Auto Dealerships

Strengthen your dealership with a strategic business partner.

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Transforming dealerships for market disruptions 

In today’s market, dealerships and other automotive industry participants must meet the new challenges of an entirely transformed environment. But transformation is nothing new in the auto dealership industry. Now more than ever you need a team who can provide insights on what changing regulations and market disruptions mean, and the financial practices that will prepare you to adapt and stay ahead of the curve. 

Whether it’s market consolidation, shifting buyer journeys, Environmental Social Governance (ESG) modifications, regulation reform or the switch to electric vehicles, there is a revolving door of issues that can challenge even the most experienced dealerships, rental centers and other automotive retail businesses. However, when you have a business advisor who can provide the reliable, data-driven insights you need to reinforce overall financial practices and meet changing demands, you’ll be ready for what’s next. 

With decades of industry experience, BDO can help position your dealership to take advantage of emerging trends and set a strategic course for a promising future. As you move your business forward, you can rely on us for the critical advice you need to build resilience for the road ahead.

 

How BDO Can Help

Who We Serve

We work with dealerships of all sizes and sectors. 

Automotive Dealerships


Motorcycle & Power Sports Dealers  


RV Dealers


Rental & Fleet Operations


Experience You Can Count On

We provide world-class audit, tax and advisory services to dealerships ranging from single-point dealerships to regional and national franchises. Through every market evolution, our experienced professionals have helped clients adapt and strengthen tax strategies while maintaining regulatory compliance and managing risks. 

  • Financial reporting — Our professionals and digital audit suite can provide step-by-step advice that put you in control of your P&L.
  • Compliance and business consulting — We’ve helped dealerships navigate changing regulations and legislation through countless political administrations. 
  • Cash flow and internal controls — From transactional flow analysis to establishing best practices, we can help you manage operations and safeguard assets to drive greater margins.  
  • Dealership sales and M&A — Planning to buy, sell or transfer ownership? We have the valuation, due diligence and buy-sell experience you need. 
  • Online marketing strategies — With increasing competition from online buying services, your digital marketing strategies need to be razor sharp. We can help you stay relevant and out front.

Auto Dealership Insights

Explore our most recent resources and thought leadership.

Article

Newly Updated FTC Safeguard Rules & The Impact To Dealerships

‎November‎ ‎13‎, ‎2022
Article

Newly Updated FTC Safeguard Rules & The Impact To Dealerships

‎November‎ ‎13‎, ‎2022

Auto dealerships have plethora of business-related items to deal with on a dayto-day basis.

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Article

States’ PTE Tax Elections: Status and Issues to Consider for Dealerships

‎November‎ ‎13‎, ‎2022
Article

States’ PTE Tax Elections: Status and Issues to Consider for Dealerships

‎November‎ ‎13‎, ‎2022

Nearly 30 states now allow pass-through entities to elect to be taxed at the entity level as a workaround to the $10,000 federal state and local tax deduction limitation known as the “SALT cap.”

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Article

Dealerships and Unclaimed Property – What You Need to Know

‎November‎ ‎13‎, ‎2022
Article

Dealerships and Unclaimed Property – What You Need to Know

‎November‎ ‎13‎, ‎2022

Across the country, states are conducting unclaimed property audits of dealerships. Whether an item may be considered unclaimed property often requires a review of the dealership’s policies and procedures, as well as an understanding of how those items are recorded by the dealership.

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Article

Potential Tax Benefits of Capital Investments for Auto Dealerships

‎August‎ ‎16‎, ‎2022
Article

Potential Tax Benefits of Capital Investments for Auto Dealerships

‎August‎ ‎16‎, ‎2022

Auto dealers are navigating unprecedented market conditions, and most are experiencing an improved bottom line and healthier cash flow.

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Article

A Value Perspective on the Auto Dealership Industry

‎August‎ ‎16‎, ‎2022
Article

A Value Perspective on the Auto Dealership Industry

‎August‎ ‎16‎, ‎2022

The automotive industry is constantly evolving and is once again at a critical inflection point as businesses seek to adapt to changing consumer preferences, navigate supply chain uncertainty, and revolutionize their technology.

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Article

Proposed Relief for Dealerships Using LIFO

‎June‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022
Article

Proposed Relief for Dealerships Using LIFO

‎June‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022

The supply chain for many U.S. companies was disrupted due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and inventory levels at the end of 2020 and 2021 were significantly reduced. As a result, many companies using the last in, first out (LIFO) inventory method experienced an involuntary liquidation of their LIFO layers.

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Article

Prepare to Shift – Adding Electric Vehicle Infrastructure For Today’s Automotive Retailers

‎June‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022
Article

Prepare to Shift – Adding Electric Vehicle Infrastructure For Today’s Automotive Retailers

‎June‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022

With automotive OEM’s expanding their Electric Vehicle (EV) offerings with ever more attractive models and range extending capabilities that allow consumers to drive ever farther, the market is poised for significant growth.

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Article

The War For Talent: Do Dealerships Stand A Chance?

‎June‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022
Article

The War For Talent: Do Dealerships Stand A Chance?

‎June‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022

According to the 2021 Cox Automotive Dealership Research & Market Intelligence Staffing Study, sixty four percent of the 400 individuals working for companies outside the auto industry stated they did NOT want to work in an automobile dealership.

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Article

The Rise of Electric Vehicles

‎February‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022
Article

The Rise of Electric Vehicles

‎February‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022

The automotive industry is experiencing a convergence of disruptions unlike any seen since 1910. Autonomous, connectivity, electrification, mobility, and subscription business models are reshaping the automotive industry and creating a frenzy of activity.

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Article

Renewable Energy Tax Credits for Dealerships

‎February‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022
Article

Renewable Energy Tax Credits for Dealerships

‎February‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022

The case for sustainability — and for sustainable business — has been building on a global stage for many years. A growing number of consumers are taking into consideration the environmental impact of not only their purchases, but also the businesses from which they are buying.

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Article

Driving Profits Newsletter

‎February‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022
Article

Driving Profits Newsletter

‎February‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022

Success in the dealership industry depends on adapting to ever-changing external factors.

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Article

Why Dealerships Must Prioritize Cybersecurity

‎February‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022
Article

Why Dealerships Must Prioritize Cybersecurity

‎February‎ ‎20‎, ‎2022

Every business, no matter what line of work they are in, needs to secure their data and do everything they can to prevent accidental leakage or malicious attacks.

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Article

The Impact of the Digitally Driven Buying Experience on Dealerships

‎October‎ ‎13‎, ‎2021
Article

The Impact of the Digitally Driven Buying Experience on Dealerships

‎October‎ ‎13‎, ‎2021

The impact of digital is creating a dramatic shift to a new normal in traditional automotive retailing.

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Article

How to Prepare to Sell Your Dealership

‎October‎ ‎13‎, ‎2021
Article

How to Prepare to Sell Your Dealership

‎October‎ ‎13‎, ‎2021

If you are an owner contemplating selling one or more of your stores, there are several steps you should take first before you even pick up the phone to call a broker.

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Article

Ransomware at Dealerships

‎October‎ ‎13‎, ‎2021
Article

Ransomware at Dealerships

‎October‎ ‎13‎, ‎2021

Dealerships are relying on their cyber infrastructure now more than ever as one of the most pervasive and devastating cyberattack vectors as ransomware continues to gain popularity among attackers.

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Article

How the Auto Industry Can Meet Disruption and Innovate with Industry 4.0

‎October‎ ‎3‎, ‎2021
Article

How the Auto Industry Can Meet Disruption and Innovate with Industry 4.0

‎October‎ ‎3‎, ‎2021

The automobile industry is undergoing widespread transformation.

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Stay current with our latest auto dealership insights.

Meet Our Auto Dealership Industry Leaders

Together, we thrive.

Everything we do is rooted in our core purpose to help people thrive every day. It’s not only the right business thing to do; it’s the right human thing to do. This starts by putting our people at the center of our work and extends to how we treat and value our people, our clients and our communities. With a dedication to quality and a purpose-driven culture, BDO offers a powerful choice both for clients and those seeking rewarding professional careers.

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