OPT Certified Public Accountant Jobs
Certified Public Accountant jobs on OPT are available at public accounting firms, corporate finance teams, and government agencies. CPA licensure requirements vary by state, but your F-1 OPT work authorization is fully valid for paid CPA roles. STEM OPT extension may apply if your degree is in accounting or a related field.
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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.
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.
See all OPT Certified Public Accountant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Certified Public Accountant
Target firms with established OPT hiring pipelines
The Big Four and large regional accounting firms hire F-1 OPT students regularly and have HR processes in place for work authorization. Smaller firms may be willing but less experienced with the paperwork, so expect more education conversations.
Lead with your CPA exam progress
Passing CPA exam sections before or during OPT signals commitment and reduces employer concern about investing in a candidate who may not stay. Even one section passed strengthens your candidacy significantly when competing against domestic applicants.
Know your STEM OPT eligibility before you apply
Accounting degrees from STEM-designated programs may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving employers up to three years before H-1B visa sponsorship is needed. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before interviewing.
Address OPT timing proactively with recruiters
Accounting firms plan hiring in cycles. Being upfront about your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility early in the process prevents late-stage rejections. Recruiters appreciate candidates who understand their own timeline and can explain it clearly.
Focus on public accounting first, then industry transitions
Public accounting firms sponsor H-1B visas at higher rates than most corporate finance teams. Starting in public accounting builds credentials, CPA progress, and sponsor relationships that make transitioning to industry roles on an H-1B far more straightforward.
Emphasize specialized technical skills that are harder to source domestically
International tax, transfer pricing, and forensic accounting are areas where specialized expertise is genuinely scarce. Framing your background around a high-demand niche shifts the conversation from visa overhead to skills the employer actually needs.
Certified Public Accountant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Certified Public Accountant on F-1 OPT without being licensed?
Yes. OPT authorizes you to work in accounting roles related to your degree even before you hold a CPA license. You can perform accounting work under a licensed CPA's supervision while pursuing licensure. Many employers hire OPT candidates into staff accountant or associate roles with the expectation that licensure follows.
Does my accounting degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your program's CIP code. Some accounting programs, particularly those integrated with data analytics, information systems, or quantitative finance, carry STEM-designated CIP codes that qualify for the 24-month extension. Check with your DSO to confirm. If you completed a dual degree with a STEM field, that degree may also qualify you independently.
How do I find CPA firms that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the best place to search for Certified Public Accountant jobs that are open to OPT candidates. Beyond job boards, the Big Four and large regional firms have established OPT hiring processes and are your highest-probability targets. Industry-specific accounting roles in healthcare, financial services, and technology also sponsor at meaningful rates.
Will CPA exam requirements affect my OPT employment options?
Licensure requirements don't restrict your OPT employment, but they do affect career progression and sponsorship decisions. Most states require 150 credit hours for CPA licensure. If your degree program was 120 hours, you may need additional coursework, which can overlap with your OPT period. Employers hiring OPT candidates for CPA-track roles generally expect you to be actively working toward that 150-hour requirement.
What happens to my CPA job if my OPT expires before H-1B approval?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires and USCIS issues a timely filing receipt, you're covered by a cap-gap extension through September 30 of that year. If the H-1B isn't selected in the lottery, you'll need to stop working. STEM OPT holders have more runway, since the extension pushes your timeline out by two years.