Night Auditor Job Description
Night auditors audit financial records and transactions from the previous day’s business and manage all operations during overnight shifts. Hotels, motels, and resorts hire night auditors for part- and full-time hours in office and front desk environments. Night auditors work independently with little to no supervision, and report to the day manager at the end of their nightly shifts. Travel is not required for this job, as night auditors perform their duties within the establishment itself.
Night Auditor Duties and Responsibilities
A night auditor’s duties vary based on the amount of business conducted in the hotel the day before, the number of late-night guest check-ins, and the number of phone calls and incidents that occur overnight. These core tasks, however, are common in most environments:
Manage Check-Ins
Night auditors manage guest check-ins, processing paperwork and payment as needed.
Perform Nightly Accounting
Night auditors process financial records from the day shift. They also create spreadsheets and other records showing all financial transactions to ensure balances are accurate. This includes auditing front desk cash registers, food and beverage areas, and other parts of the hotel. Any discrepancies between financial reports and cash register amounts must be logged.
Address Staff and Guest Requests
Night auditors respond to all complaints and requests as needed to satisfy guest problems. In addition, they respond to radio calls from nighttime staff members and assist them with issues. They also answer and route phones calls as they come in.
Follow and Review Night Audit Checklist
Night auditors complete and review all items on the night audit checklist, which is a log of all tasks that must be performed nightly.
Prepare for Breakfast Service
Night auditors prepare the dining area for the upcoming morning breakfast service.
Perform Nightly Backup
Night auditors perform backup procedures on the computer server to store all the day’s data.
Balance Guest Transactions
Night auditors analyze all guest charges incurred during the day and add these charges to guest bills.
Night Auditor Skills and Qualifications
Night auditors use analytical thinking to audit all transactions from the day’s business and add charges to guest accounts. They also provide customer service to all hotel guests. Employers seek night auditors with the following skills:
- Computer skills – night auditors use multiple software programs and digital cash register systems to perform nightly audits, which requires good computer skills
- Physical fitness – night auditors need the physical ability to stand for long hours at a time
- Communication skills – night auditors use strong verbal and written communication skills to greet guests, answer phones, and speak with staff members, and to write detailed nightly reports
- Customer service – night auditors address all guest complaints and requests, and check-in guests who arrive at the hotel overnight, all tasks that require excellent customer service
- Analytical thinking – night auditors use analytical skills to carefully analyze financial records and audit cash registers
- Problem-solving skills – night auditors manage all problems and issues as they arise with guests and staff members, which requires a talent for problem-solving
- Mathematics – night auditors calculate guest expenses, balance registers, and audit the day’s accounts, all of which require excellent math skills
Night Auditor Education and Training
Most employers require night auditors to have a high school diploma or GED at minimum. Candidates who have an associate’s degree in hospitality, business, or a similar field, or past work experience in the hospitality industry, stand out to employers above those with less education or experience. However, some employers do hire night auditors on an entry-level basis.
Training is provided to night auditors, the length of which varies based on the employer and the amount of experience and education the trainee already possesses. While in training, night auditors work closely with a senior member of the management team to learn their nightly work tasks.
Night Auditor Salary and Outlook
According to PayScale, night auditors earn $10.77 in median hourly income. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows that bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks (including night auditors) earn $18.87 hourly and $39,240 annually. The BLS predicts this job field will experience little to no growth through 2026.
The majority of employers do not provide benefits to night auditors, though basic healthcare coverage is sometimes offered. Full-time night auditors typically receive paid holidays and vacation leave, and some employers may provide discounts on hotel services and meals.
Helpful Resources
Explore these books and websites to find practical tips and strategies for night auditors who want to succeed at their chosen career:
Accounting: The Ultimate Guide to Accounting for Beginners – Learn Basic Accounting Principles – learn the fundamentals of financial accounting with the tips in this book, which covers basic accounting concepts such as financial terminology, using accounting software, and analyzing financial records
The Institute of Internal Auditors – discover certification programs and other educational resources at this website designed for auditors of all types
100 Tips for Hoteliers: What Every Successful Hotel Professional Needs to Know and Do – written by a hospitality expert, this book contains dozens of practical tips for professionals who work in hotel environments
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals – explore events, news updates, webinars, and career development resources for all professionals who work with hospitality finances at this website
Night Auditor Red-Hot Career Guide – find the best ways to answer interview questions commonly posed to night auditors with this book, which provides strategies for getting the job and doing it well
American Hotel & Lodging Association – career information, certification courses, and other resources for all hotel professionals are provided at the AHLA website
Night Auditor Resume Help
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