What does a Hotel Auditor do?
A hotel auditor, also often referred to as a hotel night auditor because his job is traditionally performed at night, reviews the daily accounting and bookkeeping activities of hotels and motels. He may work at a small to large location. Large hotels typically employ a hotel auditor full-time and smaller ones generally require him to work on a part-time basis. In some cases, he may also serve as the front desk clerk for the night shift.
A person in this position normally examines the day’s transactions and balances the related books and records. He may perform these tasks manually or use a computer to do his job. A significant number of hotel auditors use a computerized property management system for daily assessments. This system reportedly calculates the daily transactions of hotels up to four times more quickly than manual methods.
The hotel auditor position generally requires excellent organizational skills. A good eye for detail is considered a helpful attribute in calculating numbers for a variety of internal accounts at a hotel. If an auditor is required to handle the front desk while auditing, multitasking skills are frequently required.
The main task of a hotel auditor customarily focuses on processing payments from the guests. He typically reviews each transaction to ensure the funds have been transferred to the hotel coffers from credit card and debit card transactions. If discrepancies or problems are discovered, the auditor is normally expected to resolve them with expediency.
In addition to payment verification, a hotel auditor is traditionally expected to post the daily room and tax rate on each guest’s tab. He is also normally required to review each invoice for the accuracy of auxiliary charges. These extra costs generally include payment for movie rentals, long distance phone service, wireless Internet connections, mini-bar purchases and room service.
If the hotel is large enough to have a gift shop, bar or restaurant, the hotel auditor’s job duties typically include balancing the daily transactions for each of these businesses as well. This frequently requires him to interact with the manager or associates at these locations. He may require their assistance to address any accounting irregularities he discovers in reviewing their records.
Qualifications for this job typically include a high school diploma or equivalent. A bachelor's degree in a finance-related field may be required. Most employers also require professional experience in auditing, bookkeeping or accounting, as well as familiarity with computerized property management systems. Work background in the hospitality industry is often considered a plus for hotel auditor job seekers.
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![Hotel auditors are often tasked with checking that a customer is charged for amenities, which might include in-room Internet access.]()
By: diego cervoHotel auditors are often tasked with checking that a customer is charged for amenities, which might include in-room Internet access. -
![Hotel auditing can be a good entry-level position for employees willing to work overnight to settle a hotel's financial records.]()
By: mertcanHotel auditing can be a good entry-level position for employees willing to work overnight to settle a hotel's financial records. -
![Hotel auditors may look at which features are more in demand at a hotel.]()
By: poplasenHotel auditors may look at which features are more in demand at a hotel. -
![If a hotel auditor is required to handle the front desk while auditing, multitasking skills are a must.]()
By: bloomuaIf a hotel auditor is required to handle the front desk while auditing, multitasking skills are a must. -
![Hotel auditors examine daily operational costs, such as supplies used by the housekeeping staff.]()
By: pio3Hotel auditors examine daily operational costs, such as supplies used by the housekeeping staff.
Discussion Comments
@JessicaLynn - I don't think I would like to be alone in a small hotel at the front desk at night. So I guess if I ever wanted to work as a hotel auditor, I would work at a larger hotel!
Honestly, working as a night auditor at a larger hotel sounds like it would be kind of cool. You would probably have coworkers around, but it sounds like you wouldn't have to deal with customers too often. That sounds like a bonus to me!
@indemnifyme - It is true that hotels aren't as busy at night, but crazy stuff does happen in hotels at night! I actually have a friend who worked as a night auditor at a small hotel, and he had some crazy stories for me.
Since he worked at a small hotel, he would check people in while he was doing his other work, so he had to sit at the front desk all night. He was pretty much the only on there, so it would get really lonely if there were no guests checking in. And of course every so often, something crazy would happen to shake up his routine.
I think it makes a lot of sense that most hotels have their hotel income auditor work at night. I have a friend who works in the hotel industry, and from what she tells me, most hotels are way busier during the day then at night. Yes, sometimes guests do check in at night, but not as often as during the day!
Plus, usually the hotel gift shops and restaurants will be closed at night, so it makes sense to process all the transactions at night. That way there aren't transactions coming in as you're trying to process them.
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