Accounts Payable Accountant

About Handshake

Handshake is building the career network for the AI economy, backed by the largest and most trusted job network on the internet. As the only three-sided job marketplace connecting 18 million knowledge workers, 1,500 educational institutions, and 1 million employers, Handshake powers career discovery, hiring, and upskilling—from first internships to full-time roles, freelance work to gig work, and beyond.

Founded in 2014, we’ve built the most trusted platform for early talent—owning the college-to-career market and powering nearly every career center. Today we’re building on that foundation to help students and early professionals upskill or reskill for the future.

Now’s a great time to join Handshake. Here’s why:

• Category Leader: Over 92% coverage across US universities & 77% of total US university student population.

• Proven Market Demand: Deep employer partnerships across Fortune 500s and the world’s leading AI research labs.

• World-Class Team: Leadership from Scale AI, Open AI, xAI, Notion, Coinbase, and Palantir, just to name a few.

• Capitalized & Scaling: $434M raised with a $175M+ run rate.

About the Role

As an Accounts Payable Accountant at Handshake AI, you’ll ensure the timely, accurate, and scalable processing, tracking, and reporting of all contractor payments. In our fast-moving environment, this role plays a key part in maintaining strong relationships with service providers, ensuring contractual compliance, and supporting the financial health of projects and the company. You’ll leverage automation, data insights, and cross-functional collaboration to streamline workflows and enable smarter decision-making.

• Process and verify contractor payment requests with speed, accuracy, and compliance to contract terms.

• Investigate and resolve billing discrepancies, ensuring issues are addressed quickly and collaboratively.

• Manage approval, scheduling, and release of payments in line with company policies and project timelines.

• Maintain organized, accessible, and audit-ready payment records.

• Reconcile accounts payable sub-ledgers with the general ledger and investigate discrepancies.

• Create and maintain real-time payment tracking and reporting dashboards.

• Ensure compliance with tax requirements and support audit or regulatory review processes.

• Proactively communicate payment schedules, monitor cash flow needs, and flag potential financial risks.

• Identify, recommend, and lead automation or process improvement initiatives to boost efficiency and accuracy.

Desired Capabilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

• 2+ years of experience in accounts payable or a related finance function, ideally in a high-growth environment

• Strong understanding of contract terms, payment controls, and AP best practices.

• Proficiency with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite) and advanced Excel skills.

• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into insights.

• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to thrive under tight deadlines.

• Clear and concise communicator, comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.

Perks

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: Stipends for home office setup, internet, commuting, and free lunch/gym in our SF office

🏝 Time Off: Flexible PTO, 15 holidays + 2 flex days, winter #ShakeBreak where our whole office closes for a week!

🤝 Connection: Team outings & referral bonuses

Explore our mission, values, and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.