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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Hotel Auditor

💰 $35,000 - $55,000

HospitalityFinanceAuditingAccounting

🎯 Role Definition

A Hotel Auditor, often working as the Night Auditor, is the financial cornerstone of the hotel's daily operations. This role is far more than just a nighttime front desk agent; it's a critical control function that ensures the financial integrity of the hotel. The auditor is responsible for verifying the accuracy and completeness of all guest and outlet transactions from the day, balancing the books, and closing out the financial day. By producing key daily reports, they provide management with a vital snapshot of the hotel's performance, enabling strategic decision-making. This position requires a unique blend of customer service excellence, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong analytical mindset, making the auditor an essential guardian of the hotel's revenue and reputation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Night Auditor / Front Desk Agent
  • Hotel Accounting Clerk
  • Front Desk Supervisor

Advancement To:

  • Assistant Financial Controller
  • Hotel Controller / Director of Finance
  • Regional or Corporate Auditor

Lateral Moves:

  • Accounts Payable/Receivable Manager
  • Revenue Manager
  • Income Auditor (day-shift equivalent)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Execute the end-of-day process meticulously within the Property Management System (PMS) to close out the business day and prepare systems for the next day's operations.
  • Conduct a comprehensive audit, balance, and report on all revenue centers of the hotel, including rooms, food and beverage outlets, and ancillary services.
  • Verify the accuracy of all guest folios, ensuring all charges, payments, and adjustments are correctly posted and documented.
  • Reconcile and balance all cash, check, and credit card transactions from various outlets against system reports, investigating and resolving any discrepancies.
  • Prepare and distribute a suite of daily financial reports for the management team, including the Daily Operations Report (DOR), revenue summaries, and occupancy statistics.
  • Perform a thorough review and verification of all rate adjustments, discounts, and complimentary stays, ensuring proper authorization and documentation are in place.
  • Manage the settlement process for all credit card transactions from the day's business, ensuring successful batching and transmission to the processing bank.
  • Act as the primary Manager on Duty during the overnight shift, handling guest requests, resolving complaints, and managing any emergencies with professionalism and authority.
  • Process all no-show reservations by verifying guarantee information and posting charges in accordance with hotel policy.
  • Conduct a detailed audit of the guest ledger and city ledger accounts to ensure accuracy and facilitate the accounts receivable process.
  • Secure and balance a cash float, providing change for outlets and performing cash drops in compliance with the hotel's cash handling procedures.
  • Monitor the hotel's security and fire safety systems throughout the night shift, conducting regular property walks and responding to any alarms or incidents.
  • Ensure that all required system backups are completed successfully and that all end-of-day applications have run without error.
  • Meticulously collate, file, and archive all audit paperwork, source documents, and system-generated reports for future reference and financial review.
  • Communicate key findings, unresolved issues, and important handover information to the morning management and accounting teams.
  • Handle late-night guest check-ins and check-outs efficiently, providing a high standard of service that reflects positively on the hotel.
  • Investigate and rectify any posting errors or system imbalances identified during the audit process, documenting the corrective actions taken.
  • Uphold and enforce all internal financial controls, policies, and procedures to safeguard hotel assets and prevent fraud.
  • Maintain a deep understanding of the hotel’s various packages, promotions, and billing arrangements to ensure they are being processed correctly.
  • Review and verify the accuracy of banquet event orders (BEOs) and their corresponding charges posted to group master accounts.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the accounting department with ad-hoc data requests and provide exploratory analysis on revenue trends or discrepancies.
  • Contribute insights from daily operations to help refine the organization's financial control strategies and procedures.
  • Collaborate with front office and F&B leadership to translate recurring data discrepancies into training opportunities and process improvements.
  • Participate in team meetings to review audit findings and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement within the finance and operations teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Property Management System (PMS) Proficiency: Expertise in hotel PMS software such as Opera, OnQ, Fosse, or LightSpeed.
  • Advanced MS Excel: Ability to use spreadsheets for creating reports, performing reconciliations, and data analysis using formulas and functions.
  • Point of Sale (POS) Systems: Familiarity with F&B and retail POS systems like Micros, Squirrel, or Agilysys.
  • Accounting Principles: Solid understanding of basic accounting and bookkeeping principles.
  • Cash Handling & Control: Proven experience and accuracy in managing cash transactions and balancing a cash drawer.
  • Credit Card Processing: Knowledge of credit card settlement procedures, PCI compliance, and chargeback basics.
    -10-Key Data Entry: Speed and accuracy in numerical data entry.
  • Financial Reporting: Ability to generate, read, and interpret standard hotel financial reports.
  • Reconciliation: Strong skills in balancing accounts and reconciling financial statements.
  • Night Audit Procedures: In-depth knowledge of the end-of-day sequence and audit trail.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: An exceptional ability to spot inaccuracies and ensure every detail is correct.
  • Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: The capacity to investigate discrepancies, identify the root cause, and implement effective solutions.
  • Integrity & Trustworthiness: Unquestionable ethical standards and discretion when handling sensitive financial and guest information.
  • Independent & Self-Motivated: The ability to work productively and without direct supervision during overnight hours.
  • Effective Communication: Clear and concise communication skills, both written and verbal, for handovers and guest interactions.
  • Time Management & Organization: The skill to prioritize tasks and manage workflow efficiently to meet strict deadlines.
  • Composure Under Pressure: The ability to remain calm and decisive when handling guest issues or emergency situations.
  • Guest Service Orientation: A genuine desire to provide excellent service, even while performing a technical role.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent General Education Degree (GED).

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Hospitality Management
  • Accounting or Finance
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of experience in a hotel environment.

Preferred: Direct experience in a Night Auditor, Front Desk, or Hotel Accounting role is highly desirable. Experience in a supervisory capacity is a plus.

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