Controller - North Houston, TX

Element Partners•Tomball, TX

About The Position

The Controller reports the dealership’s financial condition to the dealer or general manager regularly and accurately. The role analyzes sales and expenses to identify potential problems and opportunities to improve profitability against monthly and annual forecasts. The Controller prepares monthly financial statements in accordance with dealership guidelines and manufacturer formats and timelines; monitors manufacturer accounts; interprets financial statements and daily operating controls; and supports financial forecasting and departmental reporting. The position oversees cash management, asset depreciation assessments, general ledger and account reviews, account reconciliations, tax and regulatory compliance, and dealership computer-system utilization. It also administers loss reviews and reserves, evaluates and purchases insurance, processes insurance claims, coordinates audits and physical inventory, and supervises office accounting practices and preparation of CPA materials. The Controller works to improve dealership data integrity and reporting, 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 alternatives of one to two years, two to four years, and four to ten years; it does not specify which alternative applies.
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 top management, public groups, or boards of directors, and respond to questions or inquiries.
Ability to perform arithmetic calculations involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals, rates, ratios, percentages, discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, area, circumference, and volume; apply basic algebra and geometry; and work with probability and statistical inference and plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.
Ability to apply common-sense understanding and solve practical problems, follow written, oral, diagrammed, or scheduled instructions, work with concrete variables, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Responsibilities

Report the dealership’s financial condition regularly and accurately to the dealer or general manager.
Analyze sales and expenses to identify potential problem areas and opportunities to improve profitability relative to 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, 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 recommends profitable uses for excess cash.
Direct assessment of depreciation rates for capital assets.
Review the general ledger and scheduled accounts, investigate unusual entries, and review reconciliations with outside sources, including bank, reserve, factory payable, and floor plan payable accounts.
Monitor tax code revisions and advise the dealer about operational adjustments needed to accommodate them.
Ensure compliance with applicable government finance regulations and required filings and records, including 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; and 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.