Founded more than 93 years ago, the O’Brien Automotive Family is a dealership group built on integrity, consistency, and longevity. Family values are at the heart of our culture, and we believe our continued success depends on having the right people in the right roles. The Controller role is no exception. We are looking forward to finding the right person to join in carrying that legacy forward for years to come.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly experienced Controller with a background in franchised automotive dealerships to oversee and manage the financial operations for a dealer group consisting of three rooftops. The ideal candidate will have experience in both dealership accounting and operational management, a strong understanding of franchise accounting procedures, and the ability to lead a team. An Accounting degree is preferred.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Office Manager Supervision:
- Oversee and manage the effectiveness and accuracy of office managers at each dealership location (3 total). Ensure office staff of 3–4 employees per location adhere to financial best practices and accurate reporting.
2. Financial Statement Management:
- Verify accuracy and timeliness of monthly financial statements. Establish clear, consistent accounting policies and procedures for all locations. Regularly review GL account balances and trends to identify and address any discrepancies.
- Adhere to GAAP and Manufacturer accounting standards.
3. Cash Management:
- Monitor and maintain the daily flow of cash to ensure all records are accurate and current including daily vehicle floor plan and checking account sweeps.
- Identify discrepancies in pricing, discounts, taxes, or payment methods.
- Create separation of duties or dual oversight in areas prone to fraud. Ensure financial transactions comply with internal policies.
4. Regulatory Compliance / Risk Management
- Ensure dealerships adhere to all relevant laws and regulations including those from the IRS, EPA, OSHA, NHTSA, FTC, Indiana SOS, AG, and others.
- Evaluate, identify, and address potential risks. Employee safety, Data Privacy, Safeguarding NPI, Mitigating cyber events. Develop preventive measures including policies and/or training.
- Maintain dealerships 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 and manage all aspects of the dealership’s tech including hardware, software, networks, and data. Ensure everything works effectively and efficiently
- Be cognizant of all software applications the dealerships utilize with a focus on the dealer management system - CDK/Tekion. Manage the accounting structure and mapping of transactions within these systems.
- Obtain bids for IT support, software, or hardware as contracts expire.
- Work 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 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 Gov’t reporting.
9. Reporting to GMs and Owners:
- Prepare and present monthly reports for General Managers and owners, 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 managers.
- Review accruals, schedules, payroll tax withholdings. Verify accounting staff has detail that balances 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, LIFO entries, and other year-end matters. Ensure all required filings are completed in a timely manner.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting is required.
Experience:
- Minimum 3 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 DMS systems (CDK/Tekion) and related software tools.
Skills & Abilities:
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Strong ability to manage and lead a team.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work 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.
Job Type: Full-time
Base Pay: $150,000.00 - $225,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Automotive or other dealership Controller or CFO: 3 years (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Indianapolis, IN 46240: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
