Junior Staff Accountant, Accounts Receivable

Lulu Press, Inc. • Research Triangle Park, NC

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

Lulu Press is seeking a Junior Staff Accountant for its Accounting team, primarily responsible for the accounts receivable process, from invoicing and cash application through collections and month-end reconciliation. The role issues accurate and timely customer invoices, applies incoming payments across multiple channels and currencies, follows up on past-due balances, monitors AR aging, researches short payments, credits, and chargebacks, and works with customer service and sales to resolve billing disputes. It also ensures sales tax is correctly applied and exemption certificates remain current, and reviews customer credit applications.

The position serves as a main point of contact for customers with billing and payment questions and collaborates with customer service, sales, and finance. The successful candidate will maintain precise customer records, meet close deadlines, resolve payment issues tactfully, and follow company policies and internal controls for credit, cash handling, and write-offs. This is a hybrid role based out of the RTP, North Carolina office, with approximately two days in the office per week and additional attendance as needed. The small accounting team shares knowledge and supports one another, and the role offers opportunities to develop skills beyond accounts receivable.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• General accounting experience, including general ledger, journal entries, and reconciliations.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and practices.
• Familiarity with accounting software and ERP systems.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills, with demonstrated use of advanced functionality.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to summarize financial data to support business decisions.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines while maintaining completeness and accuracy; self-motivated.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage and adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment from the RTP, North Carolina office approximately two days per week and as needed.
• Must live or plan to live in North Carolina.
• Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Accounts receivable or similar financial-role experience.
• Accounts receivable, collections, or cash application experience.
• Proficiency with NetSuite and Excel, including pivot tables and lookups.
• Familiarity with multi-currency transactions or foreign currencies.
• Familiarity with online payment processors.
• Internship experience; recent graduates and candidates with internship experience are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Generate and distribute accurate and timely customer invoices in compliance with contractual terms and company policies.
• Maintain customer accounts and update customer information; respond to inquiries and resolve billing discrepancies.
• Maintain sales tax certificates in Avalara.
• Apply customer and retailer payments, including credit-card processor payments, to appropriate accounts and reconcile payments with outstanding invoices.
• Process sales tax and VAT refunds through the Freshdesk ticket system.
• Monitor accounts receivable aging and follow up on collections to minimize overdue payments.
• Assess and establish customer credit limits and evaluate the creditworthiness of new and existing customers.
• Generate accounts receivable reports and provide management with insights and analysis on receivables performance.
• Assist with financial and tax audits, including AR confirmations and supporting documentation.
• Assist with month-end close by providing AR reports and reconciliations and collaborating with the accounting team on accurate financial reporting.
• Reconcile the AR sub-ledger with the general ledger and investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain organized, up-to-date customer transaction records and ensure compliance with company policies and accounting standards.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance accounts receivable efficiency.
• Collaborate with finance and other relevant teams, assist with special projects, and be available for training as a Finance Team backup based on management review.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• FSA/HSA accounts.
• Voluntary benefit options.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Benefits eligibility for full-time employees beginning on the first day of employment.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level