Finance and Accounting Manager at The Princeton University Store – Princeton, New Jersey

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 month-end 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 follow-up 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 point-of-sale 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 finance-side inventory analysis, margin review, and open-to-buy 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 payroll-related 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 AI-enabled tools where appropriate
• Partner with the Head of Finance and Operations on implementation, testing, documentation, adoption, and stabilization of finance-related 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, multi-location, consumer products, or high-volume transaction environment strongly preferred
• Hands-on NetSuite ERP proficiency is required. This is a non-negotiable 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 problem-solving ability, with sound accounting judgment
• High level of accuracy, organization, and follow-through
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced 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 AI-enabled 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.