USALI 10th VS 11th Edition

UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS
FOR THE LODGING INDUSTRY

(USALI) 10TH VS 11TH EDITION
The Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI)
is the standard for hotel accounting practices. For those who utilize
the USALI, many are on a first-name basis and refer to it as the
“U-Sally”. (Much easier to recite than repeating the letters: U.S.A.L.I.)
Others don’t even call it by name, it is just the “Blue Book”. Back at
the beginning of 2014 everyone was using the “Green Book”, USALI
10th edition; but, in June 2014 there was a new accounting guidebook
in town. It was time to purchase the 11th edition and start working on
updating accounting practices as the go live date, officially known
as the effective date, of January 1, 2015 was quickly approaching.
With its origins dating back to 1926 when it was developed and published by the
Hotel Association of New York City, it has been the go-to guide for accounting and
finance professionals in the lodging industry for years. The current 11th edition was
released in 2014 and with it came several major changes from its predecessor.
It has been the go-to guide for accounting and finance

professionals in the lodging industry for years.
www.hotstats.com Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) 2

The 11th edition was the first to include an effective date. The reasoning, to
encourage everyone to put the new practices in place in a timely manner.
Why was it important for everyone in the industry to start utilizing the new
practices outlined in the 11th edition? There were some major changes in the
new edition which would impact multiple schedules, involved moving revenues
from one place to another and would have a major impact on the way financial
ratios and operating metrics would be calculated. Benchmarking standards
would be amiss without uniformity from one organization to the next.
When it comes to benchmarking, comparability is key! The USALI is very clear

on guidance pertaining to any changes made to the departmental schedules.
Line items may be deleted, but no additions or substitutions are allowed! This
insures consistency of line items from one company to the next. Organizations
want to make sure they are comparing like revenues and expenses and not left
wondering why their numbers are so far off in comparison to their competitors.
When it comes to benchmarking, comparability is key!

One of the key pieces of the USALI 11th edition is the guidance provided on reporting
revenues and expenses for hotels and resorts. Need to know where to record sneeze
guards, it’s in there. Or, what about information technology system expenses introduced
in the 11th edition? It’s in there too! The USALI provides formatting guidelines
and a detailed revenue & expense dictionary for 14 departmental schedules.
Why is it important to put forth these guidelines and set standards for reporting the
various items like sneeze guards, air freshener, model fees and diffusers? For consistency
and comparability purposes. This way, when someone discusses the expense for diffusers
utilized in the Health Club/Spa Department, we know it is recorded in an account
called Ambiance along with expenses such as spa music and aromatherapy oils.
To aide in formatting and researching items, the USALI 11th edition went beyond
the printed pages to provide an online resource page. This resource page, which is
accessible on the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute website, includes
example schedules in Excel format, a revenue & expense guide, industry updates and
a FAQ listing. The FAQ is maintained by the Financial Management Committee of the
America Hotel & Lodging Association and is updated when new questions arise.
There were many changes from the 10th to the 11th edition of the uniform system; therefore,
it would be difficult to list them all. The following are a few of the highlights of the changes.
Need to know where to record sneeze guards, it’s

in there. Or, what about information technology
system expenses introduced in the 11th edition?
It’s in there too! The USALI provides formatting
guidelines and a detailed revenue & expense
dictionary for 14 departmental schedules.

SUMMARY OPERATING STATEMENT
• “Rentals and Other Income” changed to “Miscellaneous Income”
• “Revenue” changed to “Operating Revenue”
• “Total Revenue” changed to “Total Operating Revenue”
• “Information and Telecommunications Systems” added as an “Undistributed
Operating Department”
• “Fixed Charges” changed to “Non-operating Income and Expenses”
• “Net Operating Income” changed to “EBITDA”
• Two Summary Operating Statements for Operators and Owners
ROOMS DEPARTMENT
• Rooms Revenue segmentation was expanded
• Resort Fees were moved to Miscellaneous Income
• Further guidance is provided for mixed-ownership lodging facilities
• Package Revenue allocations and package breakage were addressed in detail
FOOD AND BEVERAGE DEPARTMENT

• Food and Beverage is presented on the same schedule
• Gift Certificate Revenues were addressed in more detail
• The term “Cover” was replaced with “Customer”
MISCELLANEOUS INCOME
• Resort Fees and Package Breakage are recorded in Miscellaneous Income
• G
uidance is provided on Commissions, Business Interruption Insurance, Foreign
Currency Exchange, Unused or Forfeited Gift Certificates and Interest Income

UNDISTRIBUTED DEPARTMENTS
• The Information and Telecommunications Systems Department was created
• N
on-Guest-Related Foreign Currency Exchange Income and Expenses addressed
in further detail
• Sales and Marketing expenses are presented together
• Revenue Management and Catering Sales are reported as Sales and Marketing expenses
• C
ontract Services was added as an expense category on Utilities to incorporate
the cost of energy audits
FINANCIAL RATIOS AND OPERATING METRICS

• Ratios are provided for both Operating and Undistributed Departments
• Key ratios are presented for each department
• A labor cost schedule is provided to detail labor cost data for each department
• Additional utility and waste consumption ratios are provided
The USALI 11th edition took us beyond accounting standards and broadened to include
an extensive listing of financial ratios and operating metrics, added an expanded revenue
and expense guide and provided guidance on gross vs. net reporting. The USALI 11th
edition should be referred to as the guide for hotel finance professionals providing the
tools to record, analyze and benchmark accounting & finance data in detail providing
the knowledge needed to manage the organization’s overall financial picture.
Source:
Hotel Association of New York City. (2014). USALI, 11th ed.

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USALI 10th VS 11th Edition

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UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS

FOR THE LODGING INDUSTRY

It has been the go-to guide for accounting and finance

www.hotstats.com Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) 2

When it comes to benchmarking, comparability is key! The USALI is very clear

When it comes to benchmarking, comparability is key!

www.hotstats.com Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) 3

Need to know where to record sneeze guards, it’s

www.hotstats.com Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) 4

FOOD AND BEVERAGE DEPARTMENT

www.hotstats.com Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) 5

FINANCIAL RATIOS AND OPERATING METRICS

www.hotstats.com Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) 6

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