Accounting Lead

About Handshake

Handshake is the career network for the AI economy. 20 million knowledge workers, 1,600 educational institutions, 1 million employers (including 100% of the Fortune 50), and every foundational AI lab trust Handshake to power career discovery, hiring, and upskilling, from freelance AI training gigs to first internships to full-time careers and beyond. This unique value is leading to unparalleled growth; in 2025, we tripled our ARR at scale.

Why join Handshake now:

• Shape how every career evolves in the AI economy, at global scale, with impact your friends, family and peers can see and feel

• Work hand-in-hand with world-class AI labs, Fortune 500 partners and the world’s top educational institutions

• Join a team with leadership from Scale AI, Meta, xAI, Notion, Coinbase, and Palantir, among others

• Build a massive, fast-growing business with billions in revenue

About the Role

As an Accounting Lead at Handshake, you’ll take ownership of critical components of our general ledger and month-end close. This role is ideal for someone who genuinely enjoys the functional craft of accounting—reconciling accounts, preparing journal entries, refining processes—and wants to pair that with management and influence.

You’ll report to the Assistant Controller and partner closely across AP, FP&A, and Revenue, and ensure our financials are precise, timely, and built for both internal and external stakeholders.

You’ll also help build the processes, controls, and systems that let us scale with confidence—keeping us SOX- and audit-ready while balancing pace with precision as the company grows.

• Handle key tasks in the monthly and quarterly financial closing processes. Write journal entries, reconcile accounts, analyze variances, and prepare reports. Take charge of managing cash, property, equipment, and consolidated reports.

• Apply proficient working knowledge of ASC 340 (Deferred Contract Acquisition Costs) and ASC 842 (Leases) to ensure consistent, GAAP-compliant accounting with well-supported documentation

• Assist in the preparation of financial statements and management reporting, giving leaders clear visibility into performance

• Support annual audits and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal filing requirements while maintaining impeccable controls and documentation

• Partner with accounting teams globally to deliver high-quality, on-time work across entities and jurisdictions

• Identify and implement improvements to accounting processes, workflows, and controls to boost efficiency, scalability, and audit readiness

• Jump into special projects and ad hoc analyses as the business evolves, bringing structure and clarity to new problem spaces

Desired Capabilities

• 6+ years of progressive accounting experience, including hands-on ownership of GL and close activities in a high-growth or multi-entity environment

• Robust US GAAP knowledge with experience in month-end close, consolidations, and reconciliations—ideally within a technology or SaaS company

• Experience applying accounting guidance in areas like ASC 340 and ASC 842

• A track record of improving close processes—shortening timelines, increasing accuracy, and strengthening controls

• Experience partnering with FP&A and business leaders to explain results, address issues, and translate accounting impacts into business terms

• Comfort operating as a hands-on individual contributor while providing clear guidance to remote contractors or external partners

• A systems-first mindset (ERP and related tools), with the ability to design and optimize workflows, documentation, and controls

• Top-notch communication skills and the ability to operate in a dynamic, evolving environment without losing the thread on quality

Extra Credit

• Experience with NetSuite or another modern cloud ERP

• CPA (active or inactive) and/or public accounting experience (Big 4 or similar)

• Background in SaaS revenue, equity accounting, or complex consolidations

• Experience collaborating with accounting teams in other countries or with offshore/shared-service centers.

• Experience implementing or optimizing an ERP or close-management tool

Perks

Handshake delivers benefits that help you feel supported—and thrive at work and in life.

The below benefits are for full-time US employees.

🎯 Ownership: Equity in a fast-growing company

💰 Financial Wellness: 401(k) match, competitive compensation, financial coaching

🍼 Family Support: Paid parental leave, fertility benefits, parental coaching

💝 Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision, mental health support, wellness stipend

📚 Growth: Learning stipend, ongoing development

💻 Remote & Office: Internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office

🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days

🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses

Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.