The 2025 AICPA Dealership Conference highlighted meaningful shifts in how dealerships are structuring and supporting their accounting functions.
With staffing shortages continuing and financial processes growing more complex, many stores are rethinking how work gets allocated, how information flows and how technology supports accuracy and speed. Dealers are prioritizing more consistent execution, better visibility into daily activity and tools that help teams stay efficient during periods of change.
Below are four of the top accounting takeaways from the conference.
Hybrid Accounting Models
More dealerships are moving to a hybrid structure with on-site office managers supported by centralized processing for AR, AP, deal posting and banking. This approach helps improve accuracy, consistency and staffing flexibility.
Technology to Increase Efficiency
Dealerships are adopting AI, automation and digital exception reporting to help offset talent shortages, streamline routine work and allow teams to focus on higher-value tasks.
Playbooks for Core Accounting Functions
Retirements and turnover continue to pressure staffing. Dealers are creating documented playbooks for key processes to speed onboarding, support cross-training and standardize execution.
Daily “Jump Start” Manager Meetings
Many stores are using 10-minute daily meetings to increase visibility into department issues and receivables. The meeting is mandatory for all managers, and the controller distributes updated receivable schedules every day. The general manager directs the depth of the discussion and the specific issues to be addressed. This promotes accountability, faster escalation and better cash awareness.
How Can Schneider Downs Help?
If your dealership is refining its accounting structure or planning year-end improvements, our team can help you assess your current processes and identify practical opportunities to increase accuracy, efficiency and control. Contact our team at [email protected].
About Schneider Downs Dealership Services
Schneider Downs’ Dealership practice helps single-point stores and multi-location groups strengthen operations, improve profitability, and plan for long-term growth. Our cross-functional team delivers audit and assurance, tax and accounting, risk advisory and cybersecurity, digital innovation (automation, analytics, custom DMS reporting), transaction advisory, forensic accounting, reinsurance advisory, exit and succession planning, and wealth management—led by responsive senior professionals who know the dealership business. We actively contribute across NADA, AICPA dealership forums, and state associations, bringing timely insights and practical guidance to every engagement.
To learn more, visit our dedicated Dealerships page or contact [email protected]
