Automotive Controller - San Bruno, CA

Element Partners; San Bruno (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Employee discounts on vehicles, parts,

service

Job summary

Element Recruiters is partnering with a Bay Area automotive dealership to hire a hands-on Controller who owns the numbers and partners with leadership. You will close monthly and yearly statements, manage reconciliations, and deliver clear reporting to the GM and ownership.

The role requires advanced Excel skills, CA payroll knowledge, and experience with major dealership DMS systems. The candidate will lead the accounting office, oversee deal funding and floorplan payoffs, and ensure compliance

Qualifications

• 3+ years as a Controller or Assistant Controller at a franchised new-car dealership.
• Honda/Acura experience is a significant plus.
• Familiarity with California payroll, sales tax, and DMV compliance.
• Advanced Excel skills and deadline-driven approach.

Responsibilities

• Own full month-end and year-end close with Honda factory statements.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations and schedules; manage receivables/inventory/floorplan.
• Deliver financial reporting to GM and ownership, highlighting trends and risks.
• Lead and develop the accounting office team (AP, AR, payroll, title/DMV, cashiering, billing).
• Oversee deal posting, funding, CIT follow-up, and floorplan payoffs.
• Ensure internal controls and coordinate audits/tax filings.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

CDK

Reynolds & Reynolds

Dealertrack

Tekion

Job description

San Bruno, United States | Posted on 09/10/2026

About the Opportunity

Element Recruiters is partnering with one of the Bay Area's largest and most respected Import dealerships to find its next Controller. This is a high-volume, well-capitalized franchise store with a strong reputation, a stable leadership team, and an accounting office that runs on precision.

The dealership needs a hands-on financial leader who owns the numbers, keeps the office sharp, and serves as a trusted partner to the General Manager and ownership. If you know how a dealership actually makes money, can close a month on time without drama, and take pride in a clean factory statement, this is a role where you'll be valued and supported.

What You'll Do

• Own the full month-end and year-end close, delivering an accurate, on-time Honda factory financial statement
  
• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations and schedules, including contracts in transit, receivables, inventory, and floorplan
  
• Deliver clear financial reporting and analysis to the GM and ownership, highlighting trends, risks, and opportunities by department
  

Accounting Operations

• Lead and develop the accounting office team (AP, AR, payroll, title/DMV, cashiering, and billing)
  
• Oversee deal posting, funding, and CIT follow-up to keep cash moving
  
• Manage floorplan reconciliation and payoffs, vehicle inventory control, and parts/service inventory reconciliations
  
• Supervise payroll processing, including commission and bonus plans for sales and fixed ops
  

Controls & Compliance

• Maintain strong internal controls and safeguard dealership assets
  
• Coordinate with outside CPAs on audits, tax filings, and year-end work
  
• Ensure compliance with California sales tax, DMV, and labor requirements, as well as manufacturer and lender guidelines
  
• Support factory and lender audits and resolve findings promptly
  

Business Partnership

• Partner with department managers on budgeting, forecasting, and expense control
  
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, cash flow, and office efficiency
  
• Serve as a steady, trusted advisor to dealership leadership
  

What You Bring

• 3+ years as a Controller or Assistant Controller at a franchised new-car dealership (high-volume experience strongly preferred)
  
• Proven ability to prepare and close a manufacturer financial statement; Honda/Acura experience is a significant plus
  
• Strong working knowledge of a major dealership DMS (CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds, Dealertrack, or Tekion)
  
• Deep understanding of dealership accounting, including F&I, floorplan, CIT, and fixed ops
  
• Experience leading and developing an accounting office team
  
• Familiarity with California payroll, sales tax, and DMV compliance
  
• Advanced Excel skills and a detail-driven, deadline-focused approach
  
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance preferred; equivalent dealership experience considered. CPA not required.
  

What's Offered

• Competitive base salary plus performance-based bonus
  
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  
• 401(k) with company match
  
• Paid time off and holidays
  
• Employee discounts on vehicles, parts, and service
  
• Stable, established organization with long-term growth potential
  
• Supportive ownership that values its accounting team