Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

Conduct audits to verify fees paid by franchisees to International Dairy Queen (IDQ) are accurate and in accordance with the terms of its agreements. Ensure franchisee compliance of other corporate policies such as trademark usage, consistency of product composition, preparation, presentation, and distribution to consumers. Provide cross-functional support to key projects utilizing knowledge of the business and finance and accounting skillset.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Responsible for executing all assigned franchise audits. Compile and analyze data.  Work with internal and external clients to ensure the collection of accurate and complete data and the timely and efficient completion of the audit.

• Conduct audits to ensure accuracy of fees paid by franchisees. Analyze franchisee data to determine compliance with contractual provisions.  Understand Dairy Queen brand recipes and develop methods to reconstruct hypothetical sales based on volume of products purchased by franchisees.

• Conduct one-on-one meetings with franchisees to deliver audit results and discuss recommendations to improve contractual compliance and business results.

• Manage, review, perform and approve testing procedures and apply functional expertise towards identified processes within the Dairy Queen business to ensure accounting and operational practices are performed with accuracy and integrity.  Effectively communicate recommendations for improvement.

• Assess, negotiate, and collect additional royalties and advertising fees due to IDQ Companies.  Defuse difficult conversations effectively by gaining the franchisees trust with your vast knowledge of audit and the Dairy Queen brand.

• Review franchisee contracts and effectively interpret the language to the franchisee or their appointed representative in accordance with IDQ Companies policies and procedures.  

• Protect the Dairy Queen brand and its image by upholding trademarks and verifying proper use of approved products, recipes, and product prep procedures.

• Utilize experience and knowledge of the system to serve as an expert to franchisees and in-house business partners as it relates to restaurant performance, key indicators of sales trends, analysis of franchisee financial records, development of tools used by franchisees and the use of internal systems such as the DQ HUB. Develop financial and operational goals for franchisees and IDQ Business Consultants to improve bottom line profitability.
• Make recommendations for improvements, including the design and testing of new procedures relating to the department’s information processing, audit procedures, and new methods to achieve the department’s objectives.  Implement changes when appropriate.
• Document and maintain all departmental procedures to be utilized as a reference manual for all auditors. 
• Promote continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Promote DQ Core values that shape our culture and make positive difference with our teams, the DQ system and in our communities.
• Perform other related duties and special project as assigned.

Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance or equivalent business degree strongly preferred.
• Five years of relevant auditing and accounting experience
• Three years of prior restaurant experience preferred
• Experience in data analytics and data visualization tools
• Experience working within a franchisor organization preferred
• Creative thinker who can develop innovative ideas
• Ability to build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with both internal and external clients
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate audit results to franchisees
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects and requests simultaneously
• Excellent negotiation skills with the ability to defuse conflict
• Well organized with a high attention to detail and accuracy 
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to work in varied environments while on the road completing an audit
• Ability to coordinate with other departments (Operations, R&D and Legal) to complete projects on time
• Strong knowledge of restaurant operations preferred
• Professional certification (e.g., CPA, CIA, CISA) or working towards a professional certification preferred
• Ability to travel 10% per year to stores for audits
• Ability to work evenings and occasionally weekends, as necessary
• Ability to attend in-person full immersion program, which includes a 2 to 3 week franchisee training onsite in one of our training stores

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Benefits

Benefit package includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, employer paid basic life insurance, short and long-term disability, paid sick and vacation, 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, wellness challenges and more!

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion for all who touch DQ.  We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work; where we recruit, engage and retain employees, franchise owners and suppliers with diverse background and identities; and where everyone feels welcome engaging with our DQ brand.

IDQ is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values the strength diversity brings to the workplace. IDQ participates in the US E-Verify program.  You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.