Cost Accountant

JOB DUTIES:

PURPOSE OF JOB:

This non-supervisory position is responsible for assisting with the retail facility’s accounting and bookkeeping activities and with updates of accounting and financial reports.  Ensures the company is compliant with all local, state and federal regulations including sales tax laws, luxury tax laws, and cash receipt reporting rules.  Receives cash payments from customers and employees for goods or services and timely and accurately updates records.

Accounting Responsibilities

• Account for all purchased, traded or sold vehicles.  Process paperwork and packs per company policies and procedures.  Ensure all incentives are appropriately applied when posting new vehicles sold.
• Verify and report any cash payments over $10,000 for reporting on Internal Revenue Service Form 8300.
• Verify all sales tax is accurate, collected, and documented.
• Timely and accurately monitor insurance and warranty policy submissions and cancellations.  Review at least monthly for outstanding items. Process paperwork for credit life and extended warranty refunds.  Ensure all GAP refunds are paid back to the customer within 60 days, or as necessary to meet the Indiana state requirement.  Keep all contracts in designated locations with the ledger recording refunds.  Ensure that refunds are paid back to the customer only after the amount has been verified with the refunded company for the exact amount of the refund.  Reconcile both schedules monthly.
• Ensure general ledger schedules are accurate and reconciled.
• Stay current with accounting functions and reports.
• Verify and process the batches for correct accounting coding of deals, service transactions, etc.  Process and record funding for all retail financing contracts.  Verify completeness and required signatures for all deals.  Process promptly, ensuring all funds are being received so the unit may be paid off with the financial institution.
• Make change, cash checks, and issue receipts.
• Make daily bank deposits.
• Reconcile cash sales with daily deposit.  Verify cash register tape with cash sales.  Balance drawers to $150.00 daily.  If the drawer is short at any time, immediately notify your manager. 
• Perform monthly review and reconciliation of all customer receivables.  Send monthly statements.
• Prepare letters to customers or call customers who have past-due accounts.
• Fill out check requests for any parts returns that were paid with a check.  Issue credit card refunds for credit card payments. Check with Parts for any return fees that may need to be charged associated with special orders.  In all cases, include the proper account number for posting and a copy of the part return ticket.  The Service Manager is responsible for handling any customer Service Order reimbursements.

Title Responsibilities

• Ensure Romain Buick, Inc. complies with all local, state, and federal regulations on titling procedures.  Ensure standard title processing of 14 days after delivery for the satisfaction of our customers, but in no case longer than having the title to the customer within 21 days from delivery date, or as required by regulations. 
• Utilize and understand all aspects of the Computerized Vehicle Registration (CVR) Program.
• Ensure that customers receive correct information in the form of plates and registration.
• Collect balances owed by customers for fees such as state excise tax and keep the record of payment in the deal folder.
• Ensure we have a full legible copy of both the front and back of the C of O for the deal folder.
• Ensure that we have been paid in full and have received the trade title before mailing the customer their new title.
• Ensure that all paperwork is filled out correctly and is properly signed/dated.  Promptly follow up on any paperwork not received or of items needing correction.  Escalate elevated concerns to management as appropriate.
• Check all incoming auction titles.
• Maintain organized and up-to-date records and files on deals for which titles are in progress.
• Serve as back-up to the Accounting Assistant on floor plan responsibilities, including paying off vehicles sold according to the dealership’s Policies & Procedures (P&P’s).
• Prepare dealer trade paperwork for drivers.
• Track receipt of C of O and checks from trading drivers.
• Transfer or issue plates for loaner vehicles as needed.

General

• Ensure prompt and regular attendance.
• Perform other appropriate duties as may be assigned by Management.
• Travel as business needs may require.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Personally commit to quality in all aspects of work.
• Provide “World Class Customer Service” for internal and external customers.
• Participate in and promote the established Quality Improvement Process (QIP) for continuous improvement.
• Participate on teams to research, measure, and correct problems and to strive for process improvement.
• Communicate and exemplify the Company’s Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Values, and Philosophy.
• Attend at least ten (10) credit hours of training each calendar year to continue development of work-related skills.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Associate-level (2-year) degree in Accounting or other business-relevant degree is minimally required.

Experience:

• 2 years of Accounting experience is minimally required.
• Prior experience with processing vehicle titles and/or auto dealership experience is preferred.

Other Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Competencies:

• Must possess a thorough understanding of accounting practices, such as Accounts Payable, Accounts Payable, General Ledger, Payroll, etc.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Exceptional detail skills.
• Ability to multitask and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Maintain a working knowledge of bank and insurance terminology and processes.
• Maintain strong efficiency and proficiency in working with computer systems and programs applicable to our business, including but not limited to, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, databases, and web-based platforms.
• Strong math skills, including the ability to compute financial formulas, interest, financial analysis, etc.
• Perform effectively as a team with various other functional and cross-functional team members.
• Excellent communications skills, including active listening, verbal communications, written communications.
• Strong follow-up and follow-through skills to ensure progress is made on missing elements and following various duties through to completion.
• Exceptional documentation skills.  Set up systems and tools to ensure information is accurate, easily retrievable, and shareable to others who may need access to the information when you are not available.
• Strong customer service and problem-solving skills.
• Maintain a strong professional presence to represent the dealership in a friendly and professional manner and accessibility to our internal and external customers.
• Maintain confidentiality of business-related information.
• Must possess and continuously maintain a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

This does not necessarily list all responsibilities, duties, requirements or efforts associated with the job.  While this list is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job, the company reserves the right to review and modify as circumstances or business needs require.

Salary : $150