Controller - North Houston, TX

Element Partners•Tomball, TX

About The Position

The Automotive Controller reports the dealership’s overall financial condition to the dealer or general manager regularly and accurately. The role prepares analyses of sales and expenses to identify potential problem areas and opportunities to improve profitability against monthly and annual forecasts. It oversees financial reporting, accounting practices, cash management, tax and regulatory compliance, insurance, audits, inventory, and the dealership computer system. The Controller also supports department managers with financial and management reports, advises the dealer about financial trends and tax revisions, and works to improve data integrity and reporting throughout the dealership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, or one to two years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
The posting also lists two to four years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
The posting also lists four to ten years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, memos, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations, financial reports, and legal documents.
Ability to write correspondence, routine reports, business correspondence, procedure manuals, and articles or speeches in a prescribed style and format.
Ability to present information effectively in individual and group settings, including to managers, clients, customers, the public, top management, and boards of directors; respond to questions and inquiries or complaints.
Ability to perform arithmetic and financial calculations, compute rates, ratios, and percentages, interpret bar graphs, and apply algebra, geometry, probability, and statistical inference concepts to practical situations.
Ability to follow written, oral, or diagram-based instructions; solve practical problems; interpret technical instructions; and draw valid conclusions from data.

Responsibilities

Prepare a complete monthly financial statement according to dealership guidelines and each manufacturer’s format and deadlines.
Ensure manufacturer accounts, including warranty claims, rebates, interest protection, and co-op advertising, are current and accurate.
Regularly interpret the financial statement and daily operating control (DOC), 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 needs and recommends profitable uses for excess cash.
Direct assessment of depreciation rates for capital assets.
Review the general ledger and scheduled accounts, note unusual entries, and investigate them.
Review reconciliations of general ledger accounts with outside sources, including bank reconciliations, reserve accounts, factory payables, and floor plan payables.
Monitor 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 its 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 work to improve data integrity and information reporting throughout the dealership.
Attend managers’ meetings.
Maintain a professional appearance.
Perform other tasks as assigned.