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Dealership Controller Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Mills Auto Group

Automotive Controller

Hampton, VA

Controller Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Position Overview: As our business expands, we ... Partner with the CFO and dealership management on budgets, expenses, and financial performance.

Mills Auto Group

Automotive Controller

Hampton, VA · On-site

Controller Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Position Overview: As our business expands, we ... Partner with the CFO and dealership management on budgets, expenses, and financial performance.

Mills Auto Group

Automotive Controller

Hampton, VA

Controller Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Position Overview: As our business expands, we ... Partner with the CFO and dealership management on budgets, expenses, and financial performance.

Mills Auto Group

Automotive Controller

Hampton, VA

Controller Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Position Overview: As our business expands, we ... Partner with the CFO and dealership management on budgets, expenses, and financial performance.

Humetis Group

Controller - Automotive

Roanoke, VA · On-site

We are seeking an experienced Automotive Controller to lead the financial operations of our dealership. This role is essential to ensuring accurate financial reporting, maintaining compliance, and ...

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All JobsDealership Controller JobsDealership Controller Jobs in Virginia

Dealership Controller information

See Virginia salary details

$54.5K

$118.5K

$174K

How much do dealership controller jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for dealership controller in Virginia is $118,472.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,200.00 and $137,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a dealership controller?

A Dealership Controller is a financial professional responsible for overseeing the accounting operations and financial health of an automotive dealership. They manage budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, and compliance with regulatory standards. Dealership Controllers also analyze financial data to support management in decision-making and ensure the dealership's financial practices are efficient and accurate. Their role is critical in maintaining transparency and profitability within the dealership.

What does a dealership controller do?

As a dealership controller, your primary responsibilities are to oversee the financial aspects of an automotive dealership and monitor internal compliance. Your duties include adhering to the budget, assisting with internal audits, performing economic analysis, managing payroll, preparing an automotive plant asset report, and completing additional accounting related tasks. This job focuses heavily on the financial activities of the dealership. A dealership controller reports to the accounting director or the vice president of the dealership and can work with an automobile manufacturer or service center.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dealership controller, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Dealership Controller, you need a solid background in accounting or finance, often supported by a bachelor's degree and dealership-specific experience. Familiarity with dealership management systems (DMS) like Reynolds & Reynolds or CDK Global, as well as proficiency in Excel and financial reporting software, is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and communication skills help you collaborate with department managers and ensure compliance. These skills are vital to maintain accurate financial records, support decision-making, and ensure the dealership's profitability and regulatory compliance.

What are some common challenges a dealership controller faces when managing multiple dealership locations?

A Dealership Controller overseeing multiple locations often encounters challenges such as standardizing financial processes, ensuring timely and accurate reporting, and maintaining compliance across all sites. Balancing different operational styles and system integrations can add complexity, making it essential to have strong organizational and communication skills. Regular collaboration with general managers and department heads is key to aligning financial goals and streamlining procedures, which helps support consistent profitability and regulatory compliance throughout the dealership group.

What is the difference between Dealership Controller vs Bookkeeper?

AspectDealership ControllerBookkeeper
CredentialsAccounting degree or CPA preferredBasic accounting or bookkeeping certification often sufficient
Work EnvironmentAutomotive dealership finance departmentSmall business, retail, or service industry
ResponsibilitiesFinancial reporting, budgeting, compliance, overseeing accounting staffRecording transactions, managing accounts payable/receivable
Industry UsageCommonly used in automotive dealerships and large retailUsed across various small to medium businesses

The Dealership Controller typically handles comprehensive financial management within a dealership, including reporting and compliance, requiring advanced accounting skills. In contrast, a Bookkeeper focuses on recording daily financial transactions, often with less formal credentials. While both roles involve accounting tasks, the Controller's position is more strategic and supervisory, especially in the automotive industry.

Is a dealership controller a high level position?

A dealership controller is a senior management role responsible for overseeing financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance within a dealership. It typically requires extensive accounting experience and may involve supervising staff, making it a high-level position in the dealership's organizational structure.
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Dealership Controller jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dealership Controller job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,472 per year, or $57 per hour.

Automotive Controller - Fairfax, VA

Chantilly, VA

Element Partners
See more jobs at Element Partnersexternal

$170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Automotive Controller — High-Volume Luxury Dealership

Fairfax, VA | Full-Time, On-Site 

The Opportunity

A top-performing luxury brand dealership in Fairfax, VA is hiring a Controller to run the business office. This is a high-volume store in one of the strongest retail automotive markets in the country — meaningful new and used volume, a heavy F&I and fixed ops contribution, and a factory that expects clean, on-time reporting every month.

This is not a caretaker seat. The dealer principal and GM want a Controller who protects the numbers, tightens the schedules, and gives leadership a real read on where gross is coming from and where it's leaking.

What You'll Own
  • Monthly financial statement preparation and on-time submission to the factory
  • Month-end close, journal entries, accruals, and reconciliation of all balance sheet schedules
  • Daily cash management, bank reconciliations, floor plan reconciliation, and curtailment tracking
  • Factory receivables: warranty claims, incentives, holdback, and rebate collection — aged and cleared, not carried
  • Full oversight of the business office: title and tag clerks, billing, AP/AR, warranty administration, and payroll
  • Internal controls, deal jacket compliance, and Safeguards Rule adherence
  • Payroll processing and commission/pay plan calculation for sales, service, and management
  • Expense control, vendor management, and month-over-month variance analysis for the GM and dealer
  • Working capital, insurance, licensing, and Virginia DMV compliance
  • Partnering with department managers to explain the statement — not just publish it
What We're Looking For
  • 3+ years as a dealership Controller or Office Manager ready to step up; automotive experience is required
  • Strong command of a dealership DMS — CDK / Reynolds & Reynolds / Dealertrack preferred
  • Proven ability to close on time and keep schedules clean
  • Comfort with luxury or high-line brand reporting requirements and factory audits
  • Hands-on leadership of a business office team, including hiring, training, and accountability
  • Advanced Excel and a genuine analytical instinct — you find the problem before it shows up on the statement
  • Discretion, integrity, and the judgment to tell a dealer something they don't want to hear
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance preferred; CPA a plus, not a requirement
Compensation & Benefits
  • $170,000+ total compensation commensurate with experience
  • Performance bonus tied to store profitability
  • Medical, dental, and vision
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off and paid holidays
  • Employee purchase and service discounts
  • A stable, well-capitalized ownership group with room to grow into a multi-store role

Element Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.