Automotive Dealer Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) MI/Canada

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Automotive Dealer Group - MI/Canada

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for leading the financial strategy, structure, and performance of a multi-franchise automotive dealer group. The CFO will oversee all financial operations including accounting, treasury, compliance, risk management, lender relationships, manufacturer reporting, and strategic growth initiatives.

This executive will serve as a key partner to the CEO/Dealer Principal, driving profitability, optimizing capital structure, and ensuring financial discipline across all rooftops.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the group’s financial strategy aligned with growth objectives
• Provide strategic financial analysis to support acquisitions, new rooftops, and expansion
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning
• Drive EBITDA growth and improve return on invested capital (ROIC)

Automotive-Specific Financial Oversight

• Oversee floorplan financing, inventory aging, and manufacturer incentive reconciliation
• Manage factory financial statement submissions and compliance
• Monitor deal structure profitability (front-end, back-end, F&I)
• Analyze departmental performance (Sales, F&I, Fixed Ops, Parts)

Cash Flow & Capital Management

• Optimize working capital and liquidity across multiple dealerships
• Manage banking relationships, lines of credit, and lender negotiations
• Structure real estate financing and sale-leaseback opportunities
• Oversee treasury operations and capital deployment strategy

Accounting & Compliance

• Lead consolidated financial reporting for all entities
• Ensure GAAP compliance and internal controls
• Supervise controller(s) and accounting teams at each rooftop
• Oversee audits, tax strategy, and regulatory compliance

Risk Management

• Implement internal controls to mitigate fraud and operational risk
• Manage insurance programs (garage liability, property, cyber, etc.)
• Monitor covenant compliance and debt ratios

M&A & Growth

• Lead financial due diligence for acquisitions
• Structure buy/sell transactions
• Integrate new dealerships into group reporting systems

Qualifications

• CPA, CFA, or equivalent preferred
• 10+ years of senior financial leadership experience
• Automotive dealership or automotive group experience strongly preferred
• Deep knowledge of:
  • Floorplan financing
  • OEM financial reporting
  • Dealer management systems (CDK, Reynolds & Reynolds, Dealertrack, etc.)
  • Multi-entity financial consolidation
• Proven experience managing multi-million dollar inventory and complex capital structures
• Strong banking and lender negotiation experience

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinker with operational discipline
• Strong cash flow management skills
• High integrity and accountability
• Data-driven decision maker
• Experience leading multi-location teams

Performance Metrics

• EBITDA growth
• Working capital efficiency
• Inventory turn & aging control
• Debt-to-EBITDA ratio
• Departmental gross margin improvement
• Acquisition integration success

Salary will be based on experience