[CL typeS]

Long story short, I've a designated accountant, all my career 13+ I've been in industry doing finance and accounting for construction, logistics, retail restoration, banking industries.

I'm miserable at work but find the salary and perks hard to leave. But now, I'm at a point in my life where I can try and find an industry I am interested in, cars, and see how I can apply my professional skills there.

Anybody can offer any insight to the finance manager roles at dealerships? Would my skill set even translate over? Hows the compensation structure usually? Expected to work evenings and weekends?

Thanks in advance for taking the time.

[Badhobz]

All the finance managers I’ve dealt with were bitches. Not sure what they make but it seems just like : run credit checks, facilitate applications, try and sell some extra trash like extended warranty, paint protection etc.

Pretty brainless job. Doesn’t seem fun at all

[68style]

I won't comment on what they do, I think there are different levels within the team... but I know one guy who is a finance manager and he is ballin so the pay structure can't be that bad!

[jcmaz]

Your work schedule is similar to sales. The finance guys are glorified sales advisors who sell additional warranty packages, ceramic coating, etc.. while lumping it into the monthly payment. So you will work evenings and weekends.

EX, it's only $30 more a month for Toyota extended warranty.

Finance manager is one of the gravy positions in the dealership so it's very difficult to get in.

[donk.]

Be expected to sell extended warranty packages+add ons to customers.
And if the customer says no, you try and sell it again, then they say no, so you just include the warranty package on their bill anyways, then when they ask why the warranty is on there, you try to upsell again

Cough, finance manager at Port Alberni GM, Cough

[trollface]

If you have morals or ethics, u won't make it.

[lowside67]

Long story short, I've a designated accountant, all my career 13+ I've been in industry doing finance and accounting for construction, logistics, retail restoration, banking industries.

I'm miserable at work but find the salary and perks hard to leave. But now, I'm at a point in my life where I can try and find an industry I am interested in, cars, and see how I can apply my professional skills there.

Anybody can offer any insight to the finance manager roles at dealerships? Would my skill set even translate over? Hows the compensation structure usually? Expected to work evenings and weekends?

Thanks in advance for taking the time.
Also, I would not expect that an interest in cars is going to have ANY relevance at all to shoving an extended warranty onto a minivan for a single mom.

If you think of yourself as a people person with good communication and sales skills, I would highly suggest you consider learning a little bit about commercial banking. I am a CPA as well and figured out pretty early on that being an accountant was pretty structured and not very lucrative - the same financial toolkit can earn you a lot more if you take a role with a sales target.

I was a commercial banker for 6 years and actually thoroughly enjoyed the job - I made the move to the wealth side of the business for long time career trajectory reasons but staying as a commercial banker and moving through the roles there still would have earned me a very good living with increasing responsibility.

If you want to talk to me or would like to be connected with another BMO commercial banker, you can PM me and I'll find somebody for you to have a coffee with.

-Mark

[bcrdukes]

If you have morals or ethics, u won't make it.

Is this why you work at Wendy's? :(

[Traum]

Also, I would not expect that an interest in cars is going to have ANY relevance at all to shoving an extended warranty onto a minivan for a single mom.
As far as I can tell, the only 2 car-related perks that a car dealership finance manager would be able to get are:

- the on-going opportunity to drive different models of the dealership's cars
- access to the dealership auto group's employee pricing

A friend has been working as the finance manager for a major auto group probably for 15+ years now, and he had used his employee pricing quota multiple times.

But that was all before COVID. Given how the vehicle sales landscape has changed since COVID / Ukraine war, I am not even sure whether they'd still be entitled to this sort of employment perk.

[Traum]

Anybody can offer any insight to the finance manager roles at dealerships? Would my skill set even translate over? Hows the compensation structure usually? Expected to work evenings and weekends?

Your compensation is absolutely related to the number of sales you can make, and you will be working evenings and weekends because you'll basically need to be there when you are closing the sale with the customer (on vehicle delivery day).

My finance manager friend is able to negotiate with his store manager to avoid working on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings because he needs to attend religious services during those times, but I feel like it would be more difficult to use other personal reasons to avoid working on specific days on a recurring basis.

[whitev70r]

Wow ... sounds like the grass is DEFINITELY not greener on the side of dealership.

[trollface]

Is this why you work at Wendy's? :(

I serve all my clients ethically.

[GLOW]

i read that as ethnically :lol

[dachinesedude]

how do you even get into a finance manager role in a dealership without prior experience in sales?

it is really just a sales role, i'm a cpa too so i don't see how our skillset translates whatsoever

[noclue]

You're better off joining the financial operations of the group that owns the dealership such as openroad or dilwari etc with a CPA

[Gerbs]

@OP
On a side note, what do you think the range of CPA's in Vancouver are making after 5 / 10 / 20 years of work experience? CPABC is reporting $116K median salary across all of BC and $180K after 20 years. But I do not see any roles that are paying this upper band anywhere aside from Big 4.

You're better off joining the financial operations of the group that owns the dealership such as openroad or dilwari etc with a CPA

Connected with a controller at one of the big groups @ Open road / destination / Etc and they said that the job sucks if you expect it to merge your hobbies of cars and work. It's a ton of work, underpaid vs sales, and not many car related things you can do. Said you're better off making more money and doing car related things with that money. Which leads to what lowside mentioned, you gotta take your CPA and go to sale side if you wanna make money to unlock all the fun cars / trackdays.

I creeped someone on LinkedIn recently that transitioned from a Vancouver company to Mclaren's F1 racing team in their finance and accounting department. That could be a move that could merge your hobby of cars + CPA. Looks like it pays a lot too since it's in London.


Finance manager is one of the gravy positions in the dealership so it's very difficult to get in.

At my friends Toyota Dealership, he said his FSM's make around $120 - 260K depending on your selling performance. They stay till after hours waiting for clients to close on their sales. Or come in super early to make sure they can sell the warranties in the morning too. He said they work longer hours than his sales / sales managers. He doesn't expect the gravy to end for Toyota due to the long waitlists. He said it's a super protected position since they make so much, so it'd be hard to get in without knowing a GM / Sales manager.


If you have morals or ethics, u won't make it.

I saw them commit fraud on the finance application to get a lower rate / approval lol

[dachinesedude]

@OP
On a side note, what do you think the range of CPA's in Vancouver are making after 5 / 10 / 20 years of work experience? CPABC is reporting $116K median salary across all of BC and $180K after 20 years. But I do not see any roles that are paying this upper band anywhere aside from Big 4.

take this for a grain of salt; salary ranges vary wildly across industries

$180K is not far fetch if you get to a Director of Finance level in the private sector, vs. public sector which will only about pay around $120K for the same level

the mining and energy sector is generally the sector that pays the most if we are talking accounting and FP&A roles

[trollface]

I saw them commit fraud on the finance application to get a lower rate / approval lol

That's just business as usual.

[ssjGoku69]

it is really just a sales role, i'm a cpa too so i don't see how our skillset translates whatsoever

It's a sales, wait, no, "solution selling" skill set, so the only way I can see it being translated is if CL Type S has the stuff to make to be a Partner in public practice, then it could translate to selling financing, warranties, and add-ons by flexing his charisma and conversational skills.


As someone working in public practice accounting, coworkers here around 10 years of experience are making around $120-140k+ depending on the individual's performance and ambition

[Klobbersaurus]

I know a girl thats a CPA and shes jumped back and forth between firms and is now making 250k but she puts in long hours

[donk.]

Money means nothing without hours attached to them

[Klondike]

All the finance managers I’ve dealt with were bitches. Not sure what they make but it seems just like : run credit checks, facilitate applications, try and sell some extra trash like extended warranty, paint protection etc.

Pretty brainless job. Doesn’t seem fun at all

I used to be a lot guy and had a finance manager yell at me for something I didn't do.

He fucked up big time cus he didn't know we were unionized and immediately got his ass handed to him :lol

[g-velocity]

Finance manager is the most money making position in the whole dealership.
A decent finance manager makes average 150g to 250g per year and I have seen someone made over half a mil in a year by being an absolute crook.
Being an accountant does very little to the box office.
A finance manager needs to get people approved and sell F&I products to be successful.

[Gerbs]

As a CPA, I'm at low 100k at 6 years into the public practice path. Coworkers here around 10 years of experience are making around $120-140k+ depending on the individual performance and if they have their own clients. i.e. sales work.

Apparently public got a big bump in 2023.

When I graduated in 2019 / 2020, starting was $40 - 45K/year. Friend in 4th year got offered for 2024 start date at $57K at big 4 :lawl:

Apparently seniors are all around $80 - 95K band now before bonus. When it was like $55 - 70K pre 2022. I was shooketh to hear managers making sub $100K pre-bump.

Money means nothing without hours attached to them

I'd say 50% of them work at least 2,500 - 3,000 hours a year at public, so most CPAs work for that sweet $16 - 20/hour when they first start and graduate to $40/hour. Everyone praying for that late game boost.

On the other hand, all my friends who work in private are clearing $90 - 130K working like 5 - 20 hours a week. With a full 30 - 50hr at month-end.

[RabidRat]

Long story short, I've a designated accountant, all my career 13+ I've been in industry doing finance and accounting for construction, logistics, retail restoration, banking industries.

I'm miserable at work but find the salary and perks hard to leave. But now, I'm at a point in my life where I can try and find an industry I am interested in, cars, and see how I can apply my professional skills there.

Anybody can offer any insight to the finance manager roles at dealerships? Would my skill set even translate over? Hows the compensation structure usually? Expected to work evenings and weekends?

Thanks in advance for taking the time.

Dude, no!

Your problem statement is that you're miserable at your job because you don't give a damn about the context of the work. So much so that you're willing to put money and perks aside in priority. In order to move into the automotive industry which you actually do give a damn about. Right?

First off, the Finance Manager role at a dealership has zero relation to your professional skillset. It's a sales job, which is an entirely different expertise, and really it's not the role that taps into a passion for cars: you're selling extended warranties, not even the actual car. Everybody on this thread who is telling you you'd make bank, is missing your point. You weren't doing it for the money, or you wouldn't have said what you said.

No. You're a CPA with 13 years of experience. For fuck's sake, you should at least be looking at something more like this:
https://careers.multimatic.com/?career_id=3722
Multimatic
Financial Analyst
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Financial Analyst will assist the Controller in the assessment of company performance by studying and analysis of financial and operational data. They will be expected to act as a catalyst in the continuous improvement process by supplying analytical support to the operational areas.
[...]

QUALIFICATIONS:
[...] CPA designation [...]


You know what Multimatic makes? The Mk2 Ford GT. And other cool shit like the spool valve damper systems on the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Purosangue.

It's a move to Toronto, but the upside is then you can hang out with bcrdukes. ;)

Now, if you're willing to move down to the states on a TN visa (instant US work authorization under NAFTA: you're a CPA):

https://careers.rivian.com/careers-home/jobs/12995?lang=en-us
Rivian
Senior Analyst, Strategic Finance
Role Summary
In the role of Senior Analyst, Strategic Finance you will be responsible for building detailed bottoms-up financial models, managing the long-range plan of the organization, conducting ad-hoc research and business case modeling—including business units, facilities planning, vertical integration, and more to help support Rivian’s strategic and financial objectives.

This will be an integral role within the Corporate Finance and Strategy teams. You will work closely across Rivian’s finance, strategy, sales, operations, product, and engineering teams to help forecast our business and drive strategic initiatives.

[...]

Qualifications
[...]
Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or a related field;
[...]


Strategic fucking Finance, at Rivian. How badass would that be?

Seriously dude. Open your mind, think of the possibilities. 13 years later you're finally willing to come out of your comfort zone, go BIG!

[Badhobz]

I don’t know what I like more. Rats beastwars avatar or his insightful and poignant posts.

Legit !!!

[mb_]

Your skillset, experience, education sounds more suitable for a role of a Controller in a dealership or auto group than Finance Manager. Most of the finance managers I know and worked with usually came from sales and insurance.

[bcrdukes]

As Badhobz once said, 'Own your own stupidity! Double down on that shit!"

Or see my signature. :D

[RabidRat]

I don’t know what I like more. Rats beastwars avatar or his insightful and poignant posts.

Legit !!!

Hey thanks for the kind words. :)

It's a combination of a delirious lack of sleep thanks to my kiddo (it's why I'm posting at all hours), and my job actually [ironically] turning into a bit of a sales job.

Selling people on a vision. Whether it's a product feature, resourcing plan, or a development roadmap. Asking entire orgs to concede by appealing to the promise of something greater in return. Building a common dream for more. And having a proven record to back that up. So you can see how I've gotten in the habit of typing like this. (My job description says I should shut up and get back to drawing schematics.)

[Gerbs]

Now, if you're willing to move down to the states on a TN visa (instant US work authorization under NAFTA: you're a CPA):

https://careers.rivian.com/careers-home/jobs/12995?lang=en-us
Rivian
Senior Analyst, Strategic Finance


Strategic fucking Finance, at Rivian. How badass would that be?

Seriously dude. Open your mind, think of the possibilities. 13 years later you're finally willing to come out of your comfort zone, go BIG!

You're changing my mind on America. I was always told how hard it was to get a TN visa even for software engineers so I never looked at it. Wow, that'd be so sick if I could move to Cali / Washington / NY with like 5-8years of experience + CPA.

[RabidRat]

You're changing my mind on America. I was always told how hard it was to get a TN visa even for software engineers so I never looked at it. Wow, that'd be so sick if I could move to Cali / Washington / NY with like 5-8years of experience + CPA.

Nah, getting the TN visa itself is easy.

The TN visa (FYI technically a status not a visa, but practically referred to as a visa anyway) is granted at the US port of entry just like your typical B1/B2. You bring:

Offer letter, with additional supporting details that corroborate the link between your qualifications and the job role.
Degree & professional designation support documents.

That offer / supporting letter needs to follow a specific set of criteria, and if it's too big a stretch btwn your / TN allowable qualifications vs the job role, then I suppose that could be grounds for denial. But I wouldn't worry about this if you're applying to any medium+ size firm because they retain legal teams that are super experienced preparing these kinds of letters, and know all the nuances around how to make it work.

The other reason you could be denied is if you get a real jerk at the border and they refuse you on the grounds that it seems like you have immigration intent (the TN status is strictly non-immigration intent (your work will sponsor your application for an immigration-intent H1B visa immediately afterwards)). But the legal folks will advise you on what to say, and what kind of additional supporting documents to bring if any.

As for applying to jobs and getting an offer, I suppose YMMV based on macroeconomic conditions and your industry's specifics. But I personally didn't find my ratio of job application : phone interview : on-site interview : job offer to be lower than in Canada.


SF Bay Area / LA / San Diego / Seattle in aggregate was like 200:20:8:3?
Toronto was maybe 20:1:1:1.
Vancouver I think like 100:5:2:1.

I think at 5-8 years experience you're in a pretty good sweet spot. You're experienced enough to differentiate yourself (imo especially if you're applying to a niche company that you can exude genuine enthusiasm for during an interview), and not so settled in your life that it's hard to leave and start on a new adventure.

[underscore]

The other reason you could be denied is if you get a real jerk at the border and they refuse you on the grounds that it seems like you have immigration intent

Anecdotal but I find the US agents at YVR tend to be a lot pickier than the ones in Alberta. I went through a bunch of hassle to get the right Visa (my designation doesn't fall under the TN unfortunately) and they still give me a hard time every time I go.

[RabidRat]

Yeah, could be that YVR port of entry is stricter than others (I was moving from Toronto at the time so I went through YYZ, and they were really chill).

@Gerbs, possibly the other reason you heard of a lot about software engineers having a hard time, is that they might actually have Computer Science degrees, which isn't as easy to match to the closest acceptable job type which is Engineer under the TN (they're kinda literal). I imagine you could've run into a similar thing if you had e.g. a BCom or BBA going for an Accounting job, as neither degree literally spells out "Accounting", but you do have that CPA and I think that is enough for them, per:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TN_status#Recognized_TN_professions

The legal folks might actually have to re-write the job title for a Finance role though, to fit the TN framework, like FP&A Accountant or something.

edit: ok cool n/m, found a Reddit post from someone who got a Financial Analyst job with a BCom, applied for a TN visa under "Accountant" and got through. They didn't even have a CPA. They went through YYZ, fwiw.
https://www.reddit.com/r/tnvisa/comments/won5ui/tn_visa_approved_at_pearson_ama/

Do ittt! Move to NYC and start a new Revscene chapter there! :)

[68style]

I don't know, the last guy who purported to be posting from the USA was a wee bit lost in his own world on a variety of subjects... something in the water down there :)

[RabidRat]

:lol I don't get it, are you skeptical they were actually posting from the states, or skeptical about drinking the water down there, which is it?

In any case, yeah that is a risk. :)

[68style]

He was apparently from Chicago, showed up to call us all snowflakes and tell us white people are suffering and then left lol

[Badhobz]

you mean that non binary / tranny / conservative / depressed / cop!? what a mouth full.

[RabidRat]

Wasn't that TheSeven or something?! I remember him posting some pretty disturbing stuff in the Relationship & Gender forum. More than a decade later I can't un-remember. :(