Senior Payroll Accountant

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 own the accounting and financial reporting for all payroll activity across our global operations — ensuring every transaction is accurately recorded, reconciled, and reported. Reporting to the Assistant Controller, you'll work closely with Payroll, People, and Finance/Accounting teams, and 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

• Hands-on Workday experience is required
• 4 years of accounting experience with meaningful exposure to payroll accounting, ideally at a startup or high-growth company
• Solid command of payroll accounting fundamentals: accruals, journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and month-end close
• Knowledge 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

• 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.

Compensation Range: $108K - $130K