Accounting Associate

Position Summary

The Dealership Accountant is responsible for supporting the accurate and timely accounting and financial reporting of one or more automotive dealership locations. This position performs a variety of accounting functions, including general ledger maintenance, account reconciliations, vehicle and inventory accounting, cash management, accounts payable and receivable, and month-end closing activities.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with a high volume of transactions. This position works closely with dealership management, accounting leadership, and other departments to maintain strong financial controls and ensure dealership transactions are recorded accurately and timely.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Perform daily cash deposit and reviews 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 and 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.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

Successful individuals in this position demonstrate:

• 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

The Dealership Accountant is expected to:

• 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.

Reporting Relationship

Reports To: Regional Controller or other designated Accounting Leadership

The Dealership Accountant works closely with dealership General Managers, department managers, other accounting personnel, and corporate accounting leadership.