Controller - Salt Lake City

Element Partners•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

The Automotive Controller reports the dealership’s financial condition to the dealer or general manager regularly and accurately. The role provides sales and expense analyses to identify potential problem areas and opportunities to improve profitability against monthly and annual forecasts. The Controller prepares monthly financial statements according to dealership guidelines and manufacturer formats and deadlines; keeps manufacturer accounts current and accurate; interprets financial statements and daily operating controls; and informs the dealer of developing trends. The position contributes to short- and long-term forecasts and provides department managers with detailed financial and management reports. The role oversees cash management, depreciation assessments, general ledger and account reviews, account reconciliations, tax and regulatory compliance, dealership computer-system utilization, loss reviews and reserves, insurance matters, audits or reviews, and physical inventory. It also supervises office accounting procedures and records, prepares information for the CPA, and continually works to improve data integrity and reporting. The Controller attends managers’ meetings, maintains a professional appearance, and performs other assigned tasks.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, or related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Related experience and/or training; the description lists multiple experience ranges: one to two years, two to four years, and four to ten years.
Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, memos, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, business and professional publications, technical procedures, governmental regulations, financial reports, and legal documents.
Ability to write correspondence, routine reports, business correspondence, procedure manuals, speeches, and articles for publication in prescribed styles and formats.
Ability to present information effectively to individuals and groups, including customers, employees, managers, clients, the general public, top management, and boards of directors; respond to questions and common inquiries or complaints.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic and calculate rates, ratios, percentages, discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, area, circumference, and volume; apply basic algebra and geometry, probability and statistical inference, and related mathematical concepts to practical situations.
Ability to follow written, oral, diagrammatic, and schedule-based instructions and use common-sense reasoning to address problems ranging from standardized situations to problems involving limited standardization, abstract variables, and technical instructions.
Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Responsibilities

Report the dealership’s financial condition to the dealer or general manager regularly and accurately.
Prepare sales and expense analyses that identify potential problem areas and opportunities to improve profitability relative to monthly and annual forecasts.
Prepare complete monthly financial statements according to dealership guidelines and manufacturer formats and deadlines.
Ensure manufacturer accounts, including warranty claims, rebates, interest protection, and co-op advertising, are current and accurate.
Interpret financial statements and daily operating controls regularly and inform the dealer of developing trends.
Participate in preparing short- and long-term dealership financial forecasts.
Provide department managers with detailed financial and management reports.
Maintain a cash management system that forecasts cash funds and recommend profitable uses for excess cash.
Direct assessment of depreciation rates for capital assets.
Review the general ledger and scheduled accounts, identify unusual entries, and investigate them.
Review reconciliations of general ledger accounts with outside sources, including bank, reserve, factory payable, and floor plan payable accounts.
Stay current on tax code revisions and advise the dealer about operational adjustments needed to accommodate them.
Ensure compliance with applicable government finance regulations, including required forms, payroll taxes and deposits, income taxes, and retirement plan records.
Manage the dealership computer system to maximize utilization.
Administer a loss review program and maintain loss reserves for contingent liabilities and trade receivables.
Meet with the dealer to evaluate insurance renewals.
Purchase property and liability insurance.
Prepare and process insurance claims.
Coordinate the annual audit or review and physical inventory.
Ensure office personnel use proper accounting procedures and maintain accurate records and analyses.
Supervise preparation of information for the CPA to minimize audit or review costs.
Continually improve data integrity and information reporting throughout the dealership.
Attend managers’ meetings.
Maintain a professional appearance.
Perform other tasks as assigned.