1. James L. Dalton, MBA
McDonough, GA 30252
JLDVette@aol.com
(508) 400-0567
Automotive Dealership Controller / Assistant Controller
20+ years of diverse, progressive experience leading accounting and finance teams to greater
productivity, efficiency and proven results, particularly successful within Dealer Controllership roles.
Received an MBA and passed the Illinois CPA exam. Qualifications include:
• Multiple Company/ Automotive Dealership
Accounting, Controllership, and Financial
Reporting
• GAAP, Reconciliation, FET, VIT, Sales Tax
• Finance, Budgeting & Cost Management
• Extensive DMS experience including CDK
software
• Team Building & Relationship Management
• Previous Controller duties managing a team of
up to 12 in multi-location shared services
environments
• Visionary Leadership
• Entrepreneurial Drive & Vision
• Continuous Improvement
• Cash Flow Management
• Financial Analysis
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Staff Training & Development
• Project Management
• Contract Negotiations
Proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Reynolds, ADP/CDK, Talon and
Dealer Track
Professional Experience
Consultant & Day Trader 8/2018 – Present
Assist Dealerships with accounting, procedural and operational issues.
PRESTON CYCLES WEST, Morrow, GA
Controller 5/2017 – 8/2018
Managed all the functions of the Office; A/R, A/P, billing, cash management, month-end close, Financial
Statements, forecasting, payroll, taxes, reporting and staff development. At one point I also oversaw the
accounting for our sister store in Elgin, SC until a new Controller came on board.
ROYAL GATE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, St. Louis, MO
Controller 2011 – 10/2016
Responsible for directing all the activities of 2 accounting offices, 1 in Columbia, IL and 1 in Ellisville, MO.
Managed all the accounting functions; GL, A/R, A/P, billing, recordkeeping, payroll, month-end close,
preparing the financial statements and submitting the financial statements to interested parties. Directly
managed 2 Office Managers and 10 support staff. DMS environment: Reynolds and CDK.
• Directly interacted with auditors from; banks, insurers, state and federal agencies and our accounting
firm.
• Reduced the audit time to review and compile the year-end financials and improved the balance
sheet account reconciliations.
• Assisted Owner in securing alternative financing.
• Assisted in daily cash management and forecasting.
BUSINESSPERSONS BETWEEN JOBS (BBJ) 2009 – 2011
• Serve on and perform as: Emcee, New Member Orientation Presenter, Resume Review
Committee
DAY TRADER (Independent) 2008 – 2011

2. • Utilized financial and other related skills to embark on various trading platforms and endeavors
during financial crisis that affected auto industry as a whole.
LOU FUSZ MOTOR COMPANY, St. Louis, MO
Controller 2007 – 2008
Recruited by CFO to assist 2 General Managers and to manage the accounting offices of 2 stores and
determine if the offices could be merged into one reducing staff and personnel expenses. Responsible
for all accounting functions from GL, A/R, A/P, recordkeeping through month-end close and preparing the
financial statements. Directly managed 2 Office Managers and 15 support staff.
• Realigned organizational structure by merging 2 offices, reducing 3 FTE’s and eliminated $100,000
per year of personnel expenses.
• Redesigned general ledger accounts for Kia store into a format like GM’s chart of accounts. Project
was started and completed while closing FY books. New account structure allowed easier store
comparisons and merging of financial statements.
• Designed a month-end closing schedule and check list. Shared information with management and all
accounting support reducing month-end close time by 2-3 days.
• Reviewed, redesigned and implemented new purchase order system in 2 stores.
CLAIR MOTORS, West Roxbury, MA 2001 – 2006
General Manager 2006
Promoted to General Manager to manage transition phase of new acquisition. Responsible for evaluating
and directing all day-to-day operations toward building revenues and profits while waiting for approval by
GM to relocate store. Recruited, trained and led staff of 30 personnel including 5 department managers.
• Grew new vehicle sales gross revenue and units sold by more than 100% monthly. This was
accomplished by creating new sales compensation plans, reviewing and changing advertising focus,
implementing department forecasting, reviewing forecasts with management and holding
management accountable for results.
• Delivered an increase in Service gross revenue of more than 14%. Grew revenues by reviewing and
changing advertising, implementing departmental forecasts and cold calling on new business
opportunities
• Led management team through acquisition phase, installing new processes and procedures,
evaluated personnel and improved departmental relationships.
• Designed and implemented a new vehicle check-in list and procedure which eliminated confusion
regarding vehicle’s status and reduced the time to process new vehicles arriving from the
manufacturer. Procedure and check-in list were so effective that both were modified to accommodate
used vehicles taken in on trade and arriving from auction.
CLAIR TOYOTA & CLAIR BUICK-JEEP
Assistant Controller 2001 – 2006
Recruited by CFO to manage all the office accounting functions for 3 stores/companies consisting of 7
franchises. Recruited, trained and managed 15 direct reports. DMS environment: CDK.
• Reduced overhead expenses by $2-4,000/month by evaluating and training personnel, improving
processes and procedures, and developing a month-end schedule and check list.
• Eliminated 2-3 days in the month-end close process by further developing personnel, scheduling and
following up on status of month-end tasks, restructuring processes, improving the DMS and
communicating and working with management about month-end concerns.
• Improved accuracy and reliability of accounting records and reports by reviewing accounts at month-
end with staff and making any adjustments before each month was closed. Results were achieved by
assigning accounts to each staff member based on area of responsibility and expertise. This resulted
in an excellent working relationship with the staff and improved moral.
• Received Business Management Guild Award 4 consecutive years from Porsche for reporting timely
and accurate results each month to the manufacturer.
• Created new general ledger account structure and departmental reports to improve the evaluation of
departmental financial performance for Clair International. Project consisted of developing new GL

3. chart of accounts for 4 franchises, each consisting of 4 departments. Reports and new GL structure
aided owners and management in evaluating financial performance of each department and
comparing like departments.
Education:
• Illinois State University MBA, Business
• Illinois State University BS, Finance
• NADA Dealer Academy General Manager Program
Other Activities:
Henry County Toastmasters, Member & Sargent of Arms 2018-Present
Crossroads Toastmasters, Charter Member ACB, ALB, Speech Contest Winner 2009 – 2017
• Have served in ALL Officer roles 2009 – 2017
Competitive Speakers – STL, Charter Member 2016 - 2017