, and comfortable working in a fast-paced fine-dining environment where accuracy and strong internal controls are essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct daily audits of restaurant sales, including food, beverage, service charges, and other revenue streams.
• Reconcile POS reports with cash, card, bank, and other payment records.
• Verify cash collections, deposits, refunds, discounts, voids, complimentary items, and promotional transactions.
• Review cashier and server transactions for accuracy and compliance with established procedures.
• Monitor daily revenue and investigate unusual variances or discrepancies.
• Perform periodic audits of food, beverage, wine, and other inventory.
• Compare physical stock counts with POS and inventory records and investigate variances.
• Review purchase orders, goods received notes, invoices, and supplier documentation.
• Check that purchases and expenses are properly authorized and supported by documentation.
• Assist in monitoring food and beverage cost percentages, wastage, spoilage, and stock losses.
• Review staff meals, complimentary items, transfers, and other non-revenue transactions.
• Identify control weaknesses, potential revenue leakages, irregularities, and operational risks.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly audit reports for management.
• Maintain accurate audit working papers and supporting documentation.
• Follow up on previously identified discrepancies and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Support internal and external audits when required.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting procedures, and applicable financial controls.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of financial, operational, and employee information.
• Perform other finance and audit duties assigned by management.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accuracy and timeliness of daily revenue audits.
• Reduction in unexplained cash and inventory variances.
• Timely identification and reporting of financial discrepancies.
• Compliance with internal financial controls and procedures.
• Accuracy of inventory and cost-control audits.
• Timely completion of audit reports and follow-up actions.
• Identification and prevention of revenue leakage and operational losses.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or HND in Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional accounting qualification or relevant certification is an advantage.
• 1–3 years of experience in audit, accounting, hospitality finance, or a related environment.
• Previous experience in a restaurant, hotel, hospitality, or food-and-beverage operation is preferred.
• Good knowledge of accounting principles and internal controls.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other relevant accounting/POS systems.
• Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy.
• Analytical and investigative skills.
• Excellent reconciliation and problem-solving abilities.
• Good understanding of POS and restaurant financial operations.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Integrity, discretion, and professional judgment.
• Ability to identify and report discrepancies objectively.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and public holidays when required.