Assistant Controller

Apply; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity in a fast-growing company

401(k) match

Paid parental leave

Wellbeing stipend and health benefits

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Handshake is seeking an Assistant Controller to own month-end close, consolidation, and financial reporting, including treasury and inter-company transactions. You’ll lead the rollout of an AI-native close tool and integrate recent M&A activity into accounting systems and procure-to-pay.

You’ll also build and mentor the accounting team while partnering with FP&A, Payroll, and HR. Ideal candidates have 8+ years in high-growth environments, 3+ years as a people leader, a CPA or equivalent, and

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.