The Founder's Story

Some dealers may consider accounting less critical than other areas in a dealership. Still, I believe it should be the foremost concern for dealers, and more are realizing this. The first question we are often asked is, "Do you integrate with QuickBooks, DacEasy, Peachtree, or another accounting software?" It becomes even more amusing when we hear, "My accountant wants me to use QuickBooks," or "I use an outside bookkeeper." When we inquire about what this outside bookkeeper uses to prepare their books, the typical response is, "My bank statements." If we ask about capitalizing reconditioning expenses or which automotive chart of accounts they use, the answer is often, "I am not sure; my accountant knows."

I always wish to ask the following questions: "Who owns the business—you or your accountant? If you get sued, who pays—you or your accountant? Who bears the cost if you get audited and penalized for incorrect books? If an error occurs, who is responsible?" These questions are not intended to blame accountants but to highlight to dealers that they should have access to and understanding of their financial information.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, every dealer should obtain a copy of the IRS Examiner Tax Audit Manual to understand IRS expectations better. We took this step and responded by addressing the crucial need for proper accounting management.

AutoDealer Plus has automated most accounting transactions. As you buy and sell cars, your accounts payable and receivable adjust automatically. Invoice additions for reconditioning are seamlessly integrated into your capitalization process, covering both unsold and sold inventory. Customer DMV fees are automatically processed, sales tax responsibilities are managed, and bank account reconciliations are straightforward. Payroll reports can be processed using the same methods your payroll provider uses. BHPH deals are accurately calculated based on simple or add-on terms, with precise interest postings. Comprehensive, auditable accounting reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and payable/receivable reports, are readily available with a click of a button. Every account transaction is logged, allowing detailed audits to track who performed what actions and when including voided and modified transactions.

In essence, owners and managers are in control. They can effectively oversee business activities, identify and address issues, and ensure proper operations. Furthermore, the accounting data also provides valuable statistical reports, helping dealers understand what works best— whether it's the day of the week, car color, or buyer age that proves most profitable. Knowledge is power; driving without a rearview mirror increases the risk of trouble. We provide that rearview mirror and navigation system, ensuring you can confidently conduct your business, knowing where you've been and where you're going. We focus on facts, not sales pitches.

ASN Software frequently trains dealer staff on how to use our software and how to do their jobs better. We have become a valuable resource for owners/employers and employees to learn new skills without embarrassment or fear. I have yet to meet a dealer who enjoys the paperwork involved in this business. Most dealers enjoy buying and selling but prefer to leave the paperwork and other details to their employees or outside services. The main issue that arises is the training and oversight of employees. Lack of owner participation often leads to ignorance of important day-to-day operational details, ultimately costing the owners.

AutoDealer Plus enables employees to enter data relevant to their work-related areas, facilitating smoother operations. The software incorporates checks and balances to identify and expose questionable data entry practices. The fact that most important information is logged and that owners can easily track who did what and when helps dealerships address issues promptly. This accountability system ensures that dealerships can correct any problems and use the insights gained to train employees effectively, enhancing their understanding of the software and their overall performance.

We often hear from new dealer prospects, "I already have most of the sales tools I need." It’s no surprise because once you experience what we offer, you’ll find it hard to settle for less. Our platform provides a comprehensive view of a deal’s structure, options, profit details, and loan information all on a single screen. Warranty and GAP products are fully integrated, eliminating the need for F&I to log into multiple sites or programs for contract processing and monthly reporting. Additionally, ASN Document-Management and our eSign process significantly enhance the efficiency of the F&I department.

We streamline access to critical information, including customer credit, vehicle registration, smog, and history details, all available with a single click. Using raw credit data for credit pulls, we help dealers avoid turn-downs due to budgeting oversights. Our system also allows dealers to verify customer data as entered, preventing issues later due to incorrect information. We understand that details matter and are dedicated to ensuring that your sales staff can operate more efficiently and effectively.

You can hardly read an article or get a phone call from some company reps without hearing acronyms like SEO, SEM, and CRM. As many of you know, numerous self-proclaimed experts in this field are eager to help you—as long as you pay them. Of course, if things don’t work out, they often blame you for not utilizing their advice correctly. You can create a website but must hire several people to manage it. You may have lead providers, but using them increases your workload. While many legitimate and reasonable marketing providers exist, the abundance of noise makes distinguishing the good from the bad difficult. That is why we also took it upon ourselves to automate this area.

Dealers' websites are updated without additional workload as they buy and sell cars. We can manage inventory feeds for our dealers with business accounts with prominent sites such as AutoTrader.com, Cars.com, CarGurus, Edmunds, TrueCar, and numerous other internet partners. For those interested, we have provided an automated posting tool for Craigslist.

We assist dealers in incorporating their email accounts to use their business-owned domain as an email address, utilizing mail servers such as Gmail and Microsoft. It is surprising how often I see ABCAutoSale@Gmail.com when ABCAutoSale.com does not lead to the dealer’s website. Having your business-owned domain name match your email address makes it easier for customers to find you and makes your business appear more professional, not to mention increasing traffic to your website.

We have a lead management system where all leads can be brought into our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application and easily imported into the DMS. Our dealers can use the CRM to prospect and follow up on sales, thereby increasing total sales. These features only scratch the surface of our marketing capabilities; we discuss much more with our serious dealer candidates.

ASN Software's comprehensive suite of tools will increase the competitiveness and profitability of new, used, pre-owned RV, Motorsport, and motorcycle dealerships. Since 2006, we’ve extended our superior ecosystem to support Flooring and Finance company clients, connecting them to our dealer network through our three platforms. ASN LOS and our online payment portals have been instrumental in helping all our clients meet their respective business needs.