Senior Payroll Accountant
Job Description
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
The Role
As Senior Payroll Accountant, you'll bring accounting rigor to a payroll-heavy function — owning the journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and financial reporting for all payroll activity across our global operations. Reporting to the Assistant Controller, you'll work closely with Payroll, People Ops, and Finance to ensure every transaction is accurately recorded and reconciled, and you'll be the person who gets ahead of problems before they become expensive surprises.
Prepare and review payroll journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules for month-, quarter-, and year-end close
Own balance sheet reconciliations for wages payable, payroll tax liabilities, benefits accruals, FSA/HSA, and payroll clearing accounts
Partner with Payroll and People Ops to ensure payroll transactions are accurately reflected in NetSuite, and proactively flag discrepancies before close
Manage accounting for Employer of Record (EOR) arrangements and contractors, navigating the nuances of how those transactions are classified and reported
Support equity-related payroll accounting, including stock-based compensation, RSU vest activity, and option exercise tax implications in partnership with the Equity team
Support internal and external audits by preparing schedules, reconciliations, and responding to auditor inquiries
You Have
4+ years of accounting experience with a strong foundation in core accounting fundamentals: accruals, journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and month-end close
Meaningful exposure to payroll-related accounting — whether as a dedicated focus or as part of a broader accounting scope — ideally at a startup or high-growth company
Solid command of U.S. payroll taxes, employee benefits, and compensation-related accounting concepts, including audit support and internal controls
Experience with NetSuite or a comparable ERP system
Advanced Excel skills and comfort working with large, messy datasets
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
Bonus Points
Public accounting background (Big 4 or regional firm)
Hands-on Workday experience
Experience supporting international payroll accounting, including EOR arrangements across multiple countries
Familiarity with stock compensation accounting and equity-related payroll impacts, including Carta
Experience with a close management tool such as FloQast
Knowledge of SOX controls and public-company readiness processes
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.