OPT Audit Specialist Jobs
Audit Specialist roles qualify for OPT work authorization when your degree is in accounting, finance, or a related field. Most positions involve internal controls, financial statement review, and compliance testing, making them strong fits for STEM-adjacent business programs that may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
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Get Access To All JobsCLA is a top 10 national professional services firm whose purpose is to create opportunities every day, for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. Even with more than 8,500 people, 130 U.S. locations, and a global reach, we promise to know you and help you.
CLA is dedicated to building a culture that invites different beliefs and perspectives to the table, so we can truly know and help our clients, communities, and each other.
CLA is currently seeking an Experienced Audit Associate to join our Albuquerque, NM or Phoenix/Tucson, AZ offices.
As an Audit Associate, you will:
- Perform the detail work of audits, review, some compilations, and other assurance services for clients.
- Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
- Help build detailed reports on audit findings.
- Support multiple client engagements of varying size and complexity, on time and within budget, and communicate progress and audit results to supervisors.
- Complete assigned portions of engagements with consistency and accuracy and within tight time frames.
- Proactively interact and communicate with clients to gather information to ensure timely engagement wrap-up.
- Audit complex areas/transactions as well as prepare financial statements and related reports.
What you will need:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
- 1 year of relevant experience preferred (prior experience via internship(s) may be acceptable).
- Eligible to sit for CPA exam preferred.
You are looking for a firm that will support and foster your aspiring career goals.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
Wellness at CLA
To support our CLA family members, we focus on their physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being and offer comprehensive benefit options that include health, dental, vision, 401k and much more.
CLA is a top 10 national professional services firm whose purpose is to create opportunities every day, for our clients, our people, and our communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. Even with more than 8,500 people, 130 U.S. locations, and a global reach, we promise to know you and help you.
CLA is dedicated to building a culture that invites different beliefs and perspectives to the table, so we can truly know and help our clients, communities, and each other.
CLA is currently seeking an Experienced Audit Associate to join our Albuquerque, NM or Phoenix/Tucson, AZ offices.
As an Audit Associate, you will:
- Perform the detail work of audits, review, some compilations, and other assurance services for clients.
- Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
- Help build detailed reports on audit findings.
- Support multiple client engagements of varying size and complexity, on time and within budget, and communicate progress and audit results to supervisors.
- Complete assigned portions of engagements with consistency and accuracy and within tight time frames.
- Proactively interact and communicate with clients to gather information to ensure timely engagement wrap-up.
- Audit complex areas/transactions as well as prepare financial statements and related reports.
What you will need:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
- 1 year of relevant experience preferred (prior experience via internship(s) may be acceptable).
- Eligible to sit for CPA exam preferred.
You are looking for a firm that will support and foster your aspiring career goals.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
Wellness at CLA
To support our CLA family members, we focus on their physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being and offer comprehensive benefit options that include health, dental, vision, 401k and much more.
See all 258+ OPT Audit Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Audit Specialist
Lead with your academic credentials
Audit roles require a degree match to your job duties for OPT authorization. Highlight your accounting or finance coursework prominently on your resume so hiring managers and DSOs can quickly confirm your work authorization is valid for the role.
Target firms with established OPT hiring pipelines
Large public accounting firms and financial institutions hire OPT students regularly and have HR teams familiar with work authorization documentation. These employers are less likely to withdraw an offer due to confusion about OPT eligibility or EAD requirements.
Clarify your OPT end date upfront
Audit hiring cycles are long. Be transparent about your OPT expiration date during early conversations so employers can plan for H-1B visa sponsorship if needed. Surprises late in the process cause withdrawals that earlier disclosure would have prevented entirely.
Pursue CPA exam progress before job searching
Passing one or more CPA exam sections signals long-term commitment to audit as a career. Employers weighing whether to sponsor your H-1B later will view CPA progress as reducing turnover risk, making OPT candidates more competitive against candidates with permanent work authorization.
Check whether your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Degrees in information systems, data analytics, or quantitative finance may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. That additional runway gives audit employers twice as much time before needing to file for H-1B sponsorship, which meaningfully increases your chances of an offer.
Prepare your EAD documentation before interviews progress
Have your EAD card, I-20 with OPT authorization, and university DSO contact ready before reaching the offer stage. Audit firms verify employment eligibility carefully during onboarding, and delays in producing documentation can slow start dates or create unnecessary complications.
Audit Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Audit Specialist on OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in accounting, finance, business, or a closely related field. The key requirement is that your job duties must be directly related to your area of study. Audit Specialist roles involving financial statement review, internal controls, and compliance testing typically satisfy this requirement for OPT work authorization.
Do Audit Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If you hold a degree in a STEM-designated field, such as management information systems, data analytics, or quantitative finance, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. A standard accounting or finance degree typically does not qualify, but confirm your specific degree program with your DSO.
How do I find Audit Specialist jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers willing to work with OPT work authorization. Searching there saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that a company won't proceed with OPT candidates. Large public accounting firms are also consistently strong options.
Will audit employers sponsor my H-1B after my OPT ends?
Many large public accounting firms and corporate audit departments have sponsored H-1B visas for audit professionals, but it is never guaranteed. H-1B sponsorship is an employer decision made case by case. Raising it early in your conversations, demonstrating strong performance, and advancing your CPA credentials all improve the likelihood of a sponsorship commitment.
What documents does an audit employer need to verify my OPT work authorization?
Your employer will need your EAD card showing the valid employment authorization period, your passport, and your I-20 with the OPT authorization page. Audit firms often have structured I-9 verification processes and may also request your DSO contact for confirmation. Having all documents ready before your start date prevents onboarding delays.