Description

Reports To:      CEO

Company Overview

JB Retail is a collection of premium retail brands differentiated by curated local product offerings and exceptional customer experience.  Our retail portfolio, historically rooted in large, independent bookstores and gifting destinations with attached bistros (Joseph Beth Booksellers, Bronte Bistro), plus elevated hospital gift and coffee shops (Nurture and Nourish) that are redefining the market segment.  Our regional footprint includes locations in Cincinnati/Cleveland (OH), Lexington (KY), New York City/Stony Brook (NY), and coming soon in Indianapolis (IN). 

Position Overview

The Controller leads and directs all accounting activities while maintaining accounting systems, procedures, and policies.  Central responsibilities include monthly financial close and preparation of financial statements, treasury and cash management functions, AP/AR, tax & regulatory compliance, inventory and expense management, and internal controls.  Adjacent areas of responsibility include benefits administration, procurement, lease administration, and limited IT, security, and facilities responsibilities.

 The Controller reports directly to JB Retail’s CEO and partners closely with its consulting (fractional) CFO as well as the Director of FP&A.

Major Responsibilities

Accounting, Financial Reporting, Auditing:

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, AP/AR, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close.
• Prepare GAAP-compliant financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Maintain and continuously strengthen internal controls and financial policies.
• Oversee annual CPA review and income tax preparation. 
• Responsible for technical accounting matters, including lease accounting and revenue recognition.
• Partner with FP&A to ensure accuracy of reporting and integrity of budget vs. actual analysis.
• Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable functions, ensuring cash is collected and applied accurately, vendor payments are made on time, aging items are monitored and resolved, etc.
• Maintain integrity of accounting systems, POS integrations, and financial reporting infrastructure.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities and maintain documented SOP’s to support scalability and operational discipline.

Inventory & Margin Integrity:

• Oversee retail and restaurant inventory accounting, partner with Operations and FP&A on effective physical inventory processes and shrink analysis.
• Ensure accurate COGS and gross margin reporting, maintaining reconciliation between Celerant operating system and Sage financial system.
• Strengthen controls around purchasing, receiving, and cost tracking.

Treasury & Cash Management:

• Manage daily cash, including accounts payable, collections of accounts receivable, reconciling cash balances, funding of payroll, and forecasting cash needs.
• Manage banking and financing relationships, including depository and concentration accounts, operating line of credit, and construction financing.  Ensure compliance with loan covenant and collateral base reporting requirements.
• Manage credit card approval and settlement processes, reconciling daily settlement amounts.

Tax & Regulatory:

• Responsible for tax filing, licensing, and other requirements, including oversight of sales and use tax, payroll tax, and income tax processes and remittances.
• Partner with HR to ensure all appropriate taxes, garnishments, and withholdings are executed through company payroll cycles (via ADP).
• Ensure compliance with all state registrations and licensing requirements.
• Monitor legislation that can affect business operations.

Benefits Administration:

• Responsible for program design and provider selection (in partnership with HR, CFO, CEO) as well as administration of company benefits programs, including medical insurance, 401(k), etc.

Lease Administration:

• Maintain up-to-date abstracts of all company real estate leases, including key lease attributes and financial commitments.
• Administer monthly rent payments and ensure all CAM, % rent, and other components are accurate and properly reconciled.

Requirements

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications and Experiences:

• 10+ years of progressive accounting and leadership experience, preferably in retail, restaurant, or multi-location operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
• In-depth knowledge of GAAP and multi-state requirements.
• Experience managing inventory accounting in a retail or hospitality environment.
• Proven leadership of accounting teams.
• Advanced Excel skills and financial systems proficiency.

Skills and Attributes Required:

• Operationally disciplined and detail-oriented.
• Strong business partner mindset and ability to teach and influence cross-functional partners.
• Systems thinking with process improvement orientation.
• Comfortable operating in a growth-oriented, evolving organization.
• High-level analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to think outside of the box, deal with ambiguity and resolve complex issues using pragmatic approaches.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills along with the ability to work well in cross-functional teams.