CONTROLLER

Department: Finance / Accounting Reports To: Group Controller / Ownership / Senior Management

POSITION SUMMARY

The Controller is responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial operations of the dealership and ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial records and reporting. The Controller provides financial leadership and support to dealership management and works closely with the Group Controller, Ownership, and department managers to monitor financial performance, maintain effective internal controls, manage cash flow, and ensure compliance with applicable accounting, tax, manufacturer, and regulatory requirements.

The Controller is responsible for the dealership's day-to-day accounting operations, including financial reporting, General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, cash management, reconciliations, vehicle inventory accounting, payroll accounting support, budgeting, forecasting, and month-end and year-end closing processes.

The successful candidate is a hands-on accounting professional with strong automotive dealership experience, excellent attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced dealership environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE OF WORK

1. Accounting & Financial Operations

- Oversee the day-to-day accounting and financial operations of the dealership.
- Ensure all financial transactions are accurately recorded and properly supported.
- Manage accounting processes in accordance with established company policies and procedures.
- Monitor accounting activities to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
- Ensure accounting deadlines are consistently met.
- Work closely with the Group Controller and dealership management regarding financial matters.
- Identify accounting issues and recommend appropriate corrective action.
- Maintain organized and accurate financial records.

2. Financial Statements & Reporting

- Prepare and review monthly financial statements and management reports.
- Ensure financial statements are accurate and completed within established deadlines.
- Review dealership financial performance, including:
- Sales
- Gross profit
- Operating expenses
- Departmental performance
- Net income
- Key financial ratios

- Analyze financial results and investigate significant variances.
- Prepare financial reports and analysis for the Group Controller, Ownership, and Senior Management.
- Assist with quarterly and annual financial reporting requirements.
- Ensure month-end closing procedures are completed accurately and on time.

3. General Ledger & Reconciliations

- Maintain and oversee the General Ledger.
- Review and complete monthly account reconciliations.
- Ensure timely reconciliation of:
- Bank accounts
- Balance sheet accounts
- Manufacturer accounts
- Vehicle inventory accounts
- Floorplan accounts
- Parts inventory
- Accounts Receivable
- Accounts Payable
- Other significant accounts

- Investigate and resolve discrepancies.
- Ensure appropriate supporting documentation is maintained.
- Review journal entries and adjustments for accuracy and completeness.

4. Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable

- Oversee Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable activities.
- Ensure vendor invoices are properly coded, approved, recorded, and processed.
- Monitor outstanding Accounts Receivable balances.
- Review aging reports and follow up on overdue accounts.
- Ensure customer and vendor accounts are accurately maintained.
- Coordinate payment requirements with management.
- Maintain appropriate controls over payments and receivables.
- Identify and report significant collection or payment concerns.

5. Cash Management & Banking

- Monitor daily dealership cash balances and cash requirements.
- Prepare or review daily cash reports as required.
- Oversee bank deposits and cash transactions.
- Complete and review bank reconciliations.
- Monitor dealership banking activity.
- Coordinate banking requirements with the Group Controller and financial institutions.
- Monitor cash flow and identify potential short-term cash requirements.
- Maintain appropriate controls over cash receipts, deposits, transfers, and disbursements.

6. Vehicle Inventory & Floorplan Accounting

- Maintain accurate accounting records for new and used vehicle inventory.
- Reconcile vehicle inventory accounts regularly.
- Monitor vehicle purchases, sales, transfers, and adjustments.
- Review floorplan-related accounting and statements.
- Investigate discrepancies between dealership records and manufacturer or floorplan records.
- Monitor aged inventory and related financial implications.
- Ensure vehicle inventory transactions are recorded accurately and promptly.

7. Dealership Departmental Accounting

Monitor and review financial performance across dealership departments, including:

- New Vehicle Sales
- Used Vehicle Sales
- Finance & Insurance
- Service
- Parts
- Administration
- Other dealership operations
- Review departmental expenses and revenues.
- Analyze departmental gross profit and operating performance.
- Investigate significant variances.
- Ensure departmental transactions are properly recorded and allocated.




- Work with department managers to improve financial accuracy and accountability.

8. Manufacturer Accounting

- Maintain accurate manufacturer-related accounting records.
- Reconcile manufacturer statements and accounts.
- Monitor manufacturer incentives, rebates, programs, and related transactions.
- Ensure manufacturer receivables and payables are properly recorded.
- Assist with manufacturer reporting requirements.
- Investigate discrepancies and resolve outstanding manufacturer account issues.
- Maintain knowledge of applicable manufacturer accounting requirements.

9. Budgeting & Forecasting

- Assist the Group Controller and dealership management with annual budgeting.
- Prepare financial forecasts and projections as required.
- Monitor actual financial results against budget and forecast.
- Investigate significant budget variances.
- Provide management with explanations and recommendations.
- Assist with financial planning and business analysis.
- Support preparation of departmental budgets and financial targets.

10. Internal Controls & Financial Risk Management

- Maintain effective financial controls within the dealership.
- Ensure proper authorization and documentation of financial transactions.
- Monitor segregation of duties within accounting functions.
- Safeguard dealership assets and financial information.
- Identify weaknesses in accounting processes and recommend improvements.
- Monitor controls relating to:
- Cash
- Banking
- Vehicle inventory
- Parts inventory
- Vendor payments
- Receivables
- Payroll
- Commissions
- Financial reporting

- Report significant discrepancies, irregularities, or financial risks to the Group Controller or Senior Management.

11. Payroll & Compensation Accounting

- Support payroll accounting and payroll reconciliation processes.
- Coordinate with Human Resources and Payroll regarding employee compensation changes.
- Ensure salary, commission, bonus, and other compensation changes are accurately reflected in accounting records.
- Review payroll-related journal entries and reconciliations.
- Ensure employee benefits and related liabilities are properly recorded.
- Assist with commission and pay-plan accounting.
- Maintain confidentiality of employee compensation and payroll information.

12. Tax & Regulatory Compliance

- Support compliance with applicable accounting and tax requirements.
- Assist with GST/HST and other applicable tax reporting.
- Maintain accurate supporting documentation for tax and regulatory purposes.
- Coordinate tax-related information with external accountants and the Group Controller.
- Monitor accounting practices to ensure compliance with established company policies and applicable requirements.
- Assist with government, manufacturer, and regulatory inquiries as required.

13. Month-End & Year-End Closing

- Coordinate the dealership's month-end closing process.
- Ensure all required transactions and adjustments are recorded.
- Complete account reconciliations within established deadlines.
- Review accruals, prepaid expenses, inventory adjustments, and other month-end entries.
- Prepare supporting schedules for financial reporting.
- Assist with year-end closing procedures.
- Work closely with the Group Controller and external accountants during year-end.

14. Audit & External Accountant Support

- Assist with annual audits, reviews, and other external accounting requirements.
- Prepare schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation requested by external accountants and auditors.
- Respond to accounting and audit inquiries.
- Investigate and resolve audit-related issues.
- Maintain organized audit documentation.
- Implement appropriate recommendations resulting from audits or financial reviews.

15. Accounting Team Leadership

- Supervise and provide direction to accounting staff at the dealership.
- Assign accounting responsibilities and establish appropriate priorities.
- Monitor work quality, accuracy, and completion of assigned duties.
- Train and coach accounting employees.
- Identify training and development needs.
- Promote accountability, professionalism, teamwork, and accuracy.
- Support recruitment and onboarding of accounting employees in coordination with Human Resources and management.
- Address performance concerns appropriately and escalate significant employee issues to the Group Controller and/or Human Resources.

16. Accounting Systems & Process Improvement

- Ensure accounting and dealership management systems are used effectively.
- Maintain accurate financial data within applicable accounting systems.
- Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes and reporting.
- Support accounting system implementations, upgrades, and process changes.
- Work with internal and external system providers to resolve accounting issues.
- Recommend process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy,



and financial controls.
- Support standardization of accounting practices across the dealership group where applicable.

17. Financial Analysis & Management Support

- Provide dealership management with timely financial information and analysis.
- Assist managers in understanding departmental financial results.
- Identify financial trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Provide recommendations to improve financial performance and control costs.
- Support management in evaluating the financial impact of operational decisions.
- Prepare special financial reports and analysis as requested by the Group Controller or Senior Management.

18. Confidentiality

The Controller has access to highly confidential financial, employee, customer, and business information. The Controller is expected to maintain strict confidentiality regarding:

- Financial statements
- Gross profit and profitability
- Banking information
- Cash-flow information
- Employee compensation
- Payroll information
- Customer financial information
- Vendor information
- Business plans
- Inventory information
- Company financial records
- Legal and regulatory matters

Confidential information must only be accessed, used, or disclosed for legitimate business purposes and in accordance with company policies and applicable requirements.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

The Controller is expected to maintain and continuously improve:

- Accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting.
- Month-end closing accuracy and efficiency.
- Account reconciliation accuracy.
- Cash management and banking controls.
- Vehicle inventory accounting accuracy.
- Floorplan reconciliation.
- Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable management.
- Financial control and compliance.
- Budget and forecast accuracy.
- Departmental financial reporting.
- Accounting team performance.
- Audit readiness.
- Accounting process efficiency.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

- Minimum seven (7) years of progressive accounting experience.
- Previous automotive dealership accounting experience is strongly preferred.
- Previous experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, Dealership Controller, or Senior Accountant is preferred.
- Strong understanding of automotive dealership accounting and financial statements.
- Experience with vehicle inventory, floorplan accounting, Parts, Service, Sales, F&I;, and manufacturer accounting.
- Experience managing or supervising accounting personnel.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP/ASPE and financial reporting principles.
- Experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, reconciliations, and internal controls.
- Experience supporting audits and year-end financial reporting.
- CPA designation or progress toward CPA is considered an asset.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

- Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
- Experience with dealership accounting systems such as PBS, CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds, Dealertrack, or similar platforms.
- Experience with accounting systems such as QuickBooks, Sage, or comparable platforms is an asset.
- Strong General Ledger and reconciliation skills.
- Strong financial reporting and analytical capabilities.
- Ability to work with large volumes of financial information accurately and efficiently.

CORE COMPETENCIES

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

- Strong accounting and financial knowledge.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
- Ability to meet strict deadlines.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial employees and managers.
- Strong judgment and decision-making abilities.
- High level of integrity and accountability.
- Robust commitment to confidentiality.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a management team.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced dealership environment.
- Commitment to continuous improvement.

WORKING CONDITIONS

- This position operates in an automotive dealership environment.
- Regular interaction with dealership management, accounting personnel, department managers, employees, manufacturers, banks, vendors, external accountants, and auditors is required.
- The Controller may be required to travel between dealership locations where applicable.
- The position involves regular access to confidential financial and employee information.
- Additional hours may occasionally be required during month-end, year-end, audits, or other critical financial periods.

OTHER DUTIES

This describes the general nature and level of work performed by the Controller and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The Controller may be required to perform other related duties, responsibilities, projects, and assignments as directed by the Group Controller, Ownership, or Senior Management based on business and operational requirements.

The dealership reserves the right to modify duties and responsibilities as business needs evolve.

Supreme Motors is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an accessible recruitment process. Accommodation is available upon request throughout the hiring process.

📌 Controller, Supreme Motors (Mississauga)
🏢 Supreme Motors
📍 Mississauga