Assistant Controller - Variable Operations

Socket.dev; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 105,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

McDonald Automotive Group is seeking an experienced Assistant Controller – Variable Operations to lead vehicle inventory and sales accounting across our multi-brand dealership group in Colorado. You will partner with Sales Directors and dealership leadership to maintain controls and accurate financial reporting.

The role requires strong dealership accounting experience, leadership skills, and a deep understanding of vehicle-inventory accounting.

Qualifications

• Three years+ dealership accounting experience with GL, reconciliations, month-end close.
• Vehicle inventory accounting and reconciliations experience.
• Strong understanding of dealership sales accounting and variances.
• Experience supervising accounting staff.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Oversee vehicle inventory and sales accounting across multiple dealership locations.
• Lead and develop accounting portfolios serving about 12 locations.
• Coordinate month-end close, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance with company standards and controls.
• Collaborate with Sales Directors and leadership to address issues.

Skills

Dealership accounting

Vehicle inventory

Sales accounting

Leadership

Excel proficiency

Communication

Analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance

CPA or active progress toward CPA

Tools

Tekion

CDK

Job description

Who We Are

As a family-owned and operated company for more than 65 years, McDonald Automotive Group is proud to serve Colorado with a legacy built on respect, integrity, growth, hard work, and trust. With three generations actively involved in our day-to-day operations, we prioritize relationships over transactions—with our customers, community, partners, and employees.

Our motto,Doing Right Comes Naturally, reflects our commitment to conducting business the right way. That commitment has earned recognition from our manufacturer partners, including the Volvo Excellence Award from Volvo Cars, the Magna Society Elite Award from Audi of America, and the President’s Club Award from Mazda North American Operations.

At McDonald Automotive Group, exceptional experiences begin with exceptional people. Many of our team members have spent decades with us, growing their careers and ultimately retiring as part of the McDonald legacy.

About the Role

With nine automotive brands across 13 rooftops, McDonald Automotive Group operates a centralized accounting team from our Volkswagen dealership on Broadway in Littleton.

We are seeking an experiencedAssistant Controller – Variable Operations to provide accounting leadership for vehicle inventory and sales-related financial operations across our dealership group.

Reporting directly to the Senior Controller, this position will oversee four assigned accounting portfolios, each supporting approximately three dealership locations. The Assistant Controller will serve as a primary accounting partner for Sales Directors and dealership leadership, helping resolve operational questions, interpret financial performance, strengthen accounting controls, and maintain consistent practices across the organization.

The ideal candidate brings substantial dealership-accounting experience, a strong understanding of vehicle-inventory accounting, and the ability to lead accounting teams while partnering effectively with sales and operational leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Variable Operations Accounting

• Oversee accounting operations related to vehicle inventory and sales activity across assigned dealership locations.
• Provide leadership and support to four assigned accounting portfolios, each serving approximately three dealerships.
• Serve as a primary accounting resource for Sales Directors and other dealership leaders.
• Review sales-related accounting activity for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with company standards.
• Maintain consistent processing expectations and accounting practices across assigned locations.
• Resolve operational accounting questions and elevate significant financial or control concerns to the Senior Controller.
• Provide backup leadership support to the broader accounting organization as needed.

Vehicle Inventory and Sales Accounting

• Oversee vehicle-inventory accounting, reconciliations, aging, valuation, transfers, and related financial controls.
• Monitor inventory discrepancies and ensure timely investigation and resolution.
• Oversee applicable sales-related accounting processes, including deal posting, deal funding, manufacturer receivables and incentives, floorplan activity, commissions, and related reconciliations.
• Partner with Sales Directors to address accounting issues affecting dealership operations and financial performance.
• Identify unusual transactions, financial risks, process gaps, and opportunities to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Ensure vehicle and sales-related transactions are properly recorded and supported by appropriate documentation.

Month-End Close and Reporting

• Lead and coordinate month-end close activities for assigned dealership locations.
• Review general-ledger entries, account reconciliations, accruals, schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure dealership financial statements and manufacturer reports are accurate, complete, and submitted on schedule.
• Review dealership and departmental P&L statements, balance-sheet accounts, expenses, and material variances.
• Translate financial findings into clear, actionable information for the Senior Controller, Sales Directors, and dealership leadership.
• Support consolidated financial reporting across the dealership group.
• Investigate discrepancies and ensure timely resolution of accounting issues.

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop assigned accounting managers and their supporting teams.
• Establish clear expectations for accuracy, timeliness, workflow, and accountability.
• Provide guidance on vehicle transactions, inventory reconciliations, month-end issues, and operational escalations.
• Support employee development through regular coaching, feedback, and knowledge sharing.
• Promote consistent application of company policies, accounting standards, internal controls, and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate workloads and priorities across multiple accounting portfolios and dealership locations.

Systems, Controls, and Process Improvement

• Ensure dealership accounting systems are configured and used appropriately for vehicle inventory, sales accounting, and financial reporting.
• Identify opportunities to standardize workflows and strengthen accounting controls across assigned dealerships.
• Partner with HR, Payroll, and Accounting to ensure sales compensation, pay-plan changes, and related financial impacts are processed accurately.
• Coordinate and support internal, external, manufacturer, and compliance audits.
• Maintain consistent process documentation, reconciliation standards, and reporting timelines across assigned locations.

Experience and Qualifications

Required

• At least three years of progressive dealership-accounting experience involving general-ledger accounting, reconciliations, month-end close, and financial-statement analysis.
• Direct experience with vehicle-inventory accounting and reconciliation.
• Strong understanding of dealership sales accounting and variable operations.
• Experience reviewing dealership P&L statements, balance-sheet accounts, and financial variances.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, or leading accounting employees.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
• Professional communication skills and the ability to explain financial information to Sales Directors and other operational leaders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead accounting activity across multiple dealership locations and competing priorities.

Preferred

• Previous experience as an Assistant Controller, Dealership Accounting Manager, Senior Accountant, or comparable accounting leader.
• Experience supporting multiple dealership locations or automotive brands.
• Experience with deal posting, deal funding, floorplan accounting, manufacturer receivables, incentives, and sales commissions.
• Experience with Tekion, CDK, or another dealership management system.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• CPA designation or active progress toward CPA licensure.

Why Join McDonald Automotive Group?

• Join a stable, family-owned organization with more than 65 years of Colorado history.
• Assume defined ownership of vehicle-inventory and sales-related accounting across a multi-brand dealership group.
• Partner directly with senior accounting leaders, Sales Directors, and dealership leadership.
• Lead accounting portfolios supporting approximately 12 dealership locations.
• Develop accounting teams and help strengthen financial consistency across the organization.
• Contribute to a company that values integrity, growth, long-term relationships, and doing business the right way.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range for this position is$105,000–$130,000 annually, based on relevant experience, technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and overall alignment with the position.

[Insert approved benefits, bonus eligibility, schedule, and additional compensation information.]

Application Information

This position will remain open for at least three days and will close upon candidate selection.

McDonald Automotive Group is committed to providing equal employment opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please email [e-mail] or call 303-738-4820.