Controller

Vaco by Highspring; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Discretionary bonuses

Job summary

An automotive organization is seeking a Controller to oversee accounting operations, manage financial reporting, and enforce internal controls. This hands-on role requires at least 7 years of relevant experience in automotive or dealership accounting, along with leadership skills to guide a multi-location team. Key responsibilities include leading month-end closes, compliance through detailed financial reporting, and providing strategic insights to executive leadership. Competitive compensation package available, including benefits and discretionary bonuses.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience in automotive or dealership accounting.
• Prior experience as a Controller, Accounting Manager, or Assistant Controller.
• Strong understanding of dealership accounting practices and OEM expectations.
• Strong understanding of dealership accounting, OEM expectations, and inventory/floorplan accounting.
• Experience managing multi-entity, multi-location operations.
• Advanced Excel skills; dealership management systems experience (Reynolds & Reynolds, CDK).

Responsibilities

• Lead the month-end close process across all locations.
• Prepare and review monthly GAAP-compliant financial statements.
• Streamline accounting processes and improve reporting efficiency.
• Monitor cash, inventory, and floorplan reconciliation; ensure GAAP-compliant reporting.
• Lead, train, and develop staff across sites; partner with GMs and executives.
• Drive process improvements, scalability, and systemConsolidation across locations.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and lender/OEM reporting; manage audits.

Skills

Detail orientation

Analytical abilities

Leadership

Excellent communication

Advanced Excel skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA preferred

Tools

Reynolds & Reynolds

CDK

Job description

Controller
Location: Fully Onsite
About the Role
A rapidly growing automotive organization is seeking a Controller to oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls across multiple locations. Qualified candidates will have relevant experience in automotive, dealership, or fleet accounting.
The role is hands-on, fast-paced, and requires someone who can manage transactional accounting while also providing strategic financial leadership to operational teams.

Key Responsibilities
Dealership Accounting & Financial Operations

• Lead the month-end close process across all locations.
• Review store-level P&Ls to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Oversee accounting for inventory, floorplan interest, incentives, rebates, holdbacks, and OEM programs.
• Manage accounting for parts, service, and F&I, including warranty receivables and chargebacks.
• Monitor and reconcile cash, inventory, and floorplan lines.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Prepare and review monthly GAAP-compliant financial statements.
• Ensure timely and accurate OEM and regulatory reporting.
• Manage external audits, lender reviews, and OEM audits.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls across all locations.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, train, and develop accounting staff across multiple sites.
• Establish clear performance expectations and enforce accountability.
• Partner with GMs, and executive leadership as a trusted financial advisor.

Process Improvement & Scalability

• Streamline accounting processes and improve reporting efficiency.
• Support acquisitions, integrations, and system conversions.
• Leverage dealership management systems to improve data accuracy and insight.
• Standardize accounting practices across all locations.

Strategic Support

• Provide financial analysis to support pricing, inventory strategy, and working capital management.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Support lender reporting, covenant compliance, and financing activities.
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience with required experience in automotive, fleet, or dealership accounting.
• Prior experience as a Controller, Accounting Manager, or Assistant Controller in a dealership environment.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Dealership accounting practices & OEM expectations
  • Inventory and floorplan accounting
  • Automotive retail KPIs and financial statements
• Experience managing multi-entity, multi-location operations.
• Advanced Excel skills; dealership management system experience (e.g., Reynolds & Reynolds, CDK) strongly preferred.
  

Key Attributes for Success

• Highly detail-oriented with strong analytical abilities.
• Hands-on leader who can balance strategy with execution.
• Thrives under deadlines in a dynamic, retail-driven environment.
• Strong communicator capable of partnering with non-financial leadership.
• Comfortable supporting growth, change, and operational complexity.
  

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.