VP, Controller

Group 1 Automotive Inc. (NYSE: GPI) is seeking a transformational VP Controller to lead the Companys global accounting organization.

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer the VP Controller serves as a strategic business partner to the executive leadership team and Board of Directors providing financial leadership that supports the Companys continued growth acquisition strategy operational excellence and commitment to strong governance.

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 VP Controller is responsible for ensuring the integrity transparency and accuracy of the Companys global financial reporting while maintaining a best-in-class control environment.

The VP Controller will oversee all aspects of SEC reporting accounting policy technical accounting financial close consolidations external reporting internal controls and corporate and operational 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 VP Controller 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.

Executive Financial Leadership

• Serve as the senior accounting executive for the Company providing strategic leadership over 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.
• 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 Reporting

• Own the Companys 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 Statements
• Earnings releases
• SEC disclosures and supporting schedules
• Oversee 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 Policy

• Lead the Companys technical accounting function providing guidance on complex accounting matters including:
• Business combinations
• Revenue recognition
• Lease accounting
• Impairment analyses
• Stock compensation
• Debt and equity transactions
• Foreign operations
• Foreign currency translation and multi-currency consolidation
• Develop 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 Operations

• Lead global accounting operations including:
• Financial close
• Consolidations
• General accounting
• Financial reporting
• Corporate accounting
• Payroll accounting oversight
• Warranty accounting oversight
• Fixed asset accounting
• Drive 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 Management

• Provide executive oversight of SOX compliance and the Companys 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 Development

• Support the Companys 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 & Technology

• Champion 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.

• Bachelors degree in Accounting or Finance (advanced degree such as an MBA or Masters in Accounting/Taxation preferred)
• Active CPA license
• 20 years of progressive accounting leadership experience including executive leadership within a publicly traded multi-national organization
• Extensive experience leading:
• SEC reporting
• External financial reporting
• Technical accounting
• Global controllership
• International / multi-jurisdiction operations (e.g. U.K.) including statutory reporting and foreign-currency consolidation
• SOX compliance
• Deep expertise in:
• U.S. GAAP
• SEC reporting requirements
• Internal controls
• Corporate governance
• Demonstrated success partnering with Boards of Directors Audit Committees executive leadership and external auditors
• Experience leading global accounting organizations through periods of growth acquisitions and organizational transformation

• Experience building developing and mentoring high-performing teams.

Preferred

Big Four public accounting experience

Automotive retail or multi-unit retail organization experience

Fortune 500 or other large public company leadership experience

Demonstrated success leveraging technology automation and AI to modernize accounting operations

Location & Travel

This position is based at the Companys corporate headquarters in Houston Texas. Given the Companys U.S. and U.K. operations this role requires periodic domestic and international travel at least 25% of the time.