Accounting Associate Jobs for OPT Students
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 sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Our client, an investment management company, is seeking an Accounting Associate to join their accounting team. This individual will sit out of their Boston, MA office and be required to be in-office at least 3 days/week.
ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE - JOB SUMMARY
This accounting professional will support our client's financial accounting, reporting, and corporate operations. This role works closely with teams across finance, investment operations, compliance, and HR, helping ensure accurate, timely reporting for a complex investment portfolio and internal corporate activities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage daily accounting and reporting for selected investment‑related accounts
- Coordinate with external service providers to ensure accurate processing of transactions, valuations, and performance records
- Support accounts payable processing and review employee travel & expense submissions
- Maintain vendor records and resolve invoice‑related issues
- Assist with month‑end and year‑end close activities, including general ledger reconciliations across investment and non‑investment accounts
- Contribute to annual audits, fiscal year‑end close processes, and corporate budgeting efforts
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- BS Accounting or Finance
- Accounting and/or Finance Internships experience, and/or 1-2 years of accounting experience
- Must understand accounting; debits/credits
- Must have a good attitude, motivated to learn
- Excel a must and QuickBooks are a huge plus
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Great people, and work/life balance
- Fantastic benefits, compensation, bonus, retirement, etc.
- Free lunch on Tuesdays!
- Lots of visibility, training, development, mentoring
- Good possibility of promotion (based on performance in seat)
Interested? Candidates should apply here but can also connect with John Bresnahan for further emphasis.
Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more.
All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.
© 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.
INTRODUCTION
Our client, an investment management company, is seeking an Accounting Associate to join their accounting team. This individual will sit out of their Boston, MA office and be required to be in-office at least 3 days/week.
ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE - JOB SUMMARY
This accounting professional will support our client's financial accounting, reporting, and corporate operations. This role works closely with teams across finance, investment operations, compliance, and HR, helping ensure accurate, timely reporting for a complex investment portfolio and internal corporate activities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manage daily accounting and reporting for selected investment‑related accounts
- Coordinate with external service providers to ensure accurate processing of transactions, valuations, and performance records
- Support accounts payable processing and review employee travel & expense submissions
- Maintain vendor records and resolve invoice‑related issues
- Assist with month‑end and year‑end close activities, including general ledger reconciliations across investment and non‑investment accounts
- Contribute to annual audits, fiscal year‑end close processes, and corporate budgeting efforts
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- BS Accounting or Finance
- Accounting and/or Finance Internships experience, and/or 1-2 years of accounting experience
- Must understand accounting; debits/credits
- Must have a good attitude, motivated to learn
- Excel a must and QuickBooks are a huge plus
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Great people, and work/life balance
- Fantastic benefits, compensation, bonus, retirement, etc.
- Free lunch on Tuesdays!
- Lots of visibility, training, development, mentoring
- Good possibility of promotion (based on performance in seat)
Interested? Candidates should apply here but can also connect with John Bresnahan for further emphasis.
Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm that connects highly qualified job seekers to opportunities at great companies. We offer contract, temporary and permanent placement solutions for finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, and administrative and customer support roles. Robert Half works to put you in the best position to succeed. We provide access to top jobs, competitive compensation and benefits, and free online training. Stay on top of every opportunity - whenever you choose - even on the go. Download the Robert Half app and get 1-tap apply, notifications of AI-matched jobs, and much more.
All applicants applying for U.S. job openings must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Benefits are available to contract/temporary professionals, including medical, vision, dental, and life and disability insurance. Hired contract/temporary professionals are also eligible to enroll in our company 401(k) plan. Visit roberthalf.gobenefits.net for more information.
© 2025 Robert Half. An Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/Disability/Veterans. By clicking “Apply Now,” you’re agreeing to Robert Half’s Terms of Use and Privacy Notice.
How to Get Visa 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 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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