Automotive Controller

Location: Ventura, CA 93003

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly capable Automotive Controller to lead the finance operations within the automotive sector. This role demands a proactive professional who can oversee all accounting activities, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver insightful financial analysis to support strategic decisions. The Automotive Controller will maintain accurate financial records, manage budgets, and uphold the integrity of the financial reporting process. If you excel in a fast paced environment and have a passion for automotive finance, this is an opportunity to drive excellence and innovation in our organization.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Office Manager Supervision: Supervise the office team to ensure accuracy and efficiency in financial operations. Manage a staff of 5 to 6 employees, ensuring adherence to financial best practices and precise reporting.
• 2. Financial Statement Management: Ensure monthly financial statements are accurate and issued on time. Establish clear, consistent accounting policies and procedures. Regularly review general ledger balances and trends to identify and address discrepancies. Comply with GAAP and Manufacturer accounting standards.
• 3. Cash Management: Monitor daily cash flow to keep records current, including daily vehicle floor plan activity and checking account sweeps. Detect discrepancies in pricing, discounts, taxes, or payment methods. Implement segregation of duties or dual oversight in high risk areas. Ensure transactions conform to internal policies.
• 4. Regulatory Compliance / Risk Management: Ensure dealerships comply with applicable laws and regulations including those from the IRS, EPA, OSHA, NHTSA, FTC, Indiana SOS, AG, and others. Identify and address potential risks. Focus on employee safety, data privacy, safeguarding NPI, and mitigating cyber events. Develop preventive measures including policies or training. Maintain the dealership information security program.
• 5. Insurance Program Management: Secure annual quotes for health, dental, vision, and life insurance policies for dealerships. Provide analysis, recommendations, and a comprehensive breakdown of proposed premiums for employees. Secure and review annual property, liability, cyber, workers compensation, and umbrella insurance proposals. Ensure proper coverage is in place for the dealer group.
• 6. IT Management: Oversee all aspects of the dealership’s technology, including hardware, software, networks, and data. Ensure systems operate effectively and efficiently. Be cognizant of all software applications the dealerships utilize with a focus on the dealer management system Reynolds/Tekion. Manage the accounting structure and mapping of transactions within these systems. Obtain bids for IT support, software, or hardware as contracts expire. Coordinate with involved vendors to manage IT infrastructure and its security.
• 7. Inventory Reconciliations: Oversee the annual parts physical inventories, reconcile the results, and provide recommendations for improvement based on findings. Regularly verify reconciliation with other GL inventory accounts including labor.
• 8. HR Department Oversight: Manage and monitor the HR department’s operations, ensuring compliance with employment laws and dealership policies including the Employee Handbook, Employee Benefits, Audits, Compliance testing, and required government reporting.
• 9. Reporting to GM and Owner: Prepare and present monthly reports for General Manager and owner, including trend analysis, gross margins, finance department comparisons, AR past-due reports, and inventory aging reports. Analyze and propose corrective actions.
• 10. Payroll Management: Verify payroll, taxes, and related reports are accurate and filed on time. Ensure compliance with employee benefits and payroll tax regulations.
• 11. Year-End Compliance and Coordination: Create task list for office manager. Review accruals, payroll tax withholdings. Verify accounting staff has details that balance to every asset and liability account balance. Collaborate with the accounting firm and office managers to complete year-end adjusting entries, compilation reports, tax returns, and other year-end matters. Ensure all required filings are completed in a timely manner.

Qualifications

Education: CPA or a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field is preferred.

Experience: Minimum five years of experience as a Controller in a franchised automotive dealership or related automotive industry experience. Strong understanding of automotive dealership financials, floorplan management, and inventory processes. Experience working with dealer management systems such as CDK or Tekion and related software tools.

Skills & Abilities: Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills. Strong leadership and team management capabilities. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities across multiple locations. Exceptional communication skills with the ability to interact with executives, department heads, and employees at all levels. Expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. In-depth knowledge of accounting principles, taxes, payroll, and regulatory compliance.