Corporate Controller (Chicago)

This is a rare opportunity for an accounting leader to join a growing, family-owned dealership group, modernize the finance function, and position themselves as the natural successor to the CFO.

The Company

Founded in 1987, Berman Auto Group is a successful, family-owned automotive organization with seven dealership locations serving the greater Chicagoland area, led by founder Michael Berman and his sons, Ross and Todd Berman.

The company has established a reputation for operational excellence, customer service, and employee development. With approximately 400 employees and a strategic plan to acquire additional Illinois dealerships every few years, the organization continues to experience steady, long-term growth. What distinguishes Berman Auto Group is its accessible ownership, entrepreneurial culture, and commitment to developing its people. The leadership team fosters an open, transparent, and collaborative environment where employees are encouraged to grow professionally, contribute ideas, and build lasting careers.

With minimal bureaucracy and direct access to executive leadership, Berman offers the stability of an established organization while maintaining the agility of a growing family-owned business.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, this individual will lead and strengthen the accounting organization, improve financial reporting, streamline the month-end close process, and help modernize the finance function through better systems, processes, and AI-enabled reporting tools. Over time, the role is expected to evolve into a broader senior finance leadership position with a potential path to Chief Financial Officer.

Position Highlights:

• Executive succession opportunity with a defined path to CFO.

• Lead accounting operations supporting seven dealership locations.

• Improve month-end close and financial reporting processes.

• Drive process improvements and AI-enabled reporting initiatives.

• Partner directly with the CFO and ownership team.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a collaborative accounting executive with strong technical expertise, executive presence, sound judgment, and exceptional communication skills. This leader is proactive, embraces continuous improvement, holds themselves and others accountable, and is excited by the opportunity to grow into the future financial leader of a dynamic, expanding organization.

The successful candidate will bring the discipline of a seasoned accounting leader while demonstrating the curiosity and adaptability needed to improve processes, develop people, and support continued growth across a multi-location dealership platform.

Requirements

• Active CPA license preferred; need to be CPA eligible.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in automotive dealerships, manufacturing, trucking, or public accounting.

• Experience in automotive retail is preferred, but not required.

o This may include experience working within a dealership group or servicing dealership clients within a public accounting firm.

• Strong knowledge of financial planning, forecasting, and operational analysis

• Advanced proficiency in accounting systems, Microsoft Excel, and Google Workspace

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities

• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to work closely with executive leadership

• High level of integrity, discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail

Benefits

• Competitive compensation of $125,000–$175,000 with bonus opportunity

• Company vehicle, health benefits package, vacation/PTO, and 401(k).