Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) will honor Eileen A. Sarris, CPA, CHAE, as the 2014 CHAE (Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive) of the Year at the HFTP Annual Convention and Tradeshow. With its 31st honoree, the CHAE of the Year honors the individual that scored the highest on the CHAE certification exam in a given year. The Annual Convention and Tradeshow will be held October 22-25 at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans, LA.

Sarris graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a master of accountancy degree. She is a trustee and past-chair of the USF Accounting Circle board of directors and has also served on the USF School of Accountancy Advisory Council.

Sarris is a relative newcomer to the hospitality industry, joining the Field Club, a private yacht and tennis club in Sarasota, Fla., in October 2012. She now serves as the club's CFO. Prior to the Field Club, Sarris was an audit partner with Natherson & Company, P.A., a local Sarasota CPA firm. She has had a 20 year career in public accounting providing audit and tax services to not-for-profit, CIRA and small business organizations.

"I am truly honored to receive the CHAE of the Year Award," said Sarris. "HFTP and its members have been a valuable resource as I learn and grow within the hospitality industry. I have enjoyed meeting and networking with HFTP members and appreciate being able to call on colleagues for advice. I look forward to being more involved in HFTP as I take on the role of secretary for my local HFTP Manasota Chapter."

Acknowledged throughout the industry, the CHAE certification elevates the professionalism of both the recipient and the industry by helping set standards for the field. Over 1,450 hospitality accountants from several countries have been certified since it began in 1981. In 2011, HFTP launched an online practice exam for the CHAE which includes a sampling of actual CHAE exam questions that have been rewritten for examination preparation. The association also completed a four-part online CHAE review course that is still available for viewing on HFTP's web site. HFTP also administers the examination and awards the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP).

About HFTP

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with offices in the EU and Middle East. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP uniquely understands the industry's pressing issues, and assists its stakeholders in finding solutions to their challenges more efficiently than any organization. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. HFTP produces international events throughout the year, including the world's largest hospitality technology tradeshow and conference brand: HITEC. In addition, it oversees the hospitality-specific Pineapplesearch.com® and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI). For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org. For the latest news, visit the HFTP News page at news.hftp.org and the HFTP Connect blog at blog.hftp.org.

Sara Shafer
Public Relations Manager
+1 (512) 249-5333
HFTP

Related