OPT Accounting Associate Jobs
Accounting Associate jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in accounting, finance, or business. Most roles qualify as STEM-adjacent through CIP codes tied to financial analysis, and many employers in public accounting and corporate finance have established OPT sponsorship workflows. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to demonstrate value and build toward H-1B visa sponsorship.
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INTRODUCTION
We are looking for a sharp, proactive Accounting Coordinator to join our lean and mean accounting team in Winston-Salem.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What You’ll Do as an Accounting Coordinator
- Own the Billing Cycle: Direct the complete billing process for third-party general contractors and expanding specialty segments.
- Portal & System Integration: Manage third-party payer logins, navigate external billing portals, and transfer data from Salesforce into Adaptive Planning with total accuracy.
- Operations & Field Collaboration: Work closely with Field Accountants, Branch Managers, and Operations leaders to verify pay applications, Schedule of Values, lien waivers, and change orders prior to client delivery.
- Process Improvement: As a key Billing Coordinator, proactively identify bottlenecks, monitor aging specialty invoices, and streamline billing procedures to optimize healthy cash flow.
- System Reconciliation: Reconcile billing data across Salesforce, NetSuite, Coupa, Adaptive Planning, and customer POs to supply leadership with real-time financial updates.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements / Qualifications:
- 3+ years of experience in billing, project accounting, construction accounting, or job-cost accounting.
- Experience with Salesforce and budgeting/ERP software (Adaptive Planning, NetSuite, QuickBooks).
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills (formulas, PivotTables, lookups).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What You Bring To The Team
- Experience: 3+ years of consecutive, hands-on experience in billing, project accounting, or financial administration.
- Technical Skills: Deep understanding of core accounting principles, experience with Salesforce and budgeting/accounting tools (Adaptive, NetSuite, QuickBooks, or Coupa), and strong Microsoft Excel skills.
- Key Competencies: A precision mindset, strong organizational skills, and the drive to independently research discrepancies and follow up on missing information.
- Education: Associate's or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration preferred (or equivalent relevant work experience).
COMPENSATION
- Pay: $60,000 – $65,000 / year
BENEFITS
- God-honoring company; Paid time off (Vacation, Sick, 9 Holidays, 2 Floating, 1 Volunteer day); Medical, Dental, and Vision plan options; Life, Accident, and Disability Insurance; HSA/FSA; 401(k) Match; Career Advancement; Free Online Classes; Mental Health & Financial Support; Pay on Demand + Cash Back; English/Spanish Learning.
LOCATION / WORK TYPE
- Location: 2325 S. Stratford Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 | 100% In-Office (0% Travel)
- Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
CULTURE
At The Budd Group, we don’t just maintain facilities—we build great relationships and even better careers! As a family-owned, God-honoring company, we prioritize our team members with comprehensive benefits, ongoing training, and genuine career development.
WHY WORK FOR THE BUDD GROUP?
- Clear pathways for professional growth and leadership advancement within an industry-leading company.
- Robust employee support programs, including mental health resources, financial wellness tools, and bilingual learning modules.
- A collaborative, high-integrity environment where your ideas for workflow improvements are actively implemented!
The Budd Group Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law or regulation.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Accounting Associate
Target firms with H-1B sponsorship history
Public accounting firms like the Big Four and regional CPA firms file H-1B visa petitions regularly. Prioritizing employers with documented sponsorship history dramatically improves your odds of transitioning from OPT to long-term work authorization after your authorized period ends.
Clarify your OPT authorization upfront
When applying, be specific: you have a valid EAD card authorizing employment in accounting roles. Avoid vague phrases like 'need sponsorship.' Most accounting employers understand OPT and appreciate candidates who communicate their authorization status clearly and confidently from the first interaction.
Pursue your CPA exam during OPT
Sitting for the CPA exam while on OPT signals long-term commitment to the profession. Many employers actively sponsor CPA candidates for H-1B because licensed accountants are harder to replace. Check your state board's eligibility rules, as requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Apply early if you have STEM OPT extension eligibility
If your degree falls under an eligible STEM CIP code, such as financial mathematics or financial analytics, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm eligibility with your DSO before accepting an offer, since this significantly extends your authorized work period.
Highlight software proficiency in applications
Accounting employers value candidates fluent in QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics. OPT students who demonstrate technical accounting software skills reduce employer onboarding concerns and strengthen the case that sponsoring your H-1B is a worthwhile long-term investment for the firm.
Network within professional accounting associations
Organizations like the AICPA and state CPA societies host events where international students connect with hiring managers. Many firms that sponsor H-1B visas recruit actively through these networks, making membership a practical strategy during your OPT job search in accounting.
Accounting Associate OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Accounting Associate role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title. Accounting degrees classified under CIP 52.0301 (Accounting) are not STEM-designated, but degrees in financial mathematics, data analytics, or management information systems often are. If your program is STEM-designated, you can apply for a 24-month extension through your DSO, giving you up to three years of OPT work authorization total.
Will accounting employers sponsor me for an H-1B after my OPT ends?
Many do, particularly Big Four firms, regional CPA firms, and large corporate finance teams that hire internationally trained staff regularly. Accounting roles qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. Your best leverage is performing well during OPT, pursuing your CPA license, and having the H-1B conversation with your manager well before your EAD expiration date.
What documents do I need to show an accounting employer when starting work on OPT?
You'll need your valid EAD card, your current F-1 visa stamp, and your I-20 with an OPT authorization endorsement from your DSO. Employers complete Form I-9 and record your EAD details, including the expiration date. Make sure your employer's HR team notes the expiration so they initiate any H-1B or extension process well in advance of your authorization ending.
Can I work for a public accounting firm as a 1099 contractor on OPT?
No. OPT requires that your employment be in a legitimate employer-employee relationship relevant to your degree. Self-employment and independent contracting on a 1099 basis are not permitted under standard OPT authorization. If you're considering freelance bookkeeping or consulting work, speak with your DSO first, since unauthorized self-employment can jeopardize your F-1 status.
Where can I find Accounting Associate jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists accounting roles specifically filtered for F-1 OPT and visa sponsorship candidates, so you're not sifting through postings from employers who won't work with international students. Browsing Migrate Mate saves time by surfacing roles where employers have already indicated openness to OPT work authorization, which is a meaningful filter when your job search timeline is tied to your EAD expiration.