Hotel Front Office Management, 3rd Edition

264 CHAPTER 10: NIGHT AUDITHOSPITALITY PROFILE?Sheehan is the managing port, which assists in maintaining control over financialadjustments that may seem insignificant but canToddpartner of Lincoln Plaza Hotel& Conference Center in add up over time. The cash deposit report allows himReading, Pennsylvania. Previous to maintain the integrity of banking activity by theto this position, he held supervisory positions in reservations,the controller’s office, banquets, and food which assists him and his sales staff in developinghotel staff. Then there is the 14-day forecast report,and beverage at The Inn at Reading, Wyomissing, yield management actions to address slow periodsPennsylvania, as well the position of general manager and peak periods, with regard to room availabilityof three Hampton Inns located in Reading and Allentown,Pennsylvania, and Flint, Michigan. the housekeeping report, which assists him in gainingand rates. Also included in the night audit report isMr. Sheehan summarizes the night auditor’s role insight into room activity, such as rooms that are outas one that is very important to maintain the financial of order. This report also ensures that each room occupiedhas a credit card responsible for payment. Hesuccess of the hotel. Although this person’s role asnight auditor is routine, his or her efforts to produce uses the guest summary to determine how long gueststhe trial balance provide feedback on each department’sfinancial activities.rect rates have been applied. A detailed restaurantare staying, what company they represent, and if cor-Each morning, Mr. Sheehan looks at the reports report is included, which centers on sales data andthat are included in the night audit. The weekly flash checks these amounts on inventory pars. This reportreport provides a cumulative review of rooms, averagedaily rate, food and beverage counts, banquet made to guest checks as well as a check against thealso reviews the corrections that would have beenbusiness, and so forth. The daily flash report provides banquet business for the day. And finally, he reviewsperiod-to-date and month-to-date financial review of the accounts receivables report to retain control onindividual department cost centers. The trial balance amounts of money that people owe the hotel.report focuses on totals of receivables (how much In summary, Mr. Sheehan indicates, “The nightguests owe the hotel) with regard to front desk, advancedeposits, and checkouts. The revenue report revenues on a daily basis. This effort allows you toaudit report gives you operational tools to maximizeshows more of a breakdown of various revenueproducingcenters. There is also an adjustment re-spot revenue shortages and inefficiencies in sales activities.”mental transactions. Undoubtedly, the more modern method of performing the nightaudit on a PMS will be used, but you should also be familiar with the components upclose and personal.Posting Room and Tax ChargesAfter the night auditor has reviewed any messages from other front office staff, reviewedguests who checked out of the hotel, extended any guest stays, reviewed all roomrates, and printed a variance report, his or her first task is to post room and tax chargesto all accounts. The PMS can easily post room and tax charges to the electronic folios,with the room and tax options.TLFeBOOK