How Do I Earn the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) Designation?

You must pass the CHAE Exam to earn the designation. You must complete the application process and include all required materials in order to take the exam.

How Do I Apply to Take the CHAE Exam?

The CHAE Application is available for download and includes detailed information on the application process and the requirements necessary to sit for the exam.

Once I Have Applied, Where do I Take the Exam?

The CHAE exams are available at all HFTP conferences & events. In addition, exams can be taken online or scheduled with a private proxy.

What Does the Exam Cover?

There are 5 sections of the CHAE Exam and each section covers areas of competency:

Basic Accounting
Accounting theory
Accounting flow
General journal entries
Statement preparation

Managerial Accounting
Ratio analysis
Cost-volume-profit analysis
Profit planning
Forecasting
Internal controls

Asset Management
Cash management and analysis
Inventory control
Capital budgeting
Capitalized leases

Tax & Law
Basic partnership & corporate tax
Payroll/tip credit
Depreciation
Deferred tax
Sales taxes and property taxes
Basic innkeepers law
Wage and hour
Credit laws
Basics of contracts
Bankruptcy
Antitrust

Operations
Industry terminology
Yield management
Purchasing cycles and controls

How Do I Prepare for the CHAE Exam?

HFTP offers an excellent CHAE Study Guide for individuals interested in the exam. In addition, there is a CHAE Review Session* that may be attended at HFTP events. The CHAE Review Slides are also available online to HFTP members.
*CHAE Review Session is free to HFTP members and $99 USD to non-HFTP members.

How Much Does The CHAE Certification Cost?

HFTP Members: $295 USD
Non-HFTP Members: $445 USD
In the event you need to take the exam a second time, the fee is $100 USD for HFTP members and $150 for Non-HFTP members.

Once I Have Earned the CHAE designation, How do I Maintain It?

You must maintain 60 Continuing Education Points over the course of 2 years. HFTP offers continuing education at all its conferences and events as well as HFTP chapter events and HFTP online education. Visit the CHAE Policy and Procedures for more information on the maintenance requirements.