Opally Logo
Operations

Night Audit

The end-of-day accounting procedure that reconciles all hotel transactions and rolls the business date forward.

Definition

The night audit is a critical daily accounting process typically performed during the overnight shift. It involves reviewing and verifying all financial transactions from the day, posting room charges and taxes, reconciling cash and credit card transactions, checking in-house guest accounts, and generating management reports. The night audit also rolls the hotel's business date forward, making it the operational dividing line between one business day and the next. It ensures financial integrity and provides management with accurate daily performance data.

Why It Matters

The night audit is the backbone of hotel financial accuracy. Without proper reconciliation, errors in charges, payments, and postings compound over time, leading to revenue leakage, guest billing disputes, and inaccurate reporting. The reports generated during the night audit - including occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, and revenue summaries - are essential for management decision-making. A thorough night audit catches discrepancies before they become costly problems.

Best Practices

  • 1Create a detailed night audit checklist to ensure consistency
  • 2Verify all guest postings and correct discrepancies before closing the day
  • 3Reconcile all payment methods including cash, credit cards, and city ledger
  • 4Generate and review key management reports before rolling the date
  • 5Document any anomalies or issues for the morning team to address

How Opally Helps

Opally complements the night audit by handling guest communications during the overnight shift when staffing is minimal. While the night auditor focuses on financial reconciliation, Opally manages incoming guest inquiries via chat, email, and voice - ensuring guests receive instant assistance without interrupting the audit process.

See Also

PMSRevenue ManagementADROccupancy RateRevPARHotel Accounting

Explore More Terms

What is a Night Audit? Hotel Night Audit Process Explained