As a student, you’re probably thinking of revenue management and finance as one of the same. Categorised as something like “math” or “numbers” in your mind.
But have you considered them as a career option? Probably not.
After all, you started studying in hospitality because you wanted to work with people and have a personal interaction with customers, not to sit behind a desk looking at excel spreadsheets.
I was the same when I was a student. Even though I was good at the “math” and “numbers”, I didn’t see myself doing anything like that.
Or maybe I was never presented this as an opportunity? 🤔
Well, here is your opportunity. I wrote this post so that you know that finance and revenue management are totally feasible options for your future in the hospitality industry.
Finance and revenue management definitions
Finance and revenue management are not the same. Very different in fact.
Their jobs are not all just about excel spreadsheets, there is a whole lot of relationship management and working with people too!
Finance
The key objective of the whole finance department is to track all hotel costs and make sure that the revenue turns into profit.
Revenue management
Revenue is all about selling at the right time, at the right price, to the right client.
Apart from the fact that the two departments deal with money, there aren’t that many similarities.
The differences between finance and revenue management
Overview
Finance: manages the income from all hotel operations.
Revenue: manages only the room revenue of the hotel.
Results
Finance: budgeting and investment decisions for the whole hotel.
Revenue: defines hotel room pricing strategy, in comparison to the market, competition, and other factors that impact room price.
Day-to-day
Finance: accounting and reporting of income, costs, payroll, taxes, etc.
Revenue: sales strategy, inventory management, daily analysis, long term planning and forecasting demand and revenue.
So as you can see, the two departments are very different. Hotel finance is kind of like finance of any other business, while revenue management is unique to hotels.
Learn everything about jobs in the hotel finance department here. I break down all job roles in the finance department of a hotel, from the lowest to highest roles.
My favourite is procurement! Check it out 👆