USALI 12th Edition - Theory

USALI 12th Edition - Theory

Earn 12 CPE credits in Accounting!

The first edition of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Hotels was published in 1926 by the Hotel Association of New York City. It represented the first successful organized effort to establish a uniform responsibility accounting system for the lodging industry and one of the first such efforts in any industry.

Today we are on the 12th Revised Edition, effective January 1, 2026, of the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). The resulting standardization established by the Uniform System permits internal and external users of financial statements to compare the financial position and operational performance of a particular property with similar types of properties in the lodging industry. Because the USALI is referenced in many industry contracts and documents, there is a need for interested parties to understand the format and terminology as outlined in the 12th Revised Edition.

The information set forth in this Uniform System is based on a consensus of hotel owners, asset managers, hospitality management companies, brand franchising organizations, independent properties, owner-operated hotels, consultants, benchmark reporting firms, academia, and certified public accountants, and is intended to be consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).

After completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the key components of USALI Summary Operating Statements for both operators and owners.
• Recognize the proper methodology for adding and deleting accounts within the USALI framework.
• Identify the three main categories of payroll-related expenses in Schedule 14.
• Identify the correct formula for calculating Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) metrics.
• Recognize the purpose and allocation methods for House Laundry and Staff Dining departments.
• Define various labor cost metrics used to evaluate hotel operational efficiency.
• Identify the four major revenue categories in the Rooms Department schedule.
• Identify the major expense categories in the Rooms Department schedule.
• Recognize the components of the Executive Lounge subschedule and its allocation methodology.
• Identify the key performance indicators used to evaluate the Rooms Department operations.
• Identify the primary revenue segments and expense categories within the Food and Beverage Department schedule.
• Recognize the purpose of the tables used to track Food and Beverage metrics.
• Identify the various pricing and cost metrics used in Food and Beverage analysis.
• Identify the criteria that define Other Operated Departments in the USALI 12th Revised Edition framework.
• Recognize the key components of Schedule 3 for reporting Other Operated Departments.
• Identify the primary metrics used to evaluate Golf operations performance.
• Identify the key performance indicators used to measure Spa and Health Club efficiency.
• Recognize the purpose of the metrics recommended for tracking Parking operations.
• Identify and classify revenue types reported under Miscellaneous Income — Schedule 4.
• Recognize how Miscellaneous Income is reported on a net basis and distinguish it from departmental revenue reporting.
• Identify the key expense categories within the Administrative and General Schedule.
• Recognize the three main categories of costs in the Information and Telecommunications Systems Schedule.
• Identify the primary expense classifications in the Sales and Marketing Schedule.
• Identify the components of the Energy, Water, and Waste Schedule and its related metrics.
• Recognize the purpose of the Property Operation and Maintenance Schedule.
• Distinguish between the different types of Management Fees and Nonoperating Income/Expenses.
• Identify the key components of the Annual Mandatory Brand and Operator Costs Schedule.
• Recognize the primary updates made to financial statements in the USALI 12th Edition.
• Recognize the guidelines for reporting government assistance and wage subsidies.
• Distinguish between principal and agent roles in hotel revenue transactions.
• Identify the criteria for determining embedded leases in service contracts.
• Identify the various types of financial ratios used to evaluate hotel operations.
• Identify the key differences between All-Inclusive and European Plan hotel reporting.
• Recognize the components of Package Revenue in the All-Inclusive reporting model.
• Distinguish between Package and Nonpackage Revenue classifications.
• Identify the four major operating expense categories unique to All-Inclusive properties.
• Identify the specialized performance metrics used to evaluate All-Inclusive operations.
• Recognize the expanded 24-column reporting format used for All-Inclusive schedules.

Additional Information:

• No prerequisite knowledge is required to be successful in this course. Likewise, no advance preparation is required.
• Program Level: Basic
• Delivery Method: QAS Self Study

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