OPT Accounting Intern Jobs
Accounting Intern roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with a finance or accounting degree. Most positions involve bookkeeping, reconciliations, and financial reporting, which align directly with OPT's requirement that your work relate to your field of study. STEM OPT extensions are not available for this role.
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Job Summary
Milwaukee Public Schools is actively recruiting qualified candidates for the School Bookkeeper 10-month position. A School Bookkeeper maintains accounts relative to school generated funds and prepares bank deposits.
Applications for School Bookkeeper are being accepted by the Office of Human Resources through Sunday, August 16, 2026. All applicants must upload the following items to the application:
- A current resume
- Official degree conferred transcripts
If you are unable to electronically attach these documents, please email them to Cassandra Morales-Salcedo at morac2@milwaukeepublicschools.org.
The School Bookkeeper 10-month salary range is $39,819 - $53,769 per 10 months/200 days.
Responsibilities
- Combines funds from various school organizations and activities, prepares bank deposits for armored car pick-up, and maintains a cash receipts journal.
- Accepts requests for fund disbursement from the advisors of various organizations and activities; write school checks to satisfy school financial obligations; presents school accompanied by payment authorization forms to the principal for signature and mailing; maintains a cash disbursement journal for the recording of actual cash disbursement through the issuing of school checks.
- Initiates general journal transactions for the recording of all other school financial transactions not involving the actual receipt or disbursement of cash.
- Prepare monthly bank reconciliations, statements of school account receipts, disbursement and fund balances; prepare school financial reports under the direction of the Accounting Division for use by principals, advisors and other users of school financial reports.
- Prepare, monitor, and reconcile receipts for student fees and activities.
- Prepares IFAS purchase requisitions and submits to MPS Procurement to result in purchase orders. Corresponds with suppliers regarding invoices and verifies accuracy of vendor's invoices.
- Processes invoices through IFAS payment module.
- Processes IFAS requisitions for contracts.
- Processes school travel activities through MPS IFAS travel system.
- Maintains perpetual inventory of fixed assets through IFAS.
- Actively supports the MPS Strategic Plan.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Eligible applicants MUST have the following:
Education Requirements:
- Associate's degree in Accounting or Finance; or the equivalent of four years full-time experience in Accounting related work.
Experience Requirements:
- A minimum of two years of experience with cash handling, accounting practices and internal controls.
- Valid driver's license and transportation at time of and during entire time of employment.
A combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The Milwaukee Public Schools does not discriminate in its programs, activities, facilities, employment, or educational opportunities on the basis of a person's sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.
In accordance with Wisconsin Statutes, every applicant for a position with Milwaukee Public Schools will be subject to the open records law. Any applicant not wishing to have his/her identity released, must submit a written statement to that effect to the Office of Human Resources. The identities of all "final candidates" may be released. Milwaukee Public Schools reserves the right to interview the best qualified candidates.
How To Apply
Interested applicants should complete all sections of the application including the online submission of a current resume and official degree conferred transcripts.
Applications for the following position are being accepted by the Office of Human Resources through Sunday, August 16, 2026. No applications or application materials will be accepted after the deadline date.
If you are (or your spouse is) a military veteran, please also attach a copy of your/your spouse's DD214 form.
Appointment is subject to a criminal background check, a drug/alcohol test and credential verification.
If you have any questions, please contact Cassandra Morales-Salcedo at morac2@milwaukeepublicschools.org or 414-777-7879.
Other Information
THE SELECTION PROCESS: will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: education and experience evaluation; written, oral or performance tests; or other assessment methods. The Office of Human Resources reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral and performance examinations. Oral examinations may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job. Applicants will be notified by email the date, time and place of the examination.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Accounting Intern
Lead with your OPT authorization upfront
Include a clear line in your resume header or cover letter stating you have OPT work authorization and your current end date. Accounting teams move fast during busy seasons, and removing ambiguity early keeps your application in contention.
Target firms that regularly hire international students
Regional CPA firms and Big Four affiliates have established processes for onboarding OPT students. Mid-size firms with active campus recruiting programs are often more flexible on authorization status than smaller boutique practices with no prior experience.
Align your degree field to the job description explicitly
OPT requires your work to be directly related to your degree. If your degree is in finance, accounting, or business administration, call that connection out clearly in your cover letter. Vague applications raise questions that cost you the interview.
Apply well before your OPT start date
Many accounting internships run on semester or busy-season cycles. Apply at least six to eight weeks before your OPT authorization begins so onboarding paperwork can be completed without delays tied to your work authorization start date.
Prepare your I-20 and EAD card for onboarding
When you receive an offer, employers will complete Form I-9 and verify your work authorization. Have your EAD card and current I-20 ready. Some HR teams are unfamiliar with OPT, so being organized and calm makes the process smoother.
Highlight software skills relevant to accounting roles
Proficiency in QuickBooks, Excel, or SAP significantly strengthens applications for accounting internships. These technical skills demonstrate immediate value and shift the conversation away from your visa status toward your qualifications and readiness to contribute.
Accounting Intern OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Accounting Intern on F-1 OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. If your degree is in accounting, finance, or a related business discipline, an Accounting Intern position satisfies OPT's practical training requirement. Your DSO at your university's international student office can confirm your specific degree qualifies before you accept an offer.
Do Accounting Intern positions qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
No. Accounting and finance are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, so standard OPT lasts 12 months. If you're approaching the end of that window, your employer would need to sponsor an H-1B visa or another visa type to continue employment. Plan your job search timeline accordingly and monitor your OPT end date closely.
How do I find Accounting Intern roles that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters roles by sponsorship and authorization type. Rather than applying broadly and finding out late in the process that a company won't hire OPT students, Migrate Mate lets you browse accounting internships where employers are already open to your work authorization status.
Will an accounting firm need to do anything special to hire me on OPT?
No petition or government filing is required. Your employer completes Form I-9 and records your EAD card details, the same process used for any employee. There is no sponsorship cost or USCIS involvement for OPT hires. Some HR departments are unfamiliar with EAD cards, so bring your card and your I-20 to your first day to make verification straightforward.
What happens if my Accounting Intern role ends before my OPT expires?
You enter a 60-day unemployment grace period, during which you can search for a new position. OPT rules allow up to 90 cumulative days of unemployment. If you find a new role that relates to your degree field, you can start working without any additional paperwork beyond updating your record with your DSO.