Car dealerships face a challenging business landscape. New legislation, manufacturer demands, economic changes, rising real estate costs, and technological challenges are just a few of the complexities affecting dealers. At Eide Bailly, we understand these challenges and the uniqueness of the dealership industry. Dealership leadership needs capable advisors to help them through these challenges. Our passionate and knowledgeable team works with more than 800 dealerships across the country. We strive to provide the services needed to help our dealership clients drive at the optimum speed to continue to maximize profitability.
Our accounting for car dealerships team consists of CPAs, valuation analysts, engineers, former dealership office managers and controllers and more. From assisting with monthly bank reconciliations to providing very specific strategies for complex tax situations, we are equipped and ready to fuel your success. As a top 25 CPA firm we have 40+ offices in U.S. & India, and we serve clients in nearly every state across the nation.
As a dealer, you can be assured in our understanding of the importance of keeping your dealership running at full speed. We recognize it can be difficult to tap the brakes to evaluate business activities such as cash flow, floor planning, daily operational efficiencies and other business activities. That’s why our accounting for car dealerships is an effective way to manage the financials of your business.
And as more and more dealers consider dealership transaction services, Eide Bailly can also support the buy-side and sell-side valuations, transaction structure assistance, quality of earnings consulting, due diligence, purchase price allocation assistance and factory applications. Having an experienced team beside you along your journey will give you confidence that you’re in the fast lane to success.
Our wide range of professional services are geared specifically to the dealership industry and will help boost your performance, including:
These services are based on the greatest challenges faced by the industry. Developing your services online and ensuring you dominate the news waves in your community means elevating yourself above the competition.
Eide Bailly enables you to streamline your operations while you dedicate yourself to creating a connection with your target audience online and offline. Make the investment in your business now.
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Our team of dealership-specific CPAs have compiled the most commonly asked questions that our clients request guidance on. As economic forecasts and legislative policy continues to fluctuate, it’s important for dealers to remain informed to factors that may affect their business. We are here to support you through these complicated issues.
To keep your dealership operating smoothly, you have to manage many working parts, including car dealership accounting and car dealership tax preparation. From manufacturer relations, to inventory allocations to cash flow needs and appropriate internal controls, you need the right advisor to help you navigate business concerns and industry issues. Our knowledgeable and experienced dealership advisors can optimize your operations with a range of professional services tailored specifically to your dealership.
Performance solutions can help you optimize your dealership business. Often times dealerships want a deep analysis of their business strategies, but aren't sure where to start. That’s where an operational solutions or synergistic operations assessment comes in. Identifying actions that truly drive improvement of dealership performance, high sales and high profitability will help you create a win-win scenario now and for the future.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so it's important you find a professional advisor who will work with you to create action plans that drive change. A careful assessment can provide accountability and a holistic view of your dealership operations—including identifying key performance indicators and assigning responsibilities.
Our clients benefit from our team approach. We work with staff members across your dealership to analyze, measure and improve core business processes. We then help you design and evaluate organization structures and staffing models to support both improved processes and effective decision making in the future.
Bank reconciliations are a critical process to any dealership, and we can help ensure that yours are done accurately and timely. At Eide Bailly, we have the resources to reconcile your accounts if they are not up to date or review your reconciliations periodically to ensure they are complete and accurate.
Experience shows that sound and consistent internal controls can quickly identify errors and fraud—and prevent misinformed management decisions that can cost the dealership money today and down the road. Our team can also help identify unusual transactions and give you peace of mind that your cash balances are accurate.
We can make this critical car dealer accounting practice easy while helping you avoid the many problems that can be hidden by inaccurate or untimely reconciliations.
AAs a dealer you recognize the importance of providing care after the sale to your customer. Often, you’ll offer a free diagnostic check that inspects multiple points of the customer’s vehicle. Eide Bailly can do the same for your dealership operations, whether through your day-to-day performance, reporting, or accounting for car dealerships!
Understanding your dealership as a whole is critical for success. When all parts are operating at peak performance, you can feel confident that your dealership will have a competitive edge. Eide Bailly’s dealership diagnostic test can help detect problems, points of consideration, or areas in which you’re excelling. And while some dealerships think this type of review is already being done, there may be benefits to having a fresh pair of eyes take a proactive approach.
For example, discovering flaws in accounting for auto dealerships can free up capital. Accounting for automobile dealerships you could even improve your free cash flow, or identify tax-saving opportunities.
A dealership diagnostic check will provide you with knowledge and insight on:
The dealership diagnostic testing is a useful tool when you’re looking to maximize your profitably and operational efficiency. Explore additional avenues, including thorough intelligent tax planning and accounting for car dealerships. Dealers can feel confident that a confidential, personalized review will help to uncover minor issues that can lead to big dollar savings, areas of abnormality that may be positive or negative and guidance on how best to prioritize KPIs that will lead to top performance.
Save money by taking advantage of tax credits and deductions for your dealership. The government creates tax credits and deductions to help dealerships just like yours operate better and more efficiently. The problem is often knowing if you qualify and how to apply for those credits and deductions—or even knowing that they exist at all. An experienced tax advisor can help sift through the red tape and help you take advantage of these tax-saving opportunities.
Maximizing these opportunities requires comprehensive automobile dealership accounting. Without specialist CPAs supporting you with auto dealership accounting, you will likely miss out on vital opportunities to save. The support of an auto dealer accounting expert provides you with the expertise needed to take advantage of the opportunities available to you in fixed asset planning.
Our specialists have helped many dealerships just like yours leverage savings with:
Eide Bailly will help you file for and receive tax credits and deductions, saving you money on taxes and helping you increase cash flow. We take a personal approach to service and work side by side with you throughout the entire filing process to ensure you receive the maximum benefit you deserve.
Running a dealership requires that you manage a lot of responsibilities and serve many roles. This can sometimes result in a reactionary response instead of one that is strategic. This can lead to missed opportunities, inefficient results and ultimately, reduced profitability. When you are equipped with a roadmap that provides knowledge and solutions, you can take your dealership a lot further.
Your dealership will perform much better with a professionally-developed business plan tailored to your unique situation. Working with a team of experienced dealership advisors will help you define how to allocate your time and resources, as well as empower you to take advantage of opportunities, improving overall efficiency and profitability.
Eide Bailly's professionals are dedicated to understanding the complex business needs of dealerships. In serving more than 800 automotive, along with implement, RV, powersports, heavy-duty truck and heavy-duty equipment dealers, we know how to listen and respond to our clients’ needs. Our team takes an active role in their commitment to dealership and key practice associations.
You dream of what life will be like when it becomes about more than just operating your dealership. Having a financial plan can mean the difference between imagining your dream and actually living it. Comprehensive financial planning consists of:
If you aim to build and preserve wealth, it is more than just choosing investments. You need to carefully strategize to minimize taxes, while adjusting tactics to align with your personal risk tolerance and changing market climates.
Comprehensive financial planning is at the core of Eide Bailly Financial Services. Our team approach includes professionals with expertise in tax, estate and valuation. We'll work closely with you to define and prioritize your goals, then explore strategies and solutions designed to achieve each goal. This ongoing and flexible process will allow you to move through the seasons of life with peace of mind and confidence you'll achieve your dreams.
Transitions can be easy with the right guidance. The process of securing capital, making an acquisition or transferring ownership isn’t easy. But with a road map, you'll have a better chance of a successful outcome. Our dealership professionals can help you create that customized road map so you understand your objectives before you pursue a transaction.
Our advisors can help you with:
Eide Bailly has served the dealership industry for more than 50 years. We know what to expect and how to navigate through the winding roads of transactions. Our clients benefit from our extensive experience with mergers and acquisitions, as well as our personal, attentive service. We'll take the time to listen and understand your needs and, ultimately, help you reach your destination.
Strategic tax planning can create less headaches and more savings in your dealership. Your individual and business net incomes are directly impacted by how you properly manage and plan for tax savings. As your business grows across state or international borders, reporting issues demand more of your attention. You may be questioning:
Understanding the tax implications of entity selection and organization structure, strategies for deferring income or accelerating deductions for tax reporting purposes, and the management of nexus and state reporting requirements can help save you time and money.
We provide you with timely and accurate planning and return preparation of federal and state tax returns. More importantly, we provide strategies and opportunities to minimize your federal and state tax burdens. Our goal is to help you minimize your tax liability. Our tax advisors are active in the development and review of tax legislation and work with you through industry groups to advocate for your needs.
Understanding your dealership as a whole is critical for success. When all parts are operating at peak performance, you can feel confident that your dealership will have a competitive edge. Eide Bailly’s dealership diagnostic test can help detect problems, points of consideration, or areas in which you’re excelling. Learn more about how Eide Bailly’s Dealership Diagnostic Check helped one client save more than $21,000 in taxes and gain a better understanding of their financials.
Eide Bailly is a very professional firm, with staff who really know the auto dealership business. Working with my service provider has helped me better understand accounting procedures important to the success of my dealership. Because of their expertise, Eide Bailly has have saved us money with their ideas and guidance for conducting daily business."
Eide Bailly has remained available to answer questions, review our financials and suggest areas of improvement. They have also been diligent in reviewing our schedules and financials to ensure everything is as it should be. When Eide Bailly notices something that seems off, they always ask intelligent questions to make sure we are protected."
Eide Bailly's automotive expertise sets them apart from other firms. It's very helpful to have specialists available for evaluation, education and training for all aspects of our business."
The new 2023 Fuel Economy Guide is now available. This guide provides detailed fuel economy estimates for model year 2023 light-duty vehicles, along with estimated annual fuel costs and other information for prospective purchasers. Stay in compliance by providing it to your prospective buyers.
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The road to success can be challenging.
Having a team of advisors guiding you on the right path is the key to your success.