Assistant Controller

Handshake; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

401(k) match

Parental leave

Wellbeing stipend

Learning stipend

Job summary

Handshake is seeking an Assistant Controller to own month-end close, consolidation, and financial reporting for a rapidly growing company. You will drive automation initiatives, stand up an AI-native close tool, and integrate recent M&A activity into close management and procure-to-pay.

You’ll lead and develop the accounting team, collaborate with FP&A, Payroll, and HR, and ensure audit-ready, US GAAP-compliant books across entities.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in high-growth, complex environments, ideally with Big-4.
• 3+ years of experience as a people leader.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (or equivalent).
• CPA designation and strong knowledge of US GAAP.
• NetSuite experience with month close, reporting, GL, and procurement.
• Excellent communication skills with cross-functional influence.
• Analytical, ownership-focused, and detail-oriented; able to build processes.
• Comfort operating with autonomy in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end close, consolidation, and financial reporting across entities.
• Lead rollout of an AI-native close management tool with NetSuite.
• Integrate recent M&A activity into close management and procure-to-pay.
• Build and develop the accounting team with FP&A, Payroll, and HR partners.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Autonomy

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA designation

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

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 two initiatives that will define the role’s first stretch: standing up a new AI-native close management tool 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

• 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.