Master Account
A Master Account is a central billing arrangement commonly used in event planning and hotel management. It's like a main tab that covers all event-related expenses in one place. When planning large events or conferences, instead of having individual guests or departments pay separately, all charges (such as room costs, catering, meeting spaces, and equipment rentals) are collected under this single account. This makes tracking expenses and final billing much simpler for both the event planner and the venue.
Examples in Resumes
Managed Master Account billing for corporate conferences with 500+ attendees
Coordinated with hotels to set up Master Account arrangements for multiple international events
Reconciled Master Account charges and created detailed expense reports for client events
Typical job title: "Event Planners"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Event Planners
Professional Associations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle discrepancies in Master Account billing for large international events?
Expected Answer: A senior event planner should explain their process for pre-event billing review, maintaining detailed documentation of all charges, regular reconciliation throughout the event, and their approach to resolving billing disputes with venues and vendors.
Q: Describe a challenging situation involving a Master Account that you successfully resolved.
Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate experience with complex billing situations, problem-solving skills, and ability to maintain good relationships with both clients and vendors while resolving financial issues.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What information do you need to set up a Master Account for a corporate event?
Expected Answer: Should mention gathering credit authorization forms, determining billing privileges, establishing clear payment terms, identifying authorized signers, and creating a detailed list of allowable charges.
Q: How do you track and categorize different expenses within a Master Account?
Expected Answer: Should discuss methods for organizing charges by department or category, daily review processes, and systems used to maintain accurate records of all expenses.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is a Master Account and why is it important in event planning?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that it's a centralized billing system for events and understand its basic purpose in simplifying payment processes for large groups.
Q: What types of charges typically go on a Master Account?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list common charges like room rates, meeting space rental, food and beverage, audio-visual equipment, and understand basic billing categories.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of hotel billing systems
- Ability to review basic Master Account charges
- Knowledge of standard event expenses
- Basic budget tracking
Mid (2-5 years)
- Master Account setup and management
- Expense tracking and categorization
- Billing dispute resolution
- Budget forecasting and reconciliation
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex international billing management
- Strategic budget planning
- Vendor contract negotiation
- Team training on billing procedures
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with group billing or hotel master accounts
- Lack of attention to financial details
- Poor understanding of payment terms and credit procedures
- No experience with expense tracking software
- Unable to explain basic billing reconciliation processes
Related Terms
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