OPT Accountant Jobs
Accountant roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions available, with consistent demand across public accounting firms, corporate finance teams, and government contractors. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa standards, making them strong candidates for STEM OPT extension if your degree is in accounting, finance, or a related field.
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Summary:
The Accountant I is responsible for preparing general ledger month-end journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations relevant to their assigned functional accounting team in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Functional Accounting Teams are as follows:
- Cash Accounting
- Fixed Assets Accounting
- Corporate Accounting
- Payroll Accounting
- Investments and Foundation Accounting
- Prepaid Asset, Deferred Revenue, and Notes Payable Accounting
- Inventory and Supplies Accounting
- Physician Guarantees and Physician Fees Accounting
- Purchased Services and Non-Patient Accounts Receivable Accounting
- Contract Labor and Utilities Accounting
- Joint Venture Accounting
- Intercompany Accounting, Allocations, and Eliminations
- Lease Accounting
- Technical Accounting
- Health Plan Accounting
- Physician Group Accounting
- Grant Accounting
The Accountant I is an entry level job, as such no prior accounting experience is required. The job does require an understanding of United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) obtained in connection with the education requirements for the job. The Accountant I will be assigned lower risk, less complex, areas of the assigned functional team. They will be expected to develop an understanding of the purpose of the journal entries they are recording to the general ledger, evaluate the appropriateness of the entry (including the GL accounts used and the financial statement line item classification), and explain the impact to the financial statements. The Accountant I is responsible for ensuring appropriate and relevant supporting documentation is attached to the journal entry. The Accountant I is responsible for evaluating the source of the information for their journal entries and asking appropriate follow-up questions to ensure documentation is appropriate. The Accountant I is expected to develop an understanding of healthcare specific accounting issues relevant to the assigned functional accounting area. The Accountant I is expected to seek out learning opportunities and be open to constructive feedback to improve overall performance and expand their knowledge of US GAAP.
The Accountant I is responsible for completion of monthly balance sheet account reconciliations related to the assigned functional accounting area. The Accountant I is responsible for assisting the accounting lead and manager with information requests from other teams across the System (both at the corporate office and at our facilities), as needed. The Accountant I is responsible for other projects, as assigned, which may include but are not limited to: research of GL transactions to understand the impact to the GL, process improvement projects, and assistance for the year-end external audit. The job requires excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Prepare month-end journal entries in accordance with US GAAP, with complete and accurate supporting documentation.
- Prepare month-end balance sheet reconciliations.
- Seek out learning opportunities and be open to constructive feedback to improve overall performance and expand their knowledge of US GAAP.
- Assist accounting lead and manager with information requests from other teams across the System (both at the corporate office and at our facilities) as needed.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or equivalent required.
Experience
- No experience required.
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- Candidates seeking CPA license preferred; some assistance available for those seeking licensing.
Work Schedule:
5 Days - 8 Hours
Work Type:
Full Time
Description
Summary:
The Accountant I is responsible for preparing general ledger month-end journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations relevant to their assigned functional accounting team in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Functional Accounting Teams are as follows:
- Cash Accounting
- Fixed Assets Accounting
- Corporate Accounting
- Payroll Accounting
- Investments and Foundation Accounting
- Prepaid Asset, Deferred Revenue, and Notes Payable Accounting
- Inventory and Supplies Accounting
- Physician Guarantees and Physician Fees Accounting
- Purchased Services and Non-Patient Accounts Receivable Accounting
- Contract Labor and Utilities Accounting
- Joint Venture Accounting
- Intercompany Accounting, Allocations, and Eliminations
- Lease Accounting
- Technical Accounting
- Health Plan Accounting
- Physician Group Accounting
- Grant Accounting
The Accountant I is an entry level job, as such no prior accounting experience is required. The job does require an understanding of United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP) obtained in connection with the education requirements for the job. The Accountant I will be assigned lower risk, less complex, areas of the assigned functional team. They will be expected to develop an understanding of the purpose of the journal entries they are recording to the general ledger, evaluate the appropriateness of the entry (including the GL accounts used and the financial statement line item classification), and explain the impact to the financial statements. The Accountant I is responsible for ensuring appropriate and relevant supporting documentation is attached to the journal entry. The Accountant I is responsible for evaluating the source of the information for their journal entries and asking appropriate follow-up questions to ensure documentation is appropriate. The Accountant I is expected to develop an understanding of healthcare specific accounting issues relevant to the assigned functional accounting area. The Accountant I is expected to seek out learning opportunities and be open to constructive feedback to improve overall performance and expand their knowledge of US GAAP.
The Accountant I is responsible for completion of monthly balance sheet account reconciliations related to the assigned functional accounting area. The Accountant I is responsible for assisting the accounting lead and manager with information requests from other teams across the System (both at the corporate office and at our facilities), as needed. The Accountant I is responsible for other projects, as assigned, which may include but are not limited to: research of GL transactions to understand the impact to the GL, process improvement projects, and assistance for the year-end external audit. The job requires excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Responsibilities:
- Meets expectations of the applicable OneCHRISTUS Competencies: Leader of Self, Leader of Others, or Leader of Leaders.
- Prepare month-end journal entries in accordance with US GAAP, with complete and accurate supporting documentation.
- Prepare month-end balance sheet reconciliations.
- Seek out learning opportunities and be open to constructive feedback to improve overall performance and expand their knowledge of US GAAP.
- Assist accounting lead and manager with information requests from other teams across the System (both at the corporate office and at our facilities) as needed.
Job Requirements:
Education/Skills
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or equivalent required.
Experience
- No experience required.
Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications
- Candidates seeking CPA license preferred; some assistance available for those seeking licensing.
Work Schedule:
5 Days - 8 Hours
Work Type:
Full Time
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Accountant
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Accounting degrees from ABET-accredited programs often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before applying, since this nearly triples your authorized work period and significantly increases your appeal to employers.
Target employers with established H-1B filing histories
Public accounting firms like the Big Four and regional mid-market firms file H-1B visa petitions routinely. Prioritizing these employers gives you a realistic path from OPT to long-term sponsorship rather than starting those conversations from scratch after hiring.
Highlight CPA exam progress on your resume
Employers weigh CPA candidacy heavily when evaluating accounting hires. Passing one or more sections before your job search signals long-term commitment to the profession and helps distinguish you from candidates with identical academic backgrounds and work experience.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Accounting hiring cycles at large firms often run six to nine months ahead of start dates. Beginning your search well before your OPT authorization begins ensures offers and onboarding paperwork align properly with your authorized employment period.
Understand which accounting roles qualify as specialty occupations
Roles like financial analyst, tax associate, and audit associate consistently qualify as specialty occupations requiring a degree in a specific field. General bookkeeping positions often do not. Targeting roles with a clear degree requirement protects your future H-1B eligibility.
Be transparent about your OPT timeline during interviews
Accounting firms plan resource allocation carefully. Disclosing your OPT expiration date and STEM extension eligibility upfront lets hiring managers factor in sponsorship timelines, reducing the risk of an offer falling through late in the process.
Accountant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do accountant roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many do, but it depends on your degree's CIP code rather than your job title. Accounting and finance degrees are frequently designated as STEM-eligible programs. If your degree qualifies, you can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total OPT work authorization. Confirm your program's CIP code with your designated school official before assuming eligibility.
Which types of accounting employers are most likely to sponsor OPT students?
Large public accounting firms, multinational corporations with dedicated finance functions, and financial services companies have the most established sponsorship infrastructure. These employers file H-1B petitions regularly and have in-house immigration counsel or retained law firms to manage the process. Smaller regional firms and startups can sponsor but may lack the internal processes to move quickly when your OPT deadline approaches. Browse Migrate Mate to find accountant roles filtered by sponsorship history.
Can I work as an accountant on OPT if I'm still completing my CPA exams?
Yes. CPA licensure is not required to work as a staff accountant, audit associate, or tax associate on OPT. Most entry-level accounting roles at public firms expect candidates to be CPA candidates, not yet licensed. Your OPT employment authorization is based on your degree and job field alignment, not professional licensure status.
How does accounting OPT employment relate to future H-1B eligibility?
Accounting roles that qualify as specialty occupations are strong H-1B candidates because they require a specific bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field. Documenting this clearly in your offer letter and job description matters when your employer files the H-1B petition. Roles with vague degree requirements or that accept any bachelor's field may face additional scrutiny during the petition process.
What happens if my OPT expires before my employer files my H-1B?
If you have an approved STEM OPT extension, your work authorization continues through the extension period, giving your employer time to file in the next H-1B lottery cycle. Without a STEM extension, you must stop working when your OPT expires unless another status applies. Cap-gap protection can bridge the gap if your employer files an H-1B petition before April 1 and your OPT expires before October 1 of that fiscal year.