Please read before applying:
Applicants will only be considered if they meet of the following mandatory requirements:
- Current professional accounting designation (CPA or equivalent).
- Senior-level financial leadership experience within a retail automotive dealership or dealership group.
Candidates without retail automotive dealership experience will not be considered. Experience in other industries, including manufacturing, automotive suppliers, banking, or general retail, does not meet the requirements of this position.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the executive leadership team responsible for the financial strategy, performance, and operational success of a growing automotive retail group.
Reporting to the Dealer Principal, the CFO oversees all accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, tax, compliance, and financial planning functions across multiple dealerships. The successful candidate must have retail automotive dealership experience and will provide strategic financial leadership, drive profitability, improve operational efficiencies, and support the organization's long-term growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Develop and execute the organization's financial strategy in alignment with corporate objectives and growth initiatives.
- Partner with the Dealer Principal and executive leadership team to support strategic decision-making through financial analysis and business insights.
- Lead annual budgeting, long-range planning, forecasting, and financial modeling processes.
- Evaluate business performance, identify trends, opportunities, and risks, and provide recommendations to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
- Assess investment opportunities, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and other strategic growth initiatives.
Financial Management & Reporting
- Oversee all accounting functions including the preparation and delivery of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
- Ensure compliance with all manufacturers, lender, regulatory, and corporate reporting requirements.
- Monitor dealership performance metrics, financial KPIs, and departmental profitability.
- Lead financial statement analysis and provide executive-level reporting and recommendations.
- Manage banking relationships, financing arrangements, covenant compliance, and treasury functions.
Accounting Operations & Internal Controls
- Oversee all accounting operations including general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, inventory accounting, deal posting, floorplan management, and intercompany transactions.
- Ensure timely reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts, including cash, receivables, payables, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, manufacturer statements, and payroll liabilities.
- Establish and maintain strong internal controls, policies, and procedures to safeguard company assets and ensure financial integrity.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, scalability, and risk mitigation.
Process Improvement & Technology
- Lead the modernization and automation of accounting and financial processes across all dealership operations.
- Develop reporting systems and dashboards that provide meaningful business intelligence and operational transparency.
- Reduce month-end and year-end closing timelines while improving reporting accuracy and accountability.
- Collaborate with operational leaders to streamline workflows and leverage technology to improve business performance.
Tax, Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with all federal, provincial, municipal, and industry-specific financial regulations.
- Oversee tax planning, remittances, audits, and regulatory filings while identifying opportunities for tax optimization.
- Manage insurance requirements, legal compliance, OEM standards, and contractual obligations.
- Review and oversee corporate contracts, service agreements, and vendor relationships.
Leadership & Team Development
- Provide leadership and mentorship to the accounting and finance team, including Controller, Payroll Administrators, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Deal Administration staff.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.
- Lead recruitment, performance management, succession planning, and talent development initiatives within the finance department.
- Build strong cross-functional relationships with department leaders to support organizational success.
Qualifications
- CPA designation in good standing.
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related discipline.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive accounting and financial management experience.
- Minimum 3-5 years of senior financial leadership experience within an automotive dealership or dealer group environment.
- Proven experience overseeing multi-department or multi-location financial operations.
- Strong expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and strategic planning.
- Demonstrated success leading process improvement and financial systems automation initiatives.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
- Previous experience as a CFO, Director of Finance, Corporate Controller, or Group Controller within an automotive retail organization.
- Strong knowledge of PBS Dealer Management System is an asset.
- Experience working with OEM financial reporting requirements and dealership performance metrics.
- Experience supporting acquisitions, expansions, or high-growth dealership groups.
Pay: $150,000.00-$200,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Store discount
- Vision care
Application question(s):
- How many years of experience do you have working in a retail automotive dealership?
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (required)
Experience:
- Senior Financial Leadership: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Chartered Professional Accountant (required)
Location:
- North York, ON (preferred)
Work Location: In person
