Automotive Group CFO/Corporate Controller

Chief Financial Officer / Group Controller

Multi‑Franchise Automotive Group

Southern California

Confidential Executive Search
High Accountability | High Standards | High Trust

We are seeking a true automotive accounting leader to take command of the financial operations for a growing multi‑rooftop dealership group in Southern California.

This is not a “keep the lights on” Controller role.
This is a senior leadership seat for a highly disciplined, highly capable executive who can build structure, enforce accountability, and deliver clean, timely, trustworthy financials across multiple dealerships.

If you are the kind of person who thrives on precision, control, speed, and operational excellence — and you know how to lead a dealership accounting office with authority and credibility — this is a rare opportunity.

About the Opportunity

This role will oversee the accounting and business office functions for a multi‑franchise dealer group operating on two DMS platforms: CDK and Lightyear.

You will be expected to create and maintain a financial operation that is:

• Accurate
• Organized
• Timely
• Audit‑ready
• Operationally disciplined

This position requires someone who can do more than close books.
We need someone who can build a bulletproof month‑end process, enforce clean schedules, develop strong people, identify issues before they become problems, and give ownership absolute confidence in the numbers.

What This Role Is Really Responsible For

At its core, your job is straightforward:

You make sure the books are right. Every month. No excuses.

That means:

• Financial statements are clean, accurate, and submitted on time
• Schedules are current, reconciled, and supportable
• The accounting office operates with discipline, urgency, and accountability
• Problems are identified and corrected before they affect the financials
• Ownership can rely on the numbers without hesitation

Key Areas of Responsibility

Financial Leadership & Oversight

• Lead all accounting and office operations across multiple rooftops
• Ensure accurate and timely month‑end and year‑end closings
• Oversee preparation and review of monthly financial statements
• Ensure all statements are completed with supporting documentation and schedule integrity
• Deliver accurate reporting to ownership, OEMs, lenders, and outside partners as needed

Month‑End Close Discipline

• Build, refine, and enforce a repeatable, deadline‑driven month‑end close process
• Eliminate fire drills, bottlenecks, and last‑minute surprises
• Establish a close cadence that creates consistency across all stores
• Ensure reconciliations and adjustments are completed correctly and on schedule

Schedule & Balance Sheet Integrity

• Maintain strict control over all schedules and balance sheet accounts
• Ensure every account is current, reconciled, explainable, and supportable
• Identify stale items, unreconciled balances, and process breakdowns quickly
• Hold accounting staff accountable for timely cleanup and resolution

Accounting Office Leadership

• Lead, train, and hold accountable office managers, controllers, and accounting personnel
• Create clear roles, responsibilities, ownership, and workflow accountability
• Improve departmental structure, communication, and execution
• Build a culture of urgency, precision, and professionalism

Controls, Process & Compliance

• Strengthen internal controls and reduce operational/accounting risk
• Standardize procedures where appropriate across rooftops
• Ensure compliance with dealership accounting best practices and manufacturer expectations
• Maintain readiness for audits, lender reviews, and internal review processes

Operational Partnership

• Work closely with ownership and dealership leadership
• Provide financial visibility, identify concerns early, and support sound decision‑making
• Bring clarity and order to the financial side of the business so operators can perform with confidence

What We Are Looking For

We are not looking for someone who simply has dealership experience.

We are looking for someone who has already proven they can lead a high‑functioning automotive accounting operation at a senior level and can step in with authority from day one.

Minimum Requirements

• 10+ years of automotive dealership accounting experience at a senior level (non‑negotiable)
• Prior experience as a Controller, Group Controller, CFO, or senior dealership accounting leader
• Deep understanding of dealer financial statements, schedules, reconciliations, and month‑end close
• Strong working knowledge of dealership accounting workflows across variable and fixed operations
• Experience managing accounting teams in a high‑volume, high‑accountability environment
• Hands‑on familiarity with dealership systems and financial controls
• Experience working in CDK and/or Lightyear strongly preferred

The Right Candidate Will Be…

• System‑Oriented – You build structure. You do not wait for problems to happen and then react to them.
• Highly Accountable – You hold standards. You do not tolerate sloppy work, weak follow‑up, or recurring avoidable issues.
• Fast, Clear, and Decisive – You move with urgency, think critically, and solve problems without creating chaos.
• Respected by Operators – You understand dealership realities and know how to work with leadership without losing financial discipline.
• Calm Under Pressure – You can manage complexity, multiple rooftops, and high standards without becoming disorganized.
• Trusted – Your numbers are credible. Your process is tight. Your word means something.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• Month‑end is predictable, not chaotic
• Schedules are clean, current, and supportable
• Financial statements go out on time — every time
• Ownership trusts the numbers without questioning them
• The accounting office runs with discipline, urgency, and professionalism
• Problems get solved before they become expensive
• There is structure, consistency, and accountability across all rooftops

Why This Is a Great Opportunity for the Right Person

This role is ideal for a high‑level automotive accounting professional who wants:

• A serious leadership role with real authority
• A company that values financial discipline and operational excellence
• The opportunity to build and refine systems instead of constantly cleaning up preventable messes
• Direct visibility and impact with ownership
• A platform where elite performance is recognized and respected

This is a chance to step into a role where your leadership, structure, and financial discipline will genuinely matter.

Compensation

Compensation will be highly competitive and commensurate with experience, capability, and proven performance.

A strong compensation package will be designed for the right candidate.

To Be Considered

This opportunity is intended for serious automotive accounting professionals only.

If you have a proven history of building clean, disciplined, high‑performing dealership accounting operations — and you are ready to lead at a high level — we want to hear from you.

Minimum 10 years experience in automotive accounting at a senior level

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