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
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 intercompany 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
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
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.
Skills Required
- 8+ years of relevant experience in high-growth, complex environments
- 3+ years of relevant people leadership experience
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance, or equivalent
- CPA designation or internationally recognized equivalent
- Strong knowledge of US GAAP
- Experience with NetSuite and accounting systems supporting month-end close, reporting, general ledger, and procurement
- Excellent communication skills and ability to drive consensus across cross-functional teams
- Exceptional problem-solving, ownership, analytical ability, inquisitiveness, and attention to detail
- Ability to build processes from the ground up
- Comfort operating autonomously in an ambiguous, fast-paced environment
- Big Four accounting firm experience
- IPO readiness experience
Handshake Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Handshake and has not been reviewed or approved by Handshake.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off practices include flexible/unlimited PTO, companywide recharge weeks in summer and winter, plus additional volunteer and personal holiday time. Feedback suggests sabbaticals and coordinated breaks help people actually use rest time.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental leave is described as extended for primary and secondary caregivers, and family-oriented policies are highlighted. Fertility and family-support resources are referenced in public materials.
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Healthcare Strength — Core coverage spans medical, dental, and vision, with added mental-health resources and wellness programming. Feedback suggests these supports contribute meaningfully to overall wellbeing.
Handshake Insights
What We Do
Handshake is the #1 place to launch a career with no connections, experience, or luck required. The platform connects up-and-coming talent with 650,000+ employers - from Fortune 500 companies like Google, Nike, and Target to thousands of public school districts, healthcare systems, and nonprofits. Earlier this year, we announced our $200M Series F funding round. This Series F fundraise and new valuation of $3.5B will fuel Handshake’s next phase of growth and propel our mission to help more people start, restart, and jumpstart their careers.
Why Work With Us
How someone builds their career is foundational. We believe in working with the higher education community to help students build meaningful careers. We are at the nexus of universities, students and employers— and we’re able to connect the very best pieces of each side. We’re proud to create a community where students can be more successful.
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