Motor Trade Accountant

Acs Recruitment Consultancy; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency seeks a Motor Trade Accountant in Peterborough. The successful candidate will lead the Accounts Department, requiring dealership experience and expertise in motor trade finance. Responsibilities include managing daily banking, producing management accounts, and improving financial processes. The role offers a competitive salary of circa £50,000, with potential for long-term career progression as the dealership expands. This is a great opportunity to shape the finance function and influence growth within the company.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Motor Trade Accountant in a dealership environment.
• Ability to produce accurate management accounts and sales reports.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, growing business.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the Accounts Department.
• Ensure full responsibility for daily banking and reconciliations.
• Produce accurate management accounts and VAT returns.

Skills

Motor trade accounting within a dealership

Strong commercial awareness of dealership operations

Experience managing or mentoring accounts staff

Strong VAT and HMRC compliance knowledge

Tools

Catalyst

Xero

Job description

Motor Trade Accountant (Dealership Experience Essential)

Peterborough
Circa £50,000 Basic (DOE)
Full-Time | Permanent
Office-based role | Standard motor trade hours

The Role

We are recruiting on behalf of a growing, multi-site car dealership group in Peterborough, seeking an experienced Motor Trade Accountant to take ownership of the accounts function and help drive the business to its next stage of growth.

This role is not suitable for practice accountants or candidates without dealership experience. You must have prior experience working as an Accountant within a car dealership environment and understand the mechanics of how a dealer operates financially.

The business currently operates 3 sites, with clear plans to grow to 5 sites in the near future and beyond. As such, this role offers genuine scope for progression, including future Finance Director potential for the right individual.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the Accounts Department, overseeing a team of 4
• Bring structure, control, and improved processes to a currently under-managed team
• Full responsibility for daily banking, reconciliations, and cashflow management
• Produce accurate management accounts, weekly and monthly sales reports
• Oversee stocking loans and funding facilities, including settlements, interest, and fees
• Manage and submit VAT returns, including: Margin VAT scheme, VAT qualifying and non-qualifying vehicles
• Maintain strong cost control during business expansion
• Liaise with Directors, General Manager, funders, and external accountants
• Support business growth with commercial insight and financial planning
• Implement improvements to systems, controls, and reporting accuracy

Essential Motor Trade Knowledge (Non-Negotiable)

• Motor trade accounting within a dealership
• Stocking loans / funding platforms
• Margin VAT scheme
• VAT qualifying vs non-qualifying vehicles
• Dealership finance structures and reporting
• How sales, stock, funding, and margin work in a dealer environment
• Candidates without dealership accounting experience will not be considered.

Your Background & Skills

• Proven experience as a Motor Trade Accountant (dealership-based)
• Strong commercial awareness of how a car dealer operates
• Experience managing or mentoring accounts staff
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, growing business
• Able to "roll sleeves up" when required but also think strategically
• Ambitious candidates with Finance Director aspirations highly welcomed

Systems & Technical Requirements

• Catalyst and Xero experience a benefit
• Confident using motor trade funding platforms (e.g. BCA, Alphera, MotoNovo, V12, etc.)
• Strong VAT and HMRC compliance knowledge
• Ability to produce final accounts and support year-end processes

What's On Offer

• Circa £50,000 basic salary (dependent on experience)
• Senior, influential role within the business
• Direct reporting line to Owners and General Manager
• Opportunity to shape the finance function during rapid growth
• Clear long-term progression potential

This is a career-defining opportunity for a true motor trade accountant who wants influence, responsibility, and the chance to grow with a dealership group.

For further details on this Motor Trade Accountant role in Peterborough, please submit your CV to ACS Automotive Recruitment Consultancy.