Group Controller

Description

Las Vegas, NV | Controller | Automotive accounting | Multi-entity | GAAP | General ledger | Financial reporting | Payroll accounting | Fixed assets | Internal controls | Public accounting experience required | CPA preferred | Shared services | Veterans encouraged to apply

IS THIS YOU?

• You're a senior accounting leader with a public accounting foundation and substantial private industry experience -- you know what best-in-class looks like, you've built it before, and you can lead a team of 50+ to deliver it consistently

• You own the technical accounting side completely -- GAAP, financial reporting, general ledger, internal controls, period-end close -- and you're equally strong at developing people and driving process improvement

• You're ready to serve as the financial backbone of a nearly $3 billion automotive group, partnering directly with the CFO and executive leadership to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and strategic usefulness of everything that comes out of the accounting function

WHO WE ARE

Swickard Auto Group is a hospitality company that happens to sell and service cars. We believe the best guest experiences start with the best employee experiences. That's why we've grown to 40+ rooftops across the West Coast, Alaska, and Hawaii while maintaining a culture built on one simple idea: do right by people, every time.

Our Shared Services team in Las Vegas supports accounting, finance, HR, legal, and operations across an organization with annual revenues of approximately $3 billion and over 2,600 employees. The Group Controller reports directly to the CFO and owns the day-to-day financial and accounting operations of the Auto Group -- leading a team of 50+ accounting professionals, overseeing financial reporting integrity, and serving as a key financial partner to executive leadership across a complex, multi-state, multi-brand dealership organization.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead and oversee the Group Accounting function -- serving as process owner for General Ledger, Inventory, Fixed Assets, and Payroll, and providing strategic direction and operational leadership to the Assistant Controller, Senior Payroll Staff Accountant, DMV Manager, and Inventory Control Manager

• Direct automotive accounting operations across the organization -- ensuring accurate financial reporting, consistent accounting practices, and alignment with company policies and objectives

• Establish, maintain, and oversee the organization's chart of accounts -- ensuring appropriate account structure, classification, consistency, and alignment with financial reporting requirements

• Oversee the preparation, review, and analysis of financial statements, general ledger activity, account reconciliations, and other financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP and company requirements

• Direct and manage the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes -- ensuring accurate, timely completion and satisfaction of internal and external stakeholder reporting requirements

• Oversee payroll accounting operations -- including payroll journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, payroll-related liabilities, and accurate recording of employee compensation expenses

• Provide leadership and oversight of DMV adjusting activities -- ensuring accurate accounting adjustments, appropriate documentation, and compliance with established policies

• Ensure compliance with manufacturer financial reporting requirements (Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and others), applicable accounting standards, tax requirements, and audit procedures -- partner with Swickard Management Group Accounting on the annual financial statement audit and oversee timely resolution of findings

• Partner with the CFO to maintain strong internal controls, including proper controls over disbursements and employee-related transactions, and appropriate segregation of duties across all financial transactions

• Monitor and evaluate financial performance, accounting trends, and variances -- providing insights and recommendations to executive leadership on opportunities to improve profitability, liquidity, and risk management

• Lead the development and implementation of process improvements, automation, and system enhancements -- including change management through system transitions -- to improve accounting accuracy, operational efficiency, and financial controls

• Develop, coach, and mentor accounting team members -- partner with Human Resources on job architecture, individual development, performance management, and succession planning

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting -- required

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years of public accounting audit experience with a large regional or national firm and 5+ years of private industry accounting department management in a large company -- required

• CPA preferred -- does not need to be active

• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, general ledger management, account reconciliations, and internal controls

• Knowledge of automotive dealership accounting, inventory, fixed assets, payroll, DMV/title processes, and related compliance requirements a significant advantage

• Proven ability to lead and develop large accounting teams while managing multiple functions and priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial management skills -- able to identify discrepancies, assess risk, and implement effective solutions

• Proficiency with accounting systems, Microsoft Office, and financial reporting tools

• Strong communicator with the ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership and cross-functional teams -- a team player with a positive attitude and a customer-centric approach

WHAT WE OFFER

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Life insurance and supplemental coverage options

• Paid time off and paid holidays

• A senior leadership role with direct CFO partnership and executive visibility -- your work shapes how a nearly $3 billion organization sees and manages its financial performance

• Career growth within a high-growth dealer group with an active acquisition pipeline and expanding operational scope

• Employee vehicle purchase and service discounts

WHY SWICKARD AUTO GROUP -- SHARED SERVICES

• A nearly $3 billion revenue organization with 40+ rooftops across six states -- the accounting complexity here is real, the team is substantial, and the Group Controller's work has direct and meaningful impact on how the organization performs and grows

• Direct partnership with the CFO and executive leadership -- your reporting, your analysis, and your recommendations reach the people who act on them and shape the organization's financial direction

• An active acquisition pipeline means this role grows in scope over time -- each new store adds accounting complexity, reporting requirements, and integration work that expands the function you lead

• Swickard is one of the fastest-growing dealer groups in the country -- ranked Top 5 in North America for reputation in the automotive industry

• Our HEART values -- Honor, Engage, Anticipate, Respond, Thank -- define the integrity standard this role is responsible for maintaining across the entire accounting function

If you're a senior accounting leader with the public accounting foundation, the private industry depth, and the leadership instincts to own the financial and accounting operations of a nearly $3 billion dealer group -- apply.