Travel businesses handle very large gross amounts and keep a small commission from them, and the single most common bookkeeping failure is recording the gross as revenue. Client funds held for a supplier are a liability, commission is earned on travel rather than on booking, and cancellations claw it back. Books built on deposits alone show a business several times its real size, with a bank balance mostly belonging to travellers who have not gone anywhere yet.
Commission, not gross
Revenue is what you keep, not what passes through.
Earned at travel
Recognised on the travel date so cancellations behave.
Client funds visible
Held money never mistaken for working capital.
Overrides accrued
Supplier incentives anticipated rather than discovered.
What we handle
- Commission recorded as revenue, with client funds held as a liability until paid on
- Commission earned at travel date rather than at booking, so cancellations are handled
- Supplier and consortium overrides tracked as they are earned
- Client deposits kept visible so held funds are never mistaken for working capital
- Group and corporate business reported separately from leisure
Common problems we fix
- Gross bookings recorded as revenue, overstating the business enormously
- Client funds spent as operating cash before the supplier is paid
- Commission recognised at booking, then reversed messily on cancellation
- Overrides and incentives arriving with nothing accrued against them
We keep the books. You run the business.
Categorization, reconciliation, month-end close, and clean financial statements — with nothing left for you to chase.
View pricingHow It Works
Free review
We look at how your travel agencies books are set up today.
Fix the structure
Chart of accounts rebuilt around how your industry actually earns and spends.
Catch up
Anything behind gets cleaned up at a fixed quoted price.
Close monthly
Current, reconciled books every month — ready for your CPA.
Travel Agencies — Frequently Asked Questions
Do you understand travel agencies specifically?
+
Do you work in my existing accounting file?
+
Can you help if I am months behind?
+
Related
Bookkeeping built for travel agencies
Book a free consultation and we will tell you what your books need — and what it costs.
- Done-for-you
- Solo or group
- Nationwide
Book Online
Share your details and preferred availability.