Assistant Controller - Fixed Operations

Mcdonald Automotive

$105K — $130K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of progressive accounting experience with general-ledger functions and month-end close processes.
  • Proven ability in P&L analysis and communication of financial results to non-financial partners.
  • Strong understanding of inventory accounting and reconciliations.
  • Experience with property and capital expenditure accounting.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills, including managing and coaching accounting teams.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for complex financial analysis.
  • Excellent analytical and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee accounting for real-estate, accounts receivable, and collision operations.
  • Act as the primary accounting contact for management across various dealership operations.
  • Analyze P&L statements, identifying variances and financial risks.
  • Translate financial data into actionable insights for operational leaders.
  • Ensure consistent accounting practices across all operations.
  • Lead month-end close processes and ensure report accuracy.
  • Encourage and guide the team through complex accounting and operational tasks.

Benefits

  • Work for a family-owned company with a long-standing presence in Colorado.
  • Gain ownership of diverse responsibilities across multiple business sectors.
  • Directly partner with senior leadership for influence and decision-making.
  • Opportunities for team development and contributions to financial improvement.
  • Engage with a company culture focused on integrity and long-term relationships.
Full Job Description
About the Role

With nine automotive brands across 13 rooftops, McDonald Automotive Group operates a centralized accounting team from our Volkswagen dealership on Broadway in Littleton.

We are seeking an experienced Assistant Controller - Fixed Operations to provide accounting leadership across a diverse portfolio that includes dealership real estate, accounts receivable, accounts payable, collision operations, wholesale auto parts, and insurance-related entities.

Reporting directly to the Senior Controller, this position will serve as a primary accounting partner for Service Managers, Parts Managers, collision leadership, and other operational stakeholders. The Assistant Controller will help leaders interpret financial performance, resolve operational accounting questions, strengthen financial controls, and maintain consistent accounting practices across assigned business areas.

The ideal candidate combines strong accounting fundamentals with experience in inventory, P&L analysis, property or real-estate accounting, team leadership, and operational business partnership.

Key Responsibilities

Financial and Operational Oversight
  • Provide accounting oversight for assigned real-estate entities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, collision operations, wholesale parts operations, and insurance-related entities.
  • Serve as a primary accounting resource for Service Managers, Parts Managers, collision leadership, and other operational partners.
  • Review departmental and entity-level P&L statements, expenses, accruals, and material variances.
  • Translate financial results into clear, actionable information for operational leaders.
  • Identify financial risks, unusual trends, control gaps, and opportunities to improve business performance.
  • Maintain consistent processing standards and accounting practices across assigned operations.
  • Provide backup leadership support to the broader accounting organization as needed.

Inventory and Property Accounting
  • Oversee accounting controls and reconciliation processes for parts, collision, wholesale auto-parts, and other assigned inventories.
  • Review inventory adjustments, aging, reserves, obsolescence, write-offs, and reconciliation discrepancies.
  • Partner with operational leaders to strengthen inventory accuracy and reduce financial exposure.
  • Oversee accounting related to dealership real estate, property, fixed assets, capital expenditures, depreciation, and associated reconciliations.
  • Maintain accurate financial records and documentation for property-related transactions and assigned assets.
  • Support reporting and compliance requirements involving real estate, property, inventory, and insurance-related entities.

Month-End Close and Reporting
  • Lead and coordinate month-end close activities for assigned departments, operations, and entities.
  • Review general-ledger activity, journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and supporting documentation.
  • Ensure financial statements and management reports are accurate, complete, and submitted on schedule.
  • Analyze P&L and balance-sheet variances and communicate relevant findings to the Senior Controller and operational leadership.
  • Support consolidated financial reporting and other organizational reporting requirements.
  • Investigate discrepancies and ensure timely resolution of accounting issues.

Leadership and Team Development
  • Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to assigned accounting managers and supporting team members.
  • Establish clear expectations for accuracy, timeliness, workflow, and accountability.
  • Guide employees through complex transactions, reconciliations, month-end issues, and operational escalations.
  • Support employee development through regular coaching, feedback, and knowledge sharing.
  • Reinforce consistent application of company policies, accounting standards, internal controls, and documentation requirements.

Systems, Controls, and Process Improvement
  • Ensure accounting systems are configured and used appropriately for assigned operations and entities.
  • Evaluate workflows and implement improvements that strengthen accuracy, timeliness, consistency, and accountability.
  • Partner with HR, Payroll, and Accounting to ensure compensation and operational changes are reflected accurately.
  • Coordinate and support internal, external, manufacturer, insurance, and compliance audits as required.
  • Maintain consistent process documentation, reconciliation standards, and reporting timelines.

Experience and Qualifications

Required
  • At least three years of progressive accounting experience involving general-ledger accounting, reconciliations, month-end close, and financial-statement analysis.
  • Experience analyzing P&L performance and communicating financial results to operational leaders.
  • Experience with inventory accounting, reconciliation, and financial controls.
  • Experience with property, real-estate, fixed-asset, or capital-expenditure accounting.
  • Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, or leading accounting employees.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Professional communication skills and the ability to explain financial information to non-accounting leaders.
  • Ability to balance hands-on accounting responsibilities with team leadership and operational oversight.

Preferred
  • Automotive retail or dealership accounting experience.
  • Experience supporting service, parts, collision, wholesale auto-parts, insurance, or comparable operations.
  • Previous experience as an Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Senior Accountant, or comparable accounting leader.
  • Experience with Tekion, CDK, or another dealership management system.
  • Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
  • CPA designation or active progress toward CPA licensure.

Why Join McDonald Automotive Group?
  • Join a stable, family-owned organization with more than 65 years of Colorado history.
  • Assume meaningful ownership across multiple business areas and entities.
  • Partner directly with senior accounting and operational leaders.
  • Develop accounting teams and influence financial performance across the organization.
  • Contribute to a company that values integrity, growth, long-term relationships, and doing business the right way.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $105,000-$130,000 annually, based on relevant experience, technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and overall alignment with the position.

[Insert approved benefits, bonus eligibility, schedule, and additional compensation information.]

Application Information

This position will remain open for at least three days and will close upon candidate selection.

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