The best accounting software for hostels and backpackers.
Hostels take lots of small payments in cash, card and mobile money. Reconciliation and a simple P&L matter more than complex reports. Here is what to look for, and how Tivuzo does it as part of one back office.
The best accounting software for hostels and backpackers covers ledgers, guest and company invoices, supplier bills, VAT, bank and mobile money reconciliation and departmental reports, and handles what is specific to hostels and backpackers: many small payments reconciled; bar as its own department; tour commissions as income; monthly p&l. It should share one database with the rest of the back office so nothing is typed twice. Tivuzo includes it with the PMS, POS, procurement, stores and accounting for $13 per user per month.
What hostels and backpackers need
Hostels take lots of small payments in cash, card and mobile money. Reconciliation and a simple P&L matter more than complex reports.
- Many small payments reconciled
- Bar as its own department
- Tour commissions as income
- Monthly P&L
The full checklist
Beyond the specifics above, any accounting software for a hostel should have:
| Must have | In Tivuzo |
|---|---|
| Revenue posted nightly from the PMS | ✓ |
| Company and agent invoices with terms and ageing (city ledger) | ✓ |
| Supplier bills matched to deliveries | ✓ |
| VAT per room type, meal plan and item | ✓ |
| Bank and mobile money statement import and matching | ✓ |
| Profit and loss by department with analytic accounts | ✓ |
| General ledger, trial balance and balance sheet | ✓ |
| Shares data with the rest of the back office | ✓ One database: PMS, POS, procurement, stores, accounting |
Why it should be part of one system
When accounting is joined to the PMS, POS and stores, revenue, payments, purchases and stock movements post as they happen, so month-end is checking, not typing. Read one system vs separate systems.
What it costs a hostel
At a typical hostel the people who log in are the manager, reception and a bar or kitchen lead: 3 users, $39 a month or $374.40 a year, with every module included. See pricing.
Read more
The module in detail: hotel accounting software. For hostels and backpackers: hostel software, and pms, procurement, inventory and stores, restaurant and bar pos. Accounting for hotels, lodges, safari and tented camps, guest houses and B&Bs, serviced apartments. Guides: Hotel month-end close, Best hotel accounting software, Cost per occupied room.
Accounting for hostels and backpackers: questions
How should a hostel record tour commissions?
As other income when you sell a tour for an operator, or as revenue and cost if you run it yourself.
Is accounting included in Tivuzo's price?
Yes. Every module is included for $13 per user per month; there are no add-ons and no fees per room.
Does Tivuzo work for small hostels and backpackers?
Yes. A hostel pays only for the people who log in; switch on modules as you need them.
Does Tivuzo work with weak internet?
The restaurant and bar tills sell offline and sync later; the rest needs a connection, and light use works on mobile data.
What does Tivuzo not do yet?
No live channel manager, booking engine, door-lock integration, payroll or country e-invoicing links.
Last updated by the Tivuzo team.