Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Manager, Revenue Accounting
at Planet
🏢 About Planet
Planet is unique as a company that provides daily, global Earth-imaging satellite data, empowering organizations to monitor environmental changes, agriculture, and infrastructure. Working at Planet means contributing to impactful stewardship of our planet through cutting-edge technology and timely data solutions. The company's mission-driven focus on sustainability and global observation makes it an attractive workplace for professionals seeking purpose beyond traditional accounting roles.
About This Role
As Senior Manager, Revenue Accounting at Planet, you'll serve as the internal expert on ASC 606 for complex satellite data and SaaS contracts, ensuring proper revenue recognition across North America and APJC regions. This role is impactful because you'll directly influence financial reporting accuracy for a company providing critical Earth observation data, while managing month-end close processes and acting as the primary audit liaison for revenue-related controls.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing complex satellite data contracts in Salesforce to determine ASC 606 treatment, drafting technical accounting memos for non-routine transactions, and collaborating with APJC team members on month-end close reconciliations in Netsuite. You'd also prepare audit documentation for revenue controls and mentor junior accountants on revenue recognition principles specific to Planet's Earth-imaging products.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Planet Is Looking For
- Has 6+ years of revenue accounting experience specifically in SaaS or software-focused industries, with demonstrated expertise applying ASC 606 to complex, non-routine contracts
- Possesses 4+ years of supervisory experience managing accounting teams through month/quarter/year-end close processes in both public and private company environments
- Is proficient with Netsuite for revenue accounting and Salesforce for contract review, with advanced Excel skills for reconciliations and reporting
- Can research and draft technical accounting memos for unique revenue transactions in the satellite data industry, while serving as audit liaison
📝 Tips for Applying to Planet
Quantify your experience with ASC 606 by mentioning specific types of complex contracts you've handled (e.g., multi-element arrangements, variable consideration) relevant to Planet's satellite data subscriptions
Highlight any experience with geographically dispersed teams (North America and APJC specifically) and remote collaboration tools in your resume
Demonstrate your Netsuite and Salesforce proficiency by mentioning specific modules or integrations you've used for revenue recognition processes
Research Planet's specific products (like PlanetScope, SkySat) and mention how your SaaS revenue accounting experience applies to their Earth-imaging data offerings
Prepare examples of technical accounting memos you've drafted for non-routine transactions, ready to discuss in detail
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience applying ASC 606 to SaaS or software contracts, with examples of complex revenue recognition scenarios you've resolved", 'Leadership experience managing revenue accounting teams through close processes, particularly in remote or geographically dispersed environments', "How your technical accounting research skills align with Planet's need for memos on non-routine transactions in the satellite data industry", "Why Planet's mission of Earth stewardship resonates with you and how your accounting expertise supports their impactful work"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Planet's specific product offerings (PlanetScope, SkySat, Pelican) and their revenue models (subscriptions, enterprise contracts, government partnerships)
- → The company's recent SEC filings to understand their current revenue recognition policies and any disclosed accounting complexities
- → Planet's mission and sustainability initiatives to understand how your role supports their broader impact goals
- → Industry-specific revenue recognition challenges in satellite data/SaaS companies, particularly around contract modifications and variable consideration
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with generic accounting experience without highlighting specific ASC 606 expertise in SaaS/software industries
- Failing to demonstrate experience with both Netsuite and Salesforce, which are explicitly required in the job description
- Not preparing specific examples of technical accounting memos or audit liaison experience for revenue recognition topics
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!