Finance and Accounting Manager

Reports to: Head of Finance and Operations

About Princeton University Store

Princeton University Store is an independent, self-sustaining retail organization serving students, alums, families, faculty, staff, and visitors through physical stores, e-commerce, and event-based retail. The store plays an important role in the Princeton experience while operating as a complex retail business with multiple revenue streams, high transaction volume, and a growing need for stronger systems, reporting, and operating discipline.

We are continuing to strengthen the business for the future. We are seeking a highly capable Finance and Accounting Manager who can bring rigor, sound judgment, and modern financial discipline to a dynamic retail environment. This is an opportunity to join during an important period of operational improvement and help build a stronger, more scalable finance function in support of a distinctive business and community.

Position Summary

The Finance and Accounting Manager is responsible for the day-to-day accounting and financial operations of Princeton University Store. This role ensures accurate financial record-keeping, strong internal controls, timely vendor payments, disciplined reconciliation processes, and dependable financial reporting. Reporting to the Head of Finance and Operations, the Finance and Accounting Manager will play a critical, hands-on role in maintaining a well-run finance function to support a growing, increasingly complex retail business.

This position has broad exposure across the business and is central to monthly close, accounts payable, cash and sales reconciliation, inventory and costing support, payroll backup, compliance, and reporting support. It also requires strong comfort with systems, analytics, and practical technology use, including the ability to improve workflow efficiency, reduce manual work, strengthen reporting accuracy, and support better decision-making through thoughtful use of modern tools.

The ideal candidate combines strong accounting discipline with a proactive, service-oriented mindset. We are seeking someone who works with precision, handles sensitive financial matters with maturity and discretion, and is energized by the opportunity to improve processes and help modernize a meaningful retail organization.

Key Responsibilities

Manage monthend close activities, including journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules
Maintain accurate and timely general ledger activity and ensure the integrity of financial data
Analyze monthly results, identify variances and issues, and support followup actions and reporting
Oversee accounts payable processes to ensure invoices and expenses are processed accurately and on time
Strategically schedule vendor payments in alignment with vendor terms, cash flow needs, and business cycles
Review and approve payments to ensure proper documentation, coding, and policy compliance
Resolve vendor issues, including credit holds, statement discrepancies, and payment questions
Lead daily cash and sales audit processes, including reconciliation of deposits, credit card activity, and pointofsale transactions
Monitor transaction variances and ensure prompt investigation and resolution
Oversee credit card batch settlement and reconciliation to bank activity and sales records
Partner with merchandising, receiving, and operations teams to maintain accurate product costs in NetSuite and related systems
Review inventory transactions and costing activity to support accurate financial reporting and cost of goods sold
Support financeside inventory analysis, margin review, and opentobuy reporting in partnership with the Head of Finance and Operations and merchandising leaders
Oversee bank account and credit card reconciliations and resolve discrepancies on a timely basis
Assist with budgets, forecasts, reforecasts, variance analysis, and ongoing reporting needs
Serve as backup support for payrollrelated processing and employee data administration in Paychex and related systems
Prepare and file applicable taxes, including state use tax, New Jersey litter control tax, and other required filings
Coordinate documentation and support for the annual audit and other compliance needs
Identify opportunities to improve finance workflows through stronger systems use, process improvement, automation, analytics, and thoughtful application of AIenabled tools where appropriate
Partner with the Head of Finance and Operations on implementation, testing, documentation, adoption, and stabilization of financerelated systems improvements

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
Minimum of five years of progressive accounting experience required
Experience in a retail, multilocation, consumer products, or highvolume transaction environment strongly preferred
Handson NetSuite ERP proficiency is required. This is a nonnegotiable qualification for the role, and candidates without meaningful NetSuite experience will not be considered
Strong experience with ERP systems in a finance and accounting environment
Advanced Excel skills, including modeling, reconciliation, analysis, and reporting
Experience with analytics and reporting tools used to support financial analysis and operational visibility
Experience using Paychex or a comparable payroll and HRIS platform; Paychex experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated process improvement orientation, with the ability to strengthen workflows, reduce manual work, and improve accuracy
Strong analytical and problemsolving ability, with sound accounting judgment
High level of accuracy, organization, and followthrough
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fastpaced environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Professional presence and the ability to work effectively across finance, operations, merchandising, and leadership
Comfort using modern systems and technology to improve efficiency, reporting quality, and workflow effectiveness, including practical experience with automation, analytics, and AIenabled tools in a professional setting

Additional Employment Requirement

Because this position has access to financial systems, cash controls, payroll data, and other sensitive business information, employment is contingent upon successful completion of standard pre-employment screenings, including a credit check, where permitted by applicable law.

The Princeton University Store

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Finance and Accounting Manager