Financial Controller

The Financial Controller role at Arrive N Drive is an onsite, multi-location leadership position responsible for dealership accounting operations, internal controls, and month-end close. This position includes hands-on oversight of daily financial activity across vehicle sales, banking, liens, inventory accounting, and financial reporting, with required experience using ADP Dealer Services and CDK Global.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee accurate and timely posting of all vehicle sales transactions across multiple dealership locations.
• Review and verify complete vehicle deal documentation before final accounting entries are posted.
• Ensure retail, wholesale, cash, and financed vehicle transactions are recorded correctly.
• Monitor and reconcile vehicle sales, gross profit, commissions, taxes, and related expenses.
• Review deal jackets for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with company policies.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies involving vehicle costs, sales proceeds, trade-ins, financing, and gross profit calculations.
• Ensure vehicle purchases, sales, and inventory adjustments are properly recorded in the accounting system.
• Monitor outstanding deals and ensure transactions are posted within established company deadlines.
• Collaborate with sales managers, finance managers, and general managers to resolve accounting discrepancies and maintain consistent deal posting procedures.

• Oversee company bank accounts across multiple dealership locations and business entities.
• Maintain daily banking records, cash logs, deposit records, and transaction reconciliations.
• Monitor incoming and outgoing funds, including vehicle purchases, vehicle sales, financing proceeds, and operating expenses.
• Ensure bank accounts are reconciled accurately and within established deadlines.
• Review outstanding deposits, unidentified transactions, bank charges, and related discrepancies.
• Monitor cash flow needs across all locations and oversee wire transfers, ACH payments, checks, and other financial transactions.
• Maintain strict financial controls, including documentation and approval of disbursements.
• Provide management with regular updates on bank balances, cash positions, and outstanding financial obligations.

• Maintain accurate records of vehicle liens, financing obligations, and outstanding loan balances.
• Oversee lien payout procedures and ensure timely, accurate payments to financial institutions.
• Maintain logs of outstanding vehicle payouts and lien releases.
• Monitor and reconcile vehicle floorplan accounts and financing arrangements, including ensuring vehicles sold are paid off within lender timelines.
• Verify lien amounts and payout instructions before processing payments, and investigate discrepancies between lender statements, inventory records, and accounting balances.
• Coordinate with banks, lenders, title departments, and dealership management regarding outstanding liens and payouts.
• Implement procedures that help prevent missed payouts, duplicate payments, and unnecessary interest expenses.

• Oversee vehicle inventory accounting across all dealership locations, including reconciling physical inventory with accounting records and inventory management systems.
• Monitor purchases, transfers, sales, and disposals, and ensure acquisition costs, transportation expenses, reconditioning costs, and other inventory expenses are recorded accurately.
• Monitor inventory aging, investigate discrepancies, and reconcile inventory schedules with the general ledger.
• Maintain records of vehicles owned, financed, sold, and awaiting payment, and coordinate with dealership management on inventory reporting.
• Supervise accounts payable and accounts receivable, including ensuring vendor invoices are reviewed, approved, and paid within established terms.
• Monitor customer balances, lender receivables, and other amounts owed, including vendor statement reconciliations and payment processing.
• Investigate aged balances and discrepancies, and establish controls to prevent duplicate payments, unauthorized expenses, and accounting errors.
• Review aging reports regularly to support timely collection of outstanding balances.

• Manage daily dealership accounting functions within ADP/CDK systems, ensuring deal records, payments, deposits, journal entries, and financial transactions are properly captured.
• Review and maintain general ledger accounts and supporting schedules, monitor accounting accuracy, and resolve system-related discrepancies.
• Generate and review financial statements, schedules, and management reports, ensuring consistent accounting procedures across locations.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statement preparation and manage month-end close for all dealership locations.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts and supporting schedules, review financial results, investigate variances, and prepare consolidated financial reports for senior management and ownership.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning, and coordinate with external accountants, auditors, and financial institutions as required.

• Direct and oversee accounting operations for multiple dealership locations with consistent controls, standards, and reporting requirements.
• Establish clear deadlines and accountability for accounting personnel and conduct regular reviews of dealership accounting processes and financial records.
• Lead and manage all accounting department employees, including assigning responsibilities, setting performance expectations, monitoring productivity and accuracy, and supporting daily checklist completion.
• Train and develop accounting personnel, establish standardized accounting procedures, and conduct performance evaluations and coaching.
• Participate in hiring, training, and disciplinary processes when necessary, while maintaining strong communication between accounting, dealership management, and ownership.
• Maintain accountability for financial accuracy and timely completion of all accounting functions.

Requirements

• Minimum 5–7 years of automotive dealership accounting experience, including significant experience in a Controller or senior accounting management role.
• Mandatory hands-on experience with ADP Dealer Services / CDK Global accounting software.
• Extensive experience posting and reconciling automotive dealership vehicle deals.
• Strong understanding of dealership financial statements and general ledger accounting.
• Proven experience managing multiple bank accounts and performing bank reconciliations.
• Strong knowledge of vehicle liens, loan payouts, floorplan financing, and title-related accounting.
• Experience managing vehicle inventory accounting and reconciliations.
• Experience overseeing accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• Previous experience managing and supervising an accounting department.
• Strong understanding of automotive dealership financial controls and operational procedures.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple locations, competing priorities, and strict deadlines.
• Strong leadership, communication, and team management abilities.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail.

Tools and Technologies

• ADP Dealer Services
• CDK Global
• Microsoft Excel

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience overseeing accounting operations for multiple dealerships or automotive businesses.
• Experience with high-volume vehicle sales operations.
• Experience implementing accounting procedures and improving operational efficiency.
• Experience working directly with dealership ownership and senior management.
• Accounting degree, CPA designation, or equivalent professional qualifications.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation based on experience.
• Opportunities for professional growth.
• A fast-paced and expanding automotive business environment.
• The opportunity to lead and develop an accounting team.
• A key role in improving financial systems and operational efficiency.

Role Details

• Location: Aurora, IL (onsite)
• Compensation: USD 65,000 per year
• Experience: Minimum 5 years