Dealership Accounting Associate

About the Role

The Dealership Accountant supports the accurate and timely accounting and financial reporting of one or more automotive dealership locations. This position performs a variety of accounting functions in a fast-paced environment with a high volume of transactions, working closely with dealership management, accounting leadership, and other departments to maintain strong financial controls.

Responsibilities

• General Accounting & Financial Reporting
  • Perform daily cash deposit and review cash clearing transactions.
  • Perform daily and monthly general ledger accounting activities.
  • Prepare and post journal entries and accounting adjustments.
  • Reconcile balance sheet and general ledger accounts; investigate outstanding or unusual items.
  • Reconcile credit card transactions and statements.
  • Review dealership transactions for proper accounting treatment, classification, and supporting documentation.
  • Research and resolve accounting discrepancies in a timely manner.
  • Maintain accurate accounting records in accordance with company policies and established accounting practices.
  • Assist accounting leadership with financial statement review and variance analysis.
  • Review schedules for aged, unusual, or unsupported balances.
  • Ensure assigned accounting schedules are accurate, current, and properly supported.
• Vehicle & Deal Accounting
  • Review vehicle sales transactions for completeness and accounting accuracy.
  • Verify vehicle cost, gross profit, commissions, incentives, rebates, and related accounting entries.
  • Reconcile vehicle inventory schedules to the general ledger.
  • Monitor contracts in transit, vehicle receivables, and other deal-related schedules.
  • Research and resolve aged or unusual vehicle inventory items.
  • Assist with dealer trades, inventory transfers, vehicle payoffs, and related transactions.
  • Work with sales and F&I personnel to resolve accounting or documentation issues associated with vehicle transactions.
• Manufacturer & Fixed Operations Accounting
  • Reconcile manufacturer statements, incentive receivables, warranty receivables, and related accounts.
  • Assist with accounting for service, parts, and collision operations.
  • Reconcile parts inventory, work-in-process, warranty, internal repair orders, and other fixed operations schedules as assigned.
  • Work with department managers to research and resolve accounting discrepancies.

Qualifications

• Prior accounting or bookkeeping experience preferred.
• Automotive dealership accounting experience is strongly preferred but not required.
• Strong computer skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with accounting personnel, department managers, and dealership leadership.
• Ability to research discrepancies independently and follow issues through to resolution.

Skills & Competencies

• Accuracy: Produces reliable work and identifies discrepancies before they become larger problems.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of assigned accounts and follows issues through resolution.
• Organization: Effectively manages recurring responsibilities, deadlines, and a high volume of transactions.
• Analytical Ability: Understands how individual transactions affect the general ledger and financial statements.
• Communication: Works effectively with both accounting and operational personnel.
• Problem Solving: Investigates differences rather than simply carrying unresolved balances forward.
• Confidentiality: Handles sensitive financial, customer, and employee information appropriately.
• Teamwork: Supports dealership and accounting personnel while maintaining appropriate financial controls.
• Continuous Improvement: Looks for opportunities to improve accounting processes, accuracy, and efficiency.

Performance Expectations

• Maintain accurate and fully reconciled accounting schedules.
• Complete assigned month-end responsibilities within established deadlines.
• Keep aged and unresolved accounting items to a minimum.
• Communicate accounting issues to management promptly.
• Maintain appropriate documentation supporting account balances and transactions.
• Develop a working understanding of dealership operations and how activity within each department impacts the financial statements.
• Provide responsive and professional support to dealership managers and other members of the accounting team.

Reports to: Office Manager or other designated Accounting Leadership. Works closely with dealership General Managers, department managers, other accounting personnel, and corporate accounting leadership.