The daily accounting and bookkeeping activities of hotels and motels are reviewed by a hotel auditor, also known as a hotel night auditor because his job is traditionally performed at night. He could work anywhere from a small to a large company. A hotel auditor is typically employed full-time by large hotels, while smaller hotels require him to work part-time. In some cases, he may also work the night shift as a front desk clerk.
A person in this position is responsible for reviewing the previous day’s transactions and reconciling the related books and records. He can do these tasks by hand or with the help of a computer. For daily assessments, a large number of hotel auditors use a computerized property management system. This system, according to reports, calculates hotel daily transactions four times faster than manual methods.
The position of hotel auditor generally necessitates excellent organizational skills. When it comes to calculating numbers for a variety of internal accounts at a hotel, having a keen eye for detail is a valuable asset. Multitasking skills are frequently required when an auditor is required to handle the front desk while auditing.
The primary responsibility of a hotel auditor is to process payments from guests. He checks each transaction to ensure that funds from credit and debit card transactions have been transferred to the hotel’s bank account. If any inconsistencies or problems are discovered, the auditor is usually expected to resolve them quickly.
A hotel auditor is traditionally expected to post the daily room and tax rate on each guest’s tab in addition to payment verification. In most cases, he is also expected to check each invoice for the accuracy of auxiliary charges. Payment for movie rentals, long-distance phone service, wireless Internet connections, mini-bar purchases, and room service are all examples of additional costs.
If the hotel has a gift shop, bar, or restaurant, the hotel auditor’s responsibilities usually include balancing the daily transactions for each of these establishments. This frequently necessitates him interacting with the location’s manager or associates. In reviewing their records, he may need their help to address any accounting irregularities he discovers.
A high school diploma or equivalent is usually required for this position. It’s possible that a bachelor’s degree in finance is required. Most employers also look for auditing, bookkeeping, or accounting experience, as well as knowledge of computerized property management systems. For hotel auditor job seekers, experience in the hospitality industry is often viewed as a plus.