Director, Accounting Operations

About the position

At Barnes & Noble Education (“BNED”) we are dedicated to making tomorrow a better, more inclusive, and smarter world by servicing all who work in education. As a leading solutions provider for the education industry, we are committed to driving affordability, accessibility, and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide by ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Together, our teams work to elevate lives through education. The Director, Accounting Operations leads BNED's Order-to-Cash (O2C) process, encompassing accounts receivable, cash application, and credit card processing functions. This role ensures the timely and accurate posting of payments, billing, collections, and reconciliations across all business channels. The Director establishes and enforces policies, processes, and controls that safeguard company assets, support accurate financial reporting, and optimize working capital. Partnering closely with Finance, Accounting, Operations, and university partners, the Director drives resolution of receivable and credit card issues, enhances process efficiency, and advances automation initiatives across the O2C cycle. This position directly contributes to BNED's financial health by reducing unapplied cash, strengthening customer relationships, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and SOX requirements.

Responsibilities

• Define the direction and objectives of the Accounts Receivable, Credit Card processing and Payment Processing functions to align with BNED's business strategy and working capital goals.
• Lead and develop the Accounts Receivable & Credit Card Processing Teams fostering collaboration and accountability.
• Serve as a key resource for Finance, Accounting, and Operational leadership on receivables, collections, and cash flow matters.
• Partner with Treasury and FP&A to improve cash flow forecasting and monitor accounts receivable aging trends to strengthen working capital performance.
• Ensure the accurate and timely posting of all payments (EFT, checks, credit cards, digital wallets) received through BNED's stores, ecommerce, and digital businesses.
• Oversee the end-to-end billing and collections processes, including university debit card programs and student financial aid-related receivables.
• Maintain effective internal controls over cash handling, reconciliations, and collections processes to safeguard company assets.
• Own accounts receivable risk management, including setting credit risk thresholds, managing escalated collection accounts, and recommending write-offs or reserves.
• Direct monthly reconciliations of accounts receivable to the General Ledger and ensure accuracy in customer account records.
• Act as the senior point of contact for university partners and key customers regarding escalated receivable, billing, or payment issues.
• Identify and implement process enhancements to improve speed, accuracy, and automation in cash application, billing, and collections.
• Partner with IT and external vendors to advance system capabilities that reduce manual work and increase accuracy.
• Own accounts receivable and payment processing analytics and reporting strategy; provide actionable dashboards and insights to Finance, Accounting, and senior leadership.
• Establish and track performance metrics to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Ensure policies and practices are consistent with company credit policies, accounting standards, and SOX compliance requirements.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate reporting and thorough documentation.
• Develop and maintain business continuity plans for accounts receivable and payment processing operations to mitigate operational disruptions.
• Collaborate with university partners, store operations, and business units to resolve receivable issues and strengthen customer relationships.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and accounts receivable leadership experience, including at least 5 years in a public company environment.
• Direct experience managing accounts receivable and payment processing for a multi-channel retailer.
• Deep understanding of credit card purchase and settlement processes in a retail environment
• Demonstrated experience designing, maintaining, and testing SOX internal controls over financial reporting.
• Proven ability to design and enforce internal controls that safeguard assets and ensure compliance.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance requirements.
• Ability to lead accounts receivable risk management and credit control strategies.
• Financial and analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and provide actionable insights.
• Skilled at process automation and ERP system usage (PeopleSoft strongly preferred).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (formulas, VLOOKUP, pivot tables) and the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship management skills

Nice-to-haves

• CPA designation a plus
• Familiarity with university partnership models and student financial aid receivables is strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise payment platforms; experience with bank receivables management systems is a plus.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision coverage
• a 401(k) plan
• life and disability insurance
• commuter benefits
• paid time off and holidays
• a broad range of additional benefits