Assistant Controller - Fixed Operations

McDonald Automotive•Littleton, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

McDonald Automotive Group, a family-owned and operated company with over 65 years of history, is seeking an experienced Assistant Controller – Fixed Operations to join their centralized accounting team. This role will provide accounting leadership across a diverse portfolio including dealership real estate, accounts receivable, accounts payable, collision operations, wholesale auto parts, and insurance-related entities. Reporting to the Senior Controller, the Assistant Controller will partner with operational leaders to interpret financial performance, resolve accounting questions, strengthen financial controls, and maintain consistent accounting practices. The ideal candidate will possess strong accounting fundamentals combined with experience in inventory, P&L analysis, property/real-estate accounting, team leadership, and operational business partnership.

Requirements

At least three years of progressive accounting experience involving general-ledger accounting, reconciliations, month-end close, and financial-statement analysis.
Experience analyzing P&L performance and communicating financial results to operational leaders.
Experience with inventory accounting, reconciliation, and financial controls.
Experience with property, real-estate, fixed-asset, or capital-expenditure accounting.
Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, or leading accounting employees.
Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
Professional communication skills and the ability to explain financial information to non-accounting leaders.
Ability to balance hands-on accounting responsibilities with team leadership and operational oversight.

Nice To Haves

Automotive retail or dealership accounting experience.
Experience supporting service, parts, collision, wholesale auto-parts, insurance, or comparable operations.
Previous experience as an Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Senior Accountant, or comparable accounting leader.
Experience with Tekion, CDK, or another dealership management system.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
CPA designation or active progress toward CPA licensure.

Responsibilities

Provide accounting oversight for assigned real-estate entities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, collision operations, wholesale auto-parts, and insurance-related entities.
Serve as a primary accounting resource for Service Managers, Parts Managers, collision leadership, and other operational partners.
Review departmental and entity-level P&L statements, expenses, accruals, and material variances.
Translate financial results into clear, actionable information for operational leaders.
Identify financial risks, unusual trends, control gaps, and opportunities to improve business performance.
Maintain consistent processing standards and accounting practices across assigned operations.
Provide backup leadership support to the broader accounting organization as needed.
Oversee accounting controls and reconciliation processes for parts, collision, wholesale auto-parts, and other assigned inventories.
Review inventory adjustments, aging, reserves, obsolescence, write-offs, and reconciliation discrepancies.
Partner with operational leaders to strengthen inventory accuracy and reduce financial exposure.
Oversee accounting related to dealership real estate, property, fixed assets, capital expenditures, depreciation, and associated reconciliations.
Maintain accurate financial records and documentation for property-related transactions and assigned assets.
Support reporting and compliance requirements involving real estate, property, inventory, and insurance-related entities.
Lead and coordinate month-end close activities for assigned departments, operations, and entities.
Review general-ledger activity, journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and supporting documentation.
Ensure financial statements and management reports are accurate, complete, and submitted on schedule.
Analyze P&L and balance-sheet variances and communicate relevant findings to the Senior Controller and operational leadership.
Support consolidated financial reporting and other organizational reporting requirements.
Investigate discrepancies and ensure timely resolution of accounting issues.
Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to assigned accounting managers and supporting team members.
Establish clear expectations for accuracy, timeliness, workflow, and accountability.
Guide employees through complex transactions, reconciliations, month-end issues, and operational escalations.
Support employee development through regular coaching, feedback, and knowledge sharing.
Reinforce consistent application of company policies, accounting standards, internal controls, and documentation requirements.
Ensure accounting systems are configured and used appropriately for assigned operations and entities.
Evaluate workflows and implement improvements that strengthen accuracy, timeliness, consistency, and accountability.
Partner with HR, Payroll, and Accounting to ensure compensation and operational changes are reflected accurately.
Coordinate and support internal, external, manufacturer, insurance, and compliance audits as required.
Maintain consistent process documentation, reconciliation standards, and reporting timelines.