In the fast-paced world of hospitality, where customer service and convenience are paramount, the industry has traditionally focused its technological innovation on the customer-facing aspects of the business. However, a notable shift is underway, with accounting and finance functions within hotels, pubs, and clubs now harnessing technology to enhance efficiency and overall performance. In this article, we explore several key trends in hospitality technology that are reshaping accounting processes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- AI, including cutting-edge developments like Generative AI, is making significant inroads into the world of hospitality accounting.
- Generative AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, exemplify the new wave of technology trends in the hospitality sector.
- Businesses are increasingly realising the potential of AI beyond traditional customer service and content creation, with its ability to facilitate bookkeeping and accounting functions.
- AI can analyse current and historical data, identify market trends, and enhance financial decision-making. It also excels at recognising patterns and anomalies that human analysis might overlook. By automating routine accounting tasks, finance professionals can focus on more strategic activities, fostering better business planning and analysis.
Mobile Applications
- The mobile revolution has reshaped how customers interact with businesses in the hospitality industry, including booking accommodations, comparing prices, and making payments.
- Similarly, mobile applications are transforming back-of-house functions, including accounting and bookkeeping.
- Mobile apps enable accounting personnel to access critical data remotely, providing real-time insights and enhancing collaboration.
Automated Invoicing and Data Extraction
- Invoicing, often a time-consuming task, has seen significant improvements with hospitality technology.
- Invoicing software can import invoices and datasets from multiple sources onto a unified platform, offering seamless access to critical information.
- Automation tools, such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR), convert text from images into machine-coded words. This simplifies data extraction, streamlines accounts payable workflows, and accelerates data analysis.
Data Analytics
- Data plays a pivotal role in modern hospitality businesses, not only for understanding customer preferences but also for enhancing accounting and taxation functions.
- Robust data analysis allows hospitality managers to gain insights from guest surveys and reviews, driving improvements in customer experiences.
- Big data analytics can assess how a business is meeting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across multiple sites or businesses, reducing the time spent gathering information and enabling value-added insights.
- Access to a central data pool aids in risk identification and management, preventing accounting errors and saving valuable resources.
- Data analytics also facilitates tax professionals in evaluating efficiencies, identifying tax-related opportunities, and ensuring accurate tax payments.
In conclusion, the evolving landscape of hospitality accounting is a testament to the industry’s adaptability. As technology reshapes traditional practices, businesses that embrace these trends are well-positioned to thrive. By leveraging AI, mobile applications, automated invoicing, data extraction, and analytics, the hospitality sector can enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and provide more value to both customers and stakeholders. To stay ahead in this dynamic industry, businesses must continue to explore and embrace technological innovations.
We invite you to take action and explore how ETC Finance can transform your financial operations, providing you with the tools and expertise to navigate the modern hospitality landscape with confidence. Let’s embrace technology together and unlock new possibilities for your business. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you thrive in this dynamic industry. Your success is our priority, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
