Lodging Industry

Simplify Your Finances, Focus on Hospitality

The lodging industry faces several unique accounting challenges due to its complex operations, seasonality, regulatory requirements, and customer dynamics. 


Advantage Plus Financial Solutions understands the unique financial challenges of the lodging industry. From fluctuating occupancy rates to complex revenue streams, managing your business's finances can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in.


Our tailored accounting and advisory services help hotels, resorts, and property management  businesses optimize performance, ensure compliance, and plan for sustained growth. We integrate industry-specific tools and proven strategies to simplify your operations and improve profitability.


Lodging Industry Challenges

  • Revenue Recognition

    Multiple Revenue Streams: Hotels and other lodging establishments often generate revenue from various streams, such as room rentals, food and beverage sales, spa services, event hosting, and retail sales. Allocating revenue correctly to each stream is critical.    

  • Cost Allocation

    Shared Costs: Costs like utilities, maintenance, and salaries often apply to multiple revenue-generating areas (e.g., rooms, restaurants, spa). Allocating these costs accurately requires detailed analysis.    

  • Seasonality

    Lodging businesses often experience significant fluctuations in revenue due to seasonal demand. This necessitates careful cash flow management to cover fixed costs during low-revenue periods.

  • Inventory Management

    Perishable Goods: Restaurants and bars within lodging facilities handle perishable goods, requiring efficient   inventory tracking to avoid wastage.    

  • Complex Payroll

    Shift Work: Many lodging employees work irregular hours, shifts, and overtime, requiring accurate payroll systems.    

  • Capital Expenditures & Depeciation

    Lodging businesses often require substantial investments in property, furniture, and equipment, which need to be capitalized and depreciated appropriately over time.

  • Tax Planning

     Occupancy Taxes: Hotels must collect and remit occupancy or lodging taxes, which vary by jurisdiction.      

  • Franchise & Managment Fees

    Franchised properties must account for franchise fees, royalties, and brand management costs, which often involve complex calculations based on revenue or other metrics.

  • Regulatory Compliance

     Health and Safety: Compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations can lead to additional reporting and accounting requirements.   

  • Performance Tracking

    Metrics like RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room), ADR (Average Daily Rate), and Occupancy Rate are crucial for financial analysis but require robust data integration across departments.

  • Loyalty Programs

    Managing loyalty programs, tracking points, and recognizing related revenue or liabilities require specialized accounting practices.

  • Reporting & Reconciliations

    Lodging establishments require specific industry reporting criteria, supported by timely and accurate account reconciliations to ensure accurate financial data for enhanced decision making.

For more details on outsourced solutions for the Lodging industry download our brochure.

How We Can Help

Improved Cash Flow

  • Outsourcing provides expert analysis for better cash flow forecasting, especially crucial for managing the seasonal fluctuations common in the lodging industry.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

With outsourced services, hotels or resorts can benefit from detailed financial reporting that's tailored to the nuances of the lodging business, like revenue per available room (RevPAR) or occupancy rates.

Cost Controls

Outsourcing can lead to significant savings on labor costs associated with an in-house accounting department.

Tax Strategy and Compliance

  • Outsourced tax planning can ensure compliance while identifying opportunities for tax savings, like utilizing energy credits, understanding tourism taxes, or managing sales tax on room rates effectively.

Strategic Advisory

  • CFO advisory services can guide property owners or management in evaluating the financial viability of expanding their network, renovating existing properties, or investing in new technology.


Expense Optimization

Outsourced experts analyze and categorize expenses in detail, identifying inefficiencies or overpayments, particularly in areas like utilities, maintenance, or supply costs, leading to significant reductions in operational expenses.