Financial Controller Dealership

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly experienced, organized, and results-driven Automotive Controller to lead and oversee the accounting and financial operations of our growing automotive dealership group.

This is a senior management position responsible for overseeing the accounting functions of multiple dealership locations, ensuring accurate financial reporting, maintaining strong internal controls, and managing the daily financial activities of the organization.

The successful candidate must have extensive experience in automotive dealership accounting, including ADP Dealer Services (CDK Global), vehicle deal posting, bank reconciliations, lien management, vehicle payouts, inventory accounting, and multi-location financial management.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who understands dealership operations from beginning to end and can effectively manage an accounting team while maintaining accuracy, efficiency, and accountability across all locations.

This is not simply a financial reporting position. The Controller must have a thorough understanding of daily dealership accounting operations and be capable of managing, supervising, and troubleshooting every aspect of the department.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES1. Vehicle Deal Posting & Dealership Accounting

• Oversee and ensure the accurate and timely posting of all vehicle sales transactions across multiple dealership locations.
• Review and verify complete vehicle deal documentation before final accounting entries are posted.
• Ensure all retail, wholesale, cash, and financed vehicle transactions are accurately recorded.
• Monitor and reconcile vehicle sales, gross profits, commissions, taxes, and associated expenses.
• Review deal jackets to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company policies.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies involving vehicle costs, sales proceeds, trade-ins, financing, and gross profit calculations.
• Ensure all vehicle purchases, sales, and inventory adjustments are properly recorded in the accounting system.
• Monitor outstanding deals and ensure transactions are posted within established company deadlines.
• Work closely with sales managers, finance managers, and general managers to resolve accounting discrepancies.
• Establish consistent deal posting procedures across all dealership locations.

2. Bank Account Management & Reconciliations

• Oversee all company bank accounts across multiple dealership locations and business entities.
• Maintain accurate daily banking records, cash logs, deposit records, and transaction reconciliations.
• Monitor incoming and outgoing funds, including vehicle purchases, vehicle sales, financing proceeds, and operating expenses.
• Ensure all bank accounts are reconciled accurately and within established deadlines.
• Review outstanding deposits, unidentified transactions, bank charges, and discrepancies.
• Monitor cash flow requirements across all locations.
• Oversee wire transfers, ACH payments, checks, and other financial transactions.
• Maintain strict financial controls over company funds and banking activities.
• Ensure all financial transactions are properly documented and approved.
• Provide management with regular updates regarding bank balances, cash positions, and outstanding financial obligations.

3. Vehicle Liens, Loan Payouts & Floorplan Management

• Oversee and maintain accurate records of all vehicle liens, financing obligations, and outstanding loan balances.
• Manage vehicle lien payout procedures to ensure timely and accurate payments to financial institutions.
• Maintain detailed logs of outstanding vehicle payouts and lien releases.
• Monitor and reconcile all vehicle floorplan accounts and financing arrangements.
• Ensure vehicles sold are paid off within required lender timelines.
• Track outstanding titles and lien releases to prevent delays in vehicle transactions.
• Verify lien amounts and payout instructions before payments are processed.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between lender statements, inventory records, and accounting balances.
• Coordinate with banks, lenders, title departments, and dealership management regarding outstanding liens and payouts.
• Maintain accurate reporting of vehicles financed, vehicles paid off, and outstanding floorplan balances.
• Implement procedures to prevent missed payouts, duplicate payments, or unnecessary interest expenses.

4. Vehicle Inventory Accounting & Controls

• Oversee vehicle inventory accounting across all dealership locations.
• Reconcile physical vehicle inventory with accounting records and inventory management systems.
• Monitor vehicle purchases, transfers, sales, and disposals.
• Ensure accurate recording of vehicle acquisition costs, transportation expenses, reconditioning costs, and other inventory-related expenses.
• Monitor inventory aging and investigate discrepancies.
• Reconcile inventory schedules with the general ledger.
• Maintain accurate records of vehicles owned, financed, sold, and awaiting payment.
• Coordinate with dealership management to ensure accurate inventory reporting.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies involving vehicle costs, floorplan balances, and inventory valuations.

5. Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable

• Supervise all accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.
• Ensure vendor invoices are reviewed, approved, and paid within established terms.
• Monitor outstanding customer balances, lender receivables, and other amounts owed to the company.
• Oversee vendor statement reconciliations and payment processing.
• Maintain accurate records of outstanding receivables and payables.
• Investigate and resolve aged balances and discrepancies.
• Establish controls to prevent duplicate payments, unauthorized expenses, and accounting errors.
• Ensure proper documentation and approval of all disbursements.
• Review aging reports regularly and ensure timely collection of outstanding balances.

6. ADP / CDK Accounting System Management

Extensive hands-on experience with ADP Dealer Services / CDK Global is required.

• Manage daily dealership accounting functions within ADP/CDK.
• Ensure all vehicle deals, payments, deposits, journal entries, and financial transactions are properly recorded.
• Review and maintain general ledger accounts and supporting schedules.
• Monitor accounting accuracy and resolve system-related discrepancies.
• Generate and review financial statements, schedules, and management reports.
• Ensure consistent accounting procedures and system usage across all locations.
• Train, supervise, and support accounting personnel in proper system procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting efficiency and reporting accuracy.

7. Financial Reporting & Month-End Closing

• Oversee the preparation of accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Manage the month-end closing process for all dealership locations.
• Ensure all general ledger accounts and supporting schedules are reconciled.
• Review financial results and investigate significant variances.
• Prepare consolidated financial reports for senior management and ownership.
• Monitor dealership profitability, expenses, and operational performance.
• Identify financial risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure financial statements are completed accurately and within established deadlines.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, and financial institutions as required.

8. Multi-Location Accounting Oversight

• Direct and oversee accounting operations for multiple dealership locations.
• Ensure consistent accounting procedures, financial controls, and reporting standards across the organization.
• Monitor the financial performance and accounting accuracy of each location.
• Establish clear deadlines and accountability standards for accounting personnel.
• Conduct regular reviews of dealership accounting processes and financial records.
• Work closely with general managers and senior leadership to resolve operational and financial issues.
• Identify weaknesses in accounting procedures and implement corrective measures.
• Ensure each location follows company policies and financial reporting requirements.

9. Accounting Department Leadership & Management

The Automotive Controller will serve as the head of the accounting department and will be responsible for the performance, accuracy, and efficiency of the entire accounting team.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead, supervise, and manage all accounting department employees.
• Assign responsibilities and establish clear performance expectations.
• Monitor employee productivity, accuracy, and completion of daily responsibilities.
• Train and develop accounting personnel.
• Establish standardized accounting procedures and operating policies.
• Implement daily, weekly, and monthly accounting checklists.
• Ensure deadlines are consistently met.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching.
• Participate in hiring, training, and disciplinary processes when necessary.
• Maintain strong communication between the accounting department, dealership management, and ownership.
• Ensure accountability for financial accuracy and timely completion of all accounting functions.
• Build a highly organized, efficient, and results-oriented accounting department.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum 5–7 years of automotive dealership accounting experience, including significant experience in a Controller or senior accounting management position.
• Mandatory hands-on experience with ADP Dealer Services / CDK Global accounting software.
• Extensive experience posting and reconciling automotive dealership vehicle deals.
• Strong understanding of dealership financial statements and general ledger accounting.
• Proven experience managing multiple bank accounts and performing bank reconciliations.
• Strong knowledge of vehicle liens, loan payouts, floorplan financing, and title-related accounting.
• Experience managing vehicle inventory accounting and reconciliations.
• Experience overseeing accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• Previous experience managing and supervising an accounting department.
• Strong understanding of automotive dealership financial controls and operational procedures.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple locations, competing priorities, and strict deadlines.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team management abilities.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience overseeing accounting operations for multiple dealerships or automotive businesses.
• Experience with high-volume vehicle sales operations.
• Experience implementing accounting procedures and improving operational efficiency.
• Experience working directly with dealership ownership and senior management.
• Accounting degree, CPA designation, or equivalent professional qualifications.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking an individual who:

• Takes complete ownership of the accounting department.
• Understands automotive dealership accounting at an operational level.
• Is comfortable being directly involved in daily accounting activities.
• Can manage employees while holding them accountable for accuracy and deadlines.
• Is proactive in identifying and resolving financial discrepancies.
• Maintains excellent organization and financial recordkeeping.
• Can oversee multiple locations without compromising accuracy or efficiency.
• Understands the importance of timely deal posting, bank reconciliations, lien payouts, and inventory controls.
• Has the leadership skills to build and maintain a strong accounting department.
• Can communicate effectively with senior management and ownership.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on Automotive Controller who can lead the department, establish strong financial controls, and ensure that every transaction is accurately recorded and reconciled.

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

We are a growing automotive organization with multiple locations and a strong focus on operational excellence, financial accountability, and continued expansion.

This position offers the opportunity to play a key leadership role within our organization, work directly with senior management, and take ownership of the accounting operations across multiple locations.

We offer:

• Competitive compensation based on experience.
• Senior management responsibilities.
• Opportunities for professional growth.
• A fast-paced and expanding automotive business environment.
• The opportunity to lead and develop an accounting team.
• A key role in improving financial systems and operational efficiency.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit their resume detailing their automotive dealership accounting experience, previous management responsibilities, and specific experience working with ADP Dealer Services / CDK Global.

IMPORTANT

Previous automotive dealership accounting experience and hands-on ADP/CDK experience are mandatory. Applicants without these qualifications will not be considered.

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics.

Pay: From $80,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person