Assistant Controller

About this role

ABOUT HANDSHAKE

Handshake was founded on a simple belief that everyone deserves a path to a great career, regardless of where they went to school or who they know. Today, we power 25 million job seekers, 1 million+ employers, and 1,600 educational institutions.

In 2025, we started Handshake AI and built the fastest-growing AI data business in history. We work directly with frontier AI lab researchers to create evaluations, publish benchmarks, and push the boundary of data. We've grown from $0 to ~$1B run rate and pay ~$60M to over 30K individuals every month.

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

- Partner hand-in-hand with world-class AI labs, Fortune 500 partners and the world's top educational institutions

- Work together with engineers, scientists, operators, and more from Palantir, Meta, Scale AI, and former YC founders

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

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Senior Director of Finance, the Assistant Controller owns general accounting — month-end close, consolidation, and financial reporting — for a rapidly growing company, including three initiatives that will define the role's first stretch: standing up a new AI-native close management tool, leading Handshake's first PCAOB audit-readiness uplift, and integrating recent M&A activity into close management and procure-to-pay. You'll thrive here if you're comfortable operating in ambiguous, ever-changing environments and building process where little exists today.

- Own month-end close, consolidation, and financial reporting, including treasury, foreign subsidiaries, and inter-company transactions, to keep the business on accurate, audit-ready footing

- Lead the rollout of a new AI-native close management tool, driving better automation across NetSuite and the broader close process

- Own Handshake's first PCAOB audit-readiness initiative, building on our existing Big 4 / AICPA-standard audits toward a more comprehensive, public-company-caliber audit process

- Integrate recent M&A activity into accounting systems and structure, combining technical accounting work with operational transition across close management and procure-to-pay

- Build and develop the accounting team, coaching and mentoring staff while partnering closely with FP&A, Payroll, and HR on complex accounting treatment

YOU HAVE

- 8+ years of relevant experience in high-growth, complex environments, ideally with a combination of experience at a Big-4 accounting firm

- 3+ years of relevant experience as a people leader

- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance (or equivalent)

- CPA designation, or internationally recognized equivalent, and strong knowledge of US GAAP

- NetSuite experience, with knowledge of accounting systems supporting month close, reporting, general ledger, and procurement

- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to drive consensus across cross-functional teams and influence decision-making

- Exceptional problem-solving and ownership, with a highly analytical, inquisitive work style and strong attention to detail — proven ability to build processes from the ground up

- Comfort operating with a high degree of autonomy in an ambiguous, fast-paced environment

Bonus Points:

- IPO readiness experience

WE OFFER

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, $500 wellness stipend 📚 Growth: $2,000 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 http://joinhandshake.com/careers.

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