Chief Accounting Officer (Houston)

About Us

Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI) is a Fortune 250 leader in global automotive retail, operating more than 250 dealerships and collision centers across the United States and United Kingdom. As the 4th largest dealership group in the U.S., Group 1 delivers a fully integrated automotive experience, including vehicle sales, financing, aftersales service, and digital retail solutions. As the automotive industry continues to evolve, Group 1 is investing in the people, technology, and operational excellence needed to shape what comes next. Our work is grounded in a simple belief, that a better experience for customers starts with an exemplary experience for employees.At Group 1, our commitment is to keep finding smarter ways to serve our customers and support one another. We believe great careers are built in environments where people are trusted, challenged, and given room to grow. If you share our core values of integrity, transparency, professionalism, teamwork, and respect, you can get more with Group 1. More opportunity. More support. More ways to build a career that moves you forward.

Overview

Group 1 Automotive, Inc. is seeking a transformational Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) to lead the Company's global accounting organization. As the Company's senior accounting executive, the CAO will establish the strategic vision for the accounting function while ensuring the integrity, transparency, and accuracy of the Company's financial reporting and control environment.Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer serves as a strategic business partner to the executive leadership team and Board of Directors, providing financial leadership that supports the Company's continued growth, acquisition strategy, operational excellence, and commitment to strong governance. The CAO will also be the executive leader responsible for the Company's global accounting strategy, controllership, financial reporting, accounting governance, and accounting transformation initiatives, ensuring the accounting organization supports the Company's long-term growth strategy.This executive will lead a global accounting organization responsible for SEC reporting, external financial reporting, technical accounting, controllership, SOX compliance, consolidations, financial systems, and accounting operations. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who combines deep technical expertise with a commercial mindset and a passion for building scalable organizations capable of supporting long-term growth.The ideal candidate is a confident executive communicator who is equally comfortable presenting technical accounting conclusions and leading discussions with executive leadership and the Board. This leader possesses the ability to simplify complex financial matters into meaningful business insights that support strategic decision-making.The successful candidate will be an influential leader who builds high-performing teams, drives organizational transformation, and fosters a culture of financial excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.This is a highly visible executive role with significant interaction with the Board of Directors, auditors, regulators, investors, and executive leadership.The Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) is responsible for ensuring the integrity, transparency, and accuracy of the Company's global financial reporting while maintaining a best-in-class control environment. The CAO serves as the Company's principal accounting executive and oversees the establishment of enterprise-wide accounting policies, governance standards, financial reporting excellence, and scalable accounting operations that support domestic and international growth.The CAO will oversee all aspects of SEC reporting, accounting policy, technical accounting, financial close, consolidations, external reporting, internal controls, and corporate and operational accounting. In addition to maintaining compliance with U.S. GAAP, SEC regulations, SOX, and other regulatory requirements, this leader will drive accounting transformation initiatives, modernize financial processes, support acquisition integration, and help shape the long-term financial infrastructure of the organization.As Group 1 continues to grow through acquisitions and operational excellence, the Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) will play a critical role in ensuring the accounting organization scales alongside the business while serving as a trusted advisor to the CFO and executive leadership team.

Responsibilities

Executive Financial LeadershipServe as the Company's CAO and principal accounting executive, providing strategic leadership for the global accounting and controllership organization.Partner with the CFO, executive leadership team, and Board of Directors on financial strategy, governance, enterprise risk, and long-term business planning.Establish the strategic direction for the accounting function, ensuring alignment with the Company's long-term financial, operational, and acquisition objectives.Build and lead a high-performing global accounting organization focused on operational excellence, accountability, continuous improvement, and talent development.Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and financial stewardship across the enterprise.Present quarterly and annual financial results, accounting updates, technical accounting matters, and SEC reporting to executive leadership and Board of Directors.Provide executive leadership through periods of growth, acquisitions, organizational change, and business transformation.Partner with executive leadership to influence strategic business decisions through financial insight and risk management.SEC Reporting & External Financial ReportingOwn the Company's external financial reporting process, ensuring timely and accurate preparation and filing of:Annual Reports (Form 10-K)Quarterly Reports (Form 10-Q)Current Reports (Form 8-K)Proxy StatementsEarnings releasesSEC disclosures and supporting schedulesOversee preparation of consolidated financial statements, footnotes, MD&A, earnings materials, and presentations.Monitor emerging accounting standards and SEC regulations, ensuring timely adoption and communication of new requirements.Serve as the executive liaison with external auditors, regulatory agencies, and accounting advisors.Technical Accounting & Accounting PolicyLead the Company's technical accounting function, providing guidance on complex accounting matters including:Business combinationsRevenue recognitionLease accountingImpairment analysesStock compensationDebt and equity transactionsForeign operationsForeign currency translation and multi-currency consolidationDevelop accounting policies and governance frameworks that support a growing public company.Ensure consistent application of U.S. GAAP across domestic and international operations and oversee U.K. statutory reporting and the reconciliation of IFRS/local GAAP differences for international subsidiaries.Global Controllership & Financial OperationsLead global accounting operations, including:Financial closeConsolidationsGeneral accountingFinancial reportingCorporate accountingPayroll accounting oversightWarranty accounting oversightFixed asset accountingDrive improvements in the month-end close process while increasing efficiency and reporting quality.Ensure the integrity of financial systems, accounting processes, and internal controls.Governance, SOX & Risk ManagementProvide executive oversight of SOX compliance and the Company's internal control framework.Strengthen governance practices that reduce financial reporting risk while improving operational effectiveness.Partner with auditors to continuously improve the control environment.Growth & Corporate DevelopmentSupport the Company's acquisition strategy through accounting due diligence, purchase accounting, integration planning, and post-close financial reporting.Evaluate accounting implications of strategic initiatives and capital allocation decisions.Partner with Corporate Development, Treasury, Tax, Legal, and FP&A to support enterprise growth.Accounting Transformation & TechnologyChampion modernization of the accounting organization through automation, process redesign, AI-enabled solutions, and financial systems optimization.Lead Oracle enhancements and implementations as well as financial reporting technology initiatives.Build scalable accounting processes capable of supporting continued domestic and international expansion.

Qualifications

RequiredBachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance (advanced degree such as an MBA or Master's in Accounting/Taxation preferred)Active CPA license20+ years of demonstrated, progressive accounting leadership experience, including serving as the senior accounting executive or equivalent leadership role within a publicly traded organization, multi-national organizationExtensive experience leading:SEC reportingExternal financial reportingTechnical accountingGlobal controllershipInternational / multi-jurisdiction operations (e.g., U.K.), including statutory reporting and foreign-currency consolidationSOX complianceDeep expertise in:U.S. GAAPSEC reporting requirementsInternal controlsCorporate governanceDemonstrated success partnering with Boards of Directors, Audit Committees, executive leadership, and external auditorsExperience leading global accounting organizations through periods of growth, acquisitions, and organizational transformationExperience building, developing, and mentoring high-performing teams.PreferredBig Four public accounting experienceAutomotive retail or multi-unit retail organization experienceFortune 250 or other large public company leadership experienceDemonstrated success leveraging technology, automation, and AI to modernize accounting operationsLocati]]> <