OPT Accounting Jobs
Accounting is one of the more accessible fields for OPT students because most entry-level roles at public accounting firms require the same bachelor's degree in accounting that qualifies the position for future H-1B visa sponsorship. The Big Four and major regional firms hire large volumes of international graduates and have established programs for supporting the OPT-to-H1B transition.
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Location
Key Tower - 127 Public Square
Job Description
We Are Brookfield Properties:
At Brookfield Properties, our people are the foundation of our success.
The Brookfield Corporate team brings together subject matter experts who lead with confidence, adaptability, and resourcefulness. The corporate group works across all sectors of Brookfield’s real estate business – including housing, logistics, hospitality, office, and retail – collaborating with our best-in-class asset managers.
Efficiency is at the core of what we do. We seek to simplify, standardize, automate, and optimize—creating smarter solutions and maximizing value across every facet of Brookfield’s business. When you join the Brookfield Corporate team, you become part of a high-performing, collaborative environment where innovation and impact thrive.
We are seeking a Staff Accountant to join the Brookfield Properties Corporate Division in Cleveland. In this role, you will play a key part in inspiring change and continual improvement. If you are committed to excellence and ready to contribute to a dynamic culture, we would love to meet you.
The Staff Accountant focuses on the generation, preparation, and communication of information that is complete and accurate to support effective decision making, management, internal controls, and financial reporting. Staff Accountants are responsible for completing a wide range of corporate accounting, real estate accounting, and reporting activities within the Corporate Accounting & Reporting department, under the guidance and supervision of the Accounting Director and/or Manager. Staff Accountants may be responsible for corporate/service/management entities depending on the level of accounting complexity involved.
Role & Responsibilities:
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Preparing and analyzing journal entries on both GAAP, IFRS, and tax basis including but not limited to: standard entries, applicable reclassifications / adjustments, review of all income and expenses, accruals, overhead allocations, consolidations and eliminations, and intercompany transactions. Collaborating with business unit and property level colleagues to obtain necessary data and documentation to prepare and support journal entries.
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Preparation of financial statements and analyses for reporting requirements and corporate communications needs including but not limited to: Reporting templates, Investor reports, lender presentations, budgets, projections, schedules, reconciliations, footnotes, board books, earnings calls, and analysts requests and performing variance analysis, as required.
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Preparing and distributing periodic reports for various legal entities (properties, management services companies, partnerships), lending institutions (banks, institutional investors), and external auditors. Required periodic reports include but are not limited to: Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, Cash Flows statements, and debt reporting.
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Preparing reconciliations of general ledger accounts, as required. Ensuring completion of periodic accounting close checklists for respective entities.
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Supporting preparation of SOX 404 package including but not limited to: expense and income review, journal entries / supporting documentation, accounts payable and accounts receivable support, and fixed asset analysis. Performing tests of internal controls under SOX 404.
Your Qualifications:
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1-2 years of Public Accounting or Real Estate Accounting experience preferred
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Certified Public Account (CPA) Licensing or Candidate Preferred
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Advanced GAAP Principles and Processes
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Proficient Variance Analysis skills
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Proficient in Microsoft Office (Primarily Excel)
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Working knowledge of Journal Entry Creation and Analysis
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Working knowledge of Monthly, Quarterly and Year End Accounting Close Duties
Your Career @ Brookfield Properties:
At Brookfield Properties, your career progression is important to us. As a successful employee, you will have the opportunity to grow within your team, department, and across the Brookfield organization. Our leadership teams are dedicated to the accomplishments of their employees. We also invest time into training and developing our people. We take pride in knowing that 70% of our employees have more than 5 years of tenure.
End your job search and find your career today, at Brookfield Properties.
Why Brookfield Properties?
We imagine, create, and operate on a foundation of values to build a better world, together. Brookfield Properties strives to create spaces where going to work never feels routine. As a Brookfield Properties employee, you will enjoy many benefits such as 401K matching, tuition reimbursement, summer Fridays, paid maternity leave and more. There is also a generous employee referral program because we want our existing team members to help us build a more diverse workplace through their networks.
Compensation & Benefits:
Salary Type: Non-exempt
Pay Frequency: Bi-weekly
Annual Base Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000
Medical & Pharmacy Coverage: Yes, under Brookfield Medical Plan
Dental Coverage: Yes, under Brookfield Medical Plan
Vision Coverage: Yes, under Brookfield Medical Plan
Retirement: 401(k)
Insurance: Employer-paid life & short/long term disability
Brookfield Properties is an equal opportunity employer, and we foster an inviting, inclusive and collaborative environment.
We are proud to create a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are grateful for your interest in this position, however, only candidates selected for pre-screening will be contacted.
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Get Access To All JobsAccounting OPT Job Search Tips
Confirm your accounting role aligns with your degree field
OPT requires that your employment be directly related to your major. An accounting degree aligns with accounting, auditing, tax, and financial analysis roles. If you’re considering a role that feels adjacent, check with your DSO before accepting to protect your status.
CPA exam eligibility can strengthen your long-term position
Many U.S. accounting employers value candidates who are eligible to sit for the CPA exam. If your degree qualifies, beginning the exam process during your OPT window signals long-term commitment and makes you a stronger candidate for sponsorship conversations.
Large accounting firms have established OPT hiring processes
The Big Four, Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG, as well as many regional firms, regularly hire OPT students and have experienced HR teams who understand the EAD and E-Verify process. These firms are also active H-1B visa sponsors.
E-Verify enrollment matters for STEM OPT, but check if your degree qualifies
Some accounting degrees are classified as STEM (Management Information Systems, for example), while others aren’t. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO since this affects how much time you have to secure long-term sponsorship.
Tax season hiring cycles create real entry points
Many accounting firms hire heavily between October and January for busy season roles starting in January or February. Aligning your OPT start date with this hiring window can significantly improve your chances of landing an accounting role quickly.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship history when evaluating offers
Public accounting firms are generally strong H-1B sponsors, but smaller private firms vary widely. Asking about their history before accepting an offer, rather than after, saves you from difficult conversations later in your OPT window.
Accounting OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an accounting degree qualify for STEM OPT?
Standard accounting degrees are generally not STEM-designated, which means most accounting graduates work on the 12-month standard OPT rather than the 24-month extension. However, accounting programs with a strong data analytics or information systems component may qualify depending on the designated degree program list. Business analytics, financial data science, and accountancy combined with information systems degrees are more likely to carry STEM eligibility.
Do the Big Four accounting firms hire OPT students?
Yes, and the Big Four are among the most consistent hirers of F-1 graduates across their assurance, tax, and advisory practices. They have dedicated immigration teams, established OPT compliance processes, and a strong track record of H-1B sponsorship for successful employees. Recruiting timelines at the Big Four often start during the penultimate year of your degree, so engaging with campus recruiting early is important.
Can I sit for the CPA exam while on OPT?
Yes, working full-time on OPT does not prevent you from sitting for the CPA exam. Most states require 150 credit hours and a degree in accounting for licensure, and many OPT students work toward CPA licensure during their first few years of employment. Having an active CPA candidacy or completing sections of the exam while on OPT demonstrates professional commitment and is viewed positively by accounting employers considering you for long-term sponsorship.
What accounting roles are most likely to lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Roles at public accounting firms in assurance, tax, and advisory have the strongest sponsorship track records because the firms have the infrastructure and volume to support H-1B filings at scale. Corporate accounting roles at large companies in financial reporting, internal audit, and tax are also sponsored, though typically at lower volumes. Starting at a firm with an established sponsorship program is the most reliable strategy.
How should I address my OPT status during accounting interviews?
Be straightforward about your current OPT authorization and your eventual need for sponsorship. Most major accounting firms expect this conversation from international candidates and have answered these questions many times before. Framing it clearly, stating your OPT authorization period and approximate timeline before H-1B would be needed, shows planning and professionalism rather than creating uncertainty.