OPT Accounting Assistant Jobs
Accounting Assistant jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in accounting, finance, or business administration. Most roles qualify as STEM-adjacent under CIP codes tied to financial analysis, giving some graduates access to the 24-month STEM OPT extension when sponsored by an E-Verify employer.
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Company Description
Veolia's ambition is to be the benchmark company for ecological transformation. With nearly 230,000 employees worldwide, the Group designs and delivers innovative, useful and practical solutions for water, waste and energy management. Through its three complementary businesses, Veolia contributes to developing access to resources, preserving available resources and replenishing them. In 2021, the Veolia group supplied 79 million people with drinking water and 61 million with wastewater, produced nearly 48 million megawatt-hours and recovered 48 million metric tons of waste. Veolia Environnement (Paris Euronext: VIE) achieved consolidated sales of 28.508 billion euros in 2021.
Job Description
Position Purpose:
Responsible for assisting in the compilation, review, and analyses of all accounting (including supporting documentation and initial preparation of journals necessary for monthly closing process). Provide support for accounting, financial reporting, and/or contract billing, and other ad hoc requirements. Provides support to the Accounting Clerk with the data verification and monthly billing. Ensures best practices are used and integrity in the accounting processes.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Assists in the accounting, reporting and contract billing of the Company including but not limited to the preparation and review of various accounting or billing processes, reports and work papers.
- Assist in the accounting, reporting and rate case support of assigned functional financial line items for all Veolia regulated business units including but not limited to the preparation, analysis and review of income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and various other accounting or rate case statements.
- Establish, evaluate, and continually update process, practice, and policy documentation relating to fixed assets, leases, and working capital transactions.
- Assist in the analyses of financial statement results and the preparation of performance actual to actuals variance analysis/explanations on P/L & B/S accounts according to company policy and practices.
- Assist in ensuring the accuracy of financial statements and technical compliance to US GAAP, internal controls, and company policy.
- Support the month end and year end closing activities.
- Perform key account analysis and/or prepare account reconciliations.
- Interact with internal and external auditors on an as-needed basis.
- Collect, build and analyze data sets, and business process data for robotic process automation and validation.
- Apply analytical skills to the development and enhancement of business automations that drive optimization.
- Participate in special projects on an assigned basis.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Qualifications
Education/Experience/Background:
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting required or work equivalent if degree is in Business Administration.
- Professional or post graduate degree, a plus.
- Minimum of one year of public accounting experience desirable.
- Corporate and/or multi-subsidiary experience preferred.
- Experience in shared service environment preferred.
- Experience in utility industry, a plus.
- Experience in data visualization and system implementation, a plus.
- Experience with standardization and automation of business processes, a plus.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Have the mindset of process improvements.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
- Strong quantitative, analytical, systemic and problem solving skills.
- Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Knowledge of regulated utilities accounting and ASC 980 is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including pivot and look-up table functionalities.
- Knowledge and experience with Power Plan, PeopleSoft, or other ERP software is desirable.
Required Certification/Licenses/Training:
- CPA or CPA candidate a plus.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job:
- The employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell.
- The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.
Additional Information
Pay Range: $77,000 to $85,500 Per Year.
Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.
Sick leave – 56 hours; Observed Holidays – 11 days; Vacation – Flexible Time Off
Eligible for up to 5% Annual Performance Bonus.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Accounting Assistant
Target E-Verify employers from the start
Only E-Verify employers can sponsor STEM OPT extensions. Filter your Accounting Assistant search to companies already enrolled in E-Verify so you're not disqualified from a 24-month extension later when you need it most.
Lead with your accounting software skills
Employers hiring Accounting Assistants on OPT want to see QuickBooks, SAP, or NetSuite proficiency upfront. Listing these tools prominently signals you can contribute immediately, which offsets sponsorship hesitation for some hiring managers.
Apply before your OPT start date is too close
Employers need time to complete onboarding and I-9 verification. Start applying at least 60 to 90 days before your OPT begin date so you're not starting interviews when employers see your authorization window as too narrow.
Frame your degree field precisely on your resume
STEM OPT eligibility hinges on your CIP code. If your degree is in accounting or finance, make that explicit. Vague references to a business degree can cause employers to underestimate your extension eligibility during the hiring conversation.
Prioritize mid-sized accounting firms and corporate finance teams
Large public accounting firms and corporate finance departments hire Accounting Assistants regularly and often have established OPT sponsorship processes. They're more likely to have HR teams familiar with I-9 compliance and STEM extension paperwork.
Address OPT status directly in your cover letter
Briefly stating your OPT authorization period and STEM extension eligibility removes ambiguity early. Employers who might otherwise screen you out due to sponsorship assumptions can see your full authorized work window before the interview stage.
Accounting Assistant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Accounting Assistant on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes. OPT work authorization is granted by USCIS through your DSO and doesn't require employer sponsorship to begin. Your employer simply completes I-9 verification using your EAD card. Sponsorship only becomes relevant if you later need an H-1B visa or want your employer to support a STEM OPT extension, which requires them to be E-Verify enrolled and file a formal training plan with your DSO.
Does an Accounting Assistant role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. If your degree is in accounting (CIP 52.0301), finance (CIP 52.0801), or a related quantitative business field, your role may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your DSO confirms eligibility based on your degree, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and submit a formal training plan using Form I-983.
How do I find Accounting Assistant jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings to employers who are actively open to sponsoring or hiring candidates on work authorization. Searching there saves time compared to filtering through general job boards where OPT status often leads to early screening. Look for roles at E-Verify employers if you want to preserve your STEM extension option.
What happens to my OPT if I'm laid off from an Accounting Assistant job?
You enter a 60-day unemployment grace period. During this time you must find a new qualifying position or depart the United States. Accounting is a consistent hiring field, so the 60-day window is workable, but you should begin your search immediately. Unemployment days also accumulate across your OPT period and cannot exceed 90 days total for standard OPT or 150 days for STEM OPT.
Does an Accounting Assistant position count as a qualifying job for OPT purposes?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. If you studied accounting, finance, or business administration, an Accounting Assistant position supporting bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable, or financial reporting qualifies. You should document the connection between your duties and your coursework in case your DSO requests verification, which is standard practice during OPT reporting periods.