Group Controller

Description

Fitzgerald Auto Malls is a proud Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company with a longstanding reputation for integrity, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. With automotive dealerships across Florida, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, a rental car company, a finance company, furniture store, parts outlets, and a portfolio of real estate holdings, Fitzgerald continues to grow while maintaining a strong employee-centered culture. As an ESOP organization, every team member contributes to and shares in the company’s long-term success.

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Corporate Group Controller to oversee financial operations across our multi-entity automotive group. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate accounting, robust financial controls, and timely reporting across all dealerships and associated companies. The Corporate Group Controller will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and will lead a team that includes the Manager of Accounting as well as accounting staff at each dealership and business unit.

- Oversee and manage the financial operations of multiple dealerships and business units, including automotive, rental, finance, and real estate entities.

- Supervise and provide leadership to the Manager of Accounting and accounting teams across all locations.

- Ensure timely and accurate month-end and year-end closings, consolidations, and financial reporting.

- Develop, implement, and maintain robust internal controls and accounting policies.

- Manage financial audits and coordinate with external auditors.

-Oversee the payroll function, including providing leadership and guidance to the Payroll team ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely processing across all entities.

- Prepare and analyze financial statements for executive leadership.

- Optimize accounting processes and systems to support scaling and operational efficiency.

- Manage banking relationships and oversee treasury functions.

- Serve as the primary liaison for the ESOP’s third-party administrator (TPA), ensuring compliance, reporting accuracy, and timely submissions.

- Collaborate with operations leadership to support business decisions with financial insights.

- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including dealership-specific accounting requirements.

- Support strategic initiatives, acquisitions, and integrations as needed.

- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA strongly preferred.

- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive accounting leadership experience, preferably in automotive retail or a multi-entity environment.

- Strong knowledge of GAAP and dealership accounting practices.

- Experience managing teams across multiple locations.

- Demonstrated experience with consolidations and multi-entity financial reporting.

- Strong analytical skills and the ability to provide strategic financial guidance.

- Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership abilities.

- Experience working with ESOP structures is a plus.

- Familiarity with dealership management systems (DMS) such as CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds, or similar.