Senior Accountant

Job Title: Senior Accountant

Department: Accounting and Finance

Position Reports to: Finance Director

Employment: W2, Full-Time, Salary, Exempt

Location: St. Augustine, FL Distribution Center (Distribution Center will be relocating to Palm Coast, FL). Must be currently living in the local area to be considered.

Are you the best at what you do and want to love where you work? Are you a true flavor enthusiast with a zest for adventure? Want to work with a TEA -m full of sugary sweet, never salty (unless we sell it) band of characters who take their work seriously but never themselves? If this sounds like you and you too love corny puns, you may be the key ingredient we’re missing. See what we did there? Apply now, and let your culinary imagination run wild with us!

The Spice & Tea Exchange ® is looking for energetic people who have a passion for life and food. Our mission is creating and sharing the experience of a more flavorful life , and our employees strive to make that happen every day for our customers, our franchisees and each other. The employee experience at The Spice & Tea Exchange® is unique and rewarding, and if you have this same passion for flavor, we have a seat for you at our table.

Position Purpose:

The Senior Accountant will play a pivotal role in upholding our organization’s financial integrity, ensuring precision and reliability in all accounting practices. This position involves the oversight of key functions such as General Ledger management, Payroll processing, and Accounts Payable administration. The Senior Accountant will not only maintain accurate financial records but will also implement and enhance efficient processes that drive organizational success and support strategic decision-making.

Essential job functions include but are not limited to:

• Prepare and maintain accurate financial statements in compliance with GAAP standards.


• Facilitate Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions, ensuring timely and accurate processing of invoices and payments.


• Execute month-end closing processes, including:
  
  
  • Completing account reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts.
  
  
  • Preparing and posting journal entries as needed.
  
  
  • Reviewing and verifying revenue recognition and expense accruals.
  
  
  • Completing variance analysis and addressing discrepancies.
  
  


• Maintain and update the Chart of Accounts to ensure it aligns with company needs and reporting requirements, including adding, modifying, or removing accounts as necessary.


• Ensure all financial transactions are recorded accurately and on time to maintain data integrity.


• Support the annual audit process, including preparing necessary documentation for external auditors.


• Manage payroll processing, including calculation and verification of payroll, benefits deductions, deferrals and contributions.


• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations related to payroll processing.


• Maintain efficient accounting systems and procedures, identifying opportunities for process improvements to enhance accuracy and efficiency.


• Assist in budgeting and forecasting processes, providing detailed analysis and reports as needed.


• Serve as the back-up to the Financial Director as point of contact for financial inquiries from internal teams and external partners.


• Utilize NetSuite ERP and other tools for financial tracking, reporting and analysis.


• Monitor and maintain multi-company accounting transactions, ensuring accurate financial results across all entities.


• Work collaboratively with the finance team to drive continuous improvement in accounting practices, processes, and internal controls.


• Stay current with changes in financial regulations and accounting standards to ensure compliance.


• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the finance department or organization.

Knowledge and Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.


• 5-7 years experience in a Staff Accountant or similar role, with a high level of accounting knowledge and technical proficiency.


• Strong understanding of GAAP compliance and financial reporting standards.


• Knowledge of payroll laws and regulations, alongside demonstrated experience with payroll processing, including 401(k) and benefits deductions, and payroll recordkeeping.


• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in financial transactions and reporting.


• Exceptional time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.


• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving financial discrepancies.


• Ability to streamline existing accounting processes, enhancing operational efficiency.


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work well independently and in a collaborative team environment.


• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other financial software tools.


• NetSuite ERP experience is a plus.

Physical Requirements to perform the essential functions of this job:

• Consistent ability to utilize hands and fingers to perform tasks as necessary for job duties (8+ hours per day).


• Consistent capacity for visual acuity to monitor, detect, and identify issues pertaining to processes and reporting, and ensure quality and legal standards are met (8+ hours per day).


• Consistently communicate in English utilizing both written and oral methods including the use of speech and hearing to communicate effectively with team members, customers, and the ability to engage in verbal discussions and listen attentively (8+ hours per day).


• Ability to perform repetitive tasks (8+ hours per day).


• Operation of, but not limited to computer tools and equipment, printers and equipment (8+ hours per day).


• Consistently work around spices; must not be sensitive or allergic to various scents, spices, fruits, extracts, aromas, or personal protective equipment (8+ hours per day).

TSTE is unable to accommodate sensitivity or allergy to various spices, ingredients, scents and aromas contained in our products. This is core to our business and cannot be avoided.

While we will make every attempt to provide reasonable accommodation, such accommodation may not alter the fundamental requirements of the job, cause undue hardship, safety risk, or interfere with the ability to perform essential functions. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to supporting your needs within the scope of our commitment to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Core Values:

• Commitment; engaged, flexible, patient, open minded.


• Detail Oriented; organized, focused, high quality.


• Reliable; integrity, dependable, authentic.


• Continuous Improvement; performance and safety awareness, goal-oriented, creative mindset, efficient.


• Enthusiastic about food and beverage.


• Teamwork; team-oriented and eager to grow within the company.

Spicy Perks:

• Medical, dental, vision and other ancillary benefits.


• 401k plan + company match.


• Flexible spending account (FSA) for medical and/or dependent care.


• 100% Company paid Basic Life and AD&D insurance.


• Paid time off (PTO) during first year, following 90 days of employment.


• 7 Paid Holidays.


• Employee product discounts.


• Quarterly “Create & Share”, free product gifts.


• Annual “Holiday Bucks” with access to select personalized gifts for yourself or loved ones over the Holidays.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The Spice & Tea Exchange® provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Drug Free Workplace

The Spice & Tea Exchange® is committed to maintaining a safe and productive work environment. The company policy states, all applicants must complete a drug screening test if accepting an offer of employment. Employment offers are contingent upon a negative drug screening test result.

We create and share the experience every day! Life is better lived with a little spice.

The Spice & Tea Exchange ® was founded in 2008, by a group of talented individuals with a passion for life and food. What started as a small shop in St. Augustine, Florida, has quickly grown into a nation-wide franchise powered by flavor, passionate franchise owners, and a desire to bring flavorful ingredients to your kitchen. Our franchise owners are the #1 REASON for what we do, and our team is a close-knit family you’d enjoy sitting with around the dinner table.

" Creating & sharing the experience of a more flavorful life ," is the mission and cornerstone of our business, in which we strive to provide guests with quality products and flavorful memories. We offer a high-quality, diverse assortment of products in a sensory shopping experience. One step into our shops will kick your senses into high-gear as you open the jars and smell, explore recipes, and speak with our knowledgeable staff about your culinary interests.

At The Spice & Tea Exchange® we are committed to our mission. If you have a desire to inspire coworkers and customers, we may have a place for you at the table! Our employees define experience as all the events of our lives that shape who we are, taking you out of the everyday task list and putting you into a place that takes you to a different state of mind, making memories that are not forgotten, and trying things for the first time! The employee experience is something we do not take with a grain of salt.