Assistant Controller - Variable Operations

McDonald Automotive•Littleton, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

McDonald Automotive Group, a family-owned company with over 65 years of history, is seeking an experienced Assistant Controller – Variable Operations to lead accounting for vehicle inventory and sales-related financial operations across its multi-brand dealership group. The role is based at the centralized accounting team in Littleton, CO. The Assistant Controller will report to the Senior Controller and oversee four accounting portfolios, each supporting approximately three dealerships. This position is crucial for partnering with Sales Directors and dealership leadership to interpret financial performance, strengthen controls, and ensure consistent accounting practices. The ideal candidate will have significant dealership accounting experience, a strong grasp of vehicle inventory accounting, and the ability to lead teams while collaborating with sales and operational leaders.

Requirements

At least three years of progressive dealership-accounting experience involving general-ledger accounting, reconciliations, month-end close, and financial-statement analysis.
Direct experience with vehicle-inventory accounting and reconciliation.
Strong understanding of dealership sales accounting and variable operations.
Experience reviewing dealership P&L statements, balance-sheet accounts, and financial variances.
Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, or leading accounting employees.
Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
Professional communication skills and the ability to explain financial information to Sales Directors and other operational leaders.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to lead accounting activity across multiple dealership locations and competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience as an Assistant Controller, Dealership Accounting Manager, Senior Accountant, or comparable accounting leader.
Experience supporting multiple dealership locations or automotive brands.
Experience with deal posting, deal funding, floorplan accounting, manufacturer receivables, incentives, and sales commissions.
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

Oversee accounting operations related to vehicle inventory and sales activity across assigned dealership locations.
Provide leadership and support to four assigned accounting portfolios, each serving approximately three dealerships.
Serve as a primary accounting resource for Sales Directors and other dealership leaders.
Review sales-related accounting activity for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with company standards.
Maintain consistent processing expectations and accounting practices across assigned locations.
Resolve operational accounting questions and escalate significant financial or control concerns to the Senior Controller.
Provide backup leadership support to the broader accounting organization as needed.
Oversee vehicle-inventory accounting, reconciliations, aging, valuation, transfers, and related financial controls.
Monitor inventory discrepancies and ensure timely investigation and resolution.
Oversee applicable sales-related accounting processes, including deal posting, deal funding, manufacturer receivables and incentives, commissions, and related reconciliations.
Partner with Sales Directors to address accounting issues affecting dealership operations and financial performance.
Identify unusual transactions, financial risks, process gaps, and opportunities to improve accuracy and efficiency.
Ensure vehicle and sales-related transactions are properly recorded and supported by appropriate documentation.
Lead and coordinate month-end close activities for assigned dealership locations.
Review general-ledger entries, account reconciliations, accruals, schedules, and supporting documentation.
Ensure dealership financial statements and manufacturer reports are accurate, complete, and submitted on schedule.
Review dealership and departmental P&L statements, balance-sheet accounts, expenses, and material variances.
Translate financial findings into clear, actionable information for the Senior Controller, Sales Directors, and dealership leadership.
Support consolidated financial reporting across the dealership group.
Investigate discrepancies and ensure timely resolution of accounting issues.
Lead, coach, and develop assigned accounting managers and their supporting teams.
Establish clear expectations for accuracy, timeliness, workflow, and accountability.
Provide guidance on vehicle transactions, inventory reconciliations, month-end issues, and operational escalations.
Support employee development through regular coaching, feedback, and knowledge sharing.
Promote consistent application of company policies, accounting standards, internal controls, and reporting requirements.
Coordinate workloads and priorities across multiple accounting portfolios and dealership locations.
Ensure dealership accounting systems are configured and used appropriately for vehicle inventory, sales accounting, and financial reporting.
Identify opportunities to standardize workflows and strengthen accounting controls across assigned dealerships.
Partner with HR, Payroll, and Accounting to ensure sales compensation, pay-plan changes, and related financial impacts are processed accurately.
Coordinate and support internal, external, manufacturer, and compliance audits.
Maintain consistent process documentation, reconciliation standards, and reporting timelines across assigned locations.