[Oimie]

I am getting my first accounting related job interview ever. It will be a part time accountant position at a big hotel in the city. The details on the responsibilities and duties are unclear since my friend referred me to it and she was being really vague saying “AP, AR just think of hotel accounting related stuff.”

When I emailed my resume to the person I was referred to, I explicitly stated I was unclear on the details as well as I had no prior accounting experience and am not sure if I am qualified for the position. I was still offered to come in and talk about the details on the position.

So I am sure they already know I know nothing. But it would be nice to know as much information as I can before I go. Anything to raise my chances of getting the job. I am wondering if anyone has any hotel accounting experience and share some knowledge with me. I have an excellent knowledge of US GAAP so you can talk to me using accounting terms. Thank you!

FAR 85 June 2015
AUD 80 Nov 2015
REG 83 Nov 2015
BEC 79 Feb 2016

[Skynet]

My Hotel Accounting Experience is not suitable for Children ages 13 and under on this Forum ; )

[golfball7773]

I agree with Skynet minus the family vacations growing up. Since marriage, the hotel experience is rated as Skynet explained.

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Skynet]

golfball7773 – New Year! How have you been? Hopefully your studying is going well. I know you had to start over, but keep at it. You will get there soon enough. That 75 is within reach. I know you can do it.

[golfball7773]

Thank you mr. Skynet! moved from an apt to a home and have a new job! I study from 3-5 everyday(starting this last Monday and boss making me put it on my outlook calendar) on the clock and I will take AUD (NTS issue) on April 2nd!

I will get it this year!

In regards to Hotel Accounting, it can get messy 🙂

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Skynet]

golfball7773 – Congrats on the new Job and Home. I'm also glad that your boss is taking an active role and motivating you to pass the CPA exams. You should pass everything this year since changes to the exam will be mid 2017. That should more than serve as motivation to pass.

[golfball7773]

Yep – that is a big motivator. and thanks! just want to be done and won't give up especially if accounting brings me to Hotels!

see what I did there 🙂

FAR: 63, 55, 62
REG: 65, 77*
AUD: Fail, 64, 71
BEC: 72, 74, 81

*expired

[Skynet]

I know what you mean golfball7773. Unlike other people, Accountants at Hotels hang their NTS on the doorknob rather than a tie when they don't want to be disturbed : )

[Oimie]

You're welcome guys for the chatroom 😀

FAR 85 June 2015
AUD 80 Nov 2015
REG 83 Nov 2015
BEC 79 Feb 2016

[Anonymous]

Hey Oimie, if you count auditing hotels as experience, then here are my thoughts. If all you're doing is AP/AR, don't expect the accounting methods to get too adventurous. Key differences you might see are:

– A lot of AP will involve F&B vendors. If you have to deal with inventory, F&B might get tricky.
– AR will be from, as you might imagine, guests primarily. However, a lot of guests book through wholesalers and tour packages, so those will be the big balances.
– Depending on the hotel, they're typically owned by parent companies that may own multiple hotels. Note that this is not necessarily the same as who *manages* the hotels, which could be an agency such as Starwood or Marriott.
– If you're working under the parent company, you may need to deal with consolidating several hotels. If you work at the hotel level, a major concern could be finding ways to squeeze expenses and slim margins. Hotel managers are always looking for ways to improve their performance numbers any way they can. Often, the managing company (e.g. Starwood) will be under an agreement to reach certain performance goals, or be subject to a penalty to the parent company. The parent company may be concerned with meeting performance goals to satisfy debt covenants (debt on hotels can be HUGE).

That's the general overview off the top of my head. I hope that helps. Good luck with your interview!

[Author]

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