Manager, Accounting

ABOUT BASETEN

Baseten powers mission-critical inference for the world's most dynamic AI companies, like Cursor, Notion, OpenEvidence, Abridge, Clay, Gamma and Writer. By uniting applied AI research, flexible infrastructure, and seamless developer tooling, we enable companies operating at the frontier of AI to bring cutting-edge models into production. We're growing quickly and recently raised our $300M Series E, backed by investors including BOND, IVP, Spark Capital, Greylock, and Conviction. Join us and help build the platform engineers turn to to ship AI products.

THE ROLE

We're hiring our first dedicated Payroll and Accounting Manager - a role that sits at the intersection of two functions that are usually separate. You'll own full-cycle payroll operations end-to-end, and you'll also own the accounting behind it: the journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and month-end close work.

This is a build-from-scratch opportunity. Payroll today is handled across multiple team members with other primary responsibilities. You'll be the first dedicated owner: establishing processes, implementing controls, and scaling the function as we grow.

EXAMPLE INITIATIVES

• Lead our PEO exit and implement an in-house payroll platform - participating in the full project from vendor selection and system configuration through parallel testing, employee communication, and go-live

• Design and document our end-to-end payroll process from scratch, including maker/checker approval workflows, cycle-over-cycle audit checks, and non-exempt employee timekeeping procedures

• Own the monthly payroll accounting close - preparing all journal entries, accruals (bonuses, commissions, severance, signing bonuses, referral bonuses), and balance sheet reconciliations

• Build a compliance program that covers multiple states and jurisdictions, proactively managing nexus registration as we expand into new states

• Partner with People Ops on comp cycles, leave management, 401(k) updates, and benefits funding coordination - serving as the connective tissue between payroll and the broader people function

RESPONSIBILITIES

Payroll operations

• Own full-cycle, multi-state semi-monthly payroll processing for U.S. employees, and coordinate with our global EOR platform for international employees

• Process all payroll changes: new hires, terminations, compensation changes, leave adjustments, and tax withholding updates driven by life events or state moves

• Manage comp change cycles, off-cycle payroll runs, and final day pay calculations

• Handle one-off transactions such as special bonuses and true-ups

• Manage 401(k) contribution updates and coordinate payroll funding with People Ops

• Conduct payroll change audits each cycle before processing

Accounting and month-end close

• Prepare and post all payroll-related journal entries and record payroll bank transactions in the accounting system

• Own payroll accruals: bonuses, commissions (including capitalized commission), severance, referral bonuses, signing bonuses, and accrued payroll

• Execute month-end payroll accrual close and reconcile balance sheet accounts for all payroll and compensation liabilities

• Maintain prepaid and deferred compensation entries

• Prepare stock-based compensation related journal entries and equity rollforward

• Perform compensation flux and variance analysis vs. budget

Compliance

• Maintain federal, state, and local payroll tax compliance across all active U.S. jurisdictions

• Manage all quarterly and annual payroll tax filings - federal and state withholding, SUI, W-2 reconciliations, and Secretary of State obligations

• Register tax accounts and manage nexus analysis as we expand into new states

• Respond to tax notices promptly to avoid penalties

Process and systems

• Lead the in-house payroll / HRIS implementation

• Design and document scalable payroll workflows and controls, including maker/checker approval processes

• Establish non-exempt employee payroll processes covering timekeeping, overtime, and applicable compliance requirements

• Ensure data integrity across HRIS and the general ledger

• Identify and implement automation opportunities to reduce manual effort and error risk

REQUIREMENTS

• 5+ years of experience in payroll, with direct ownership of full-cycle multi-state payroll processing

• Hands-on accounting background: prepare journal entries, manage accruals, reconcile balance sheet accounts, and contribute to a month-end close

• Experience in a high-growth environment where you built processes, not just ran them

• Working knowledge of multi-state payroll tax compliance including 941s, 940s, SUI filings, and state registrations

• Experience with a modern payroll and HRIS platform (Rippling, Workday, ADP, or equivalent)

• Comfortable working cross-functionally with People Ops, Finance, and external vendors

• High attention to detail and a strong instinct for catching errors before they become problems

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience leading HRIS and payroll system implementation

• Equity compensation accounting experience (SBC, RSUs, early exercises)

• Experience with global EOR platforms such as Deel

• CPA or equivalent accounting credential

BENEFITS

• Competitive compensation, including meaningful equity.

• 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependents

• Flexible PTO policy including company wide Winter Break (our offices are closed from Christmas Eve to New Year's Day!)

• Paid parental leave

• Fertility and family-building stipend through Carrot

• Company-facilitated 401(k)

• Exposure to a variety of ML startups, offering unparalleled learning and networking opportunities.

Apply now to embark on a rewarding journey in shaping the future of AI! If you are a motivated individual with a passion for machine learning and a desire to be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team, we would love to hear from you.

At Baseten, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law (by example, the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, where applicable).