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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Get Access To All JobsBookkeeper
Migis Hotel Group - Portland, ME
Migis Hotel Group, a nimble, creative Maine-based hospitality management services company, is seeking a bookkeeper to join our Corporate Office team. The ideal candidate will have experience using cloud-based accounting software, strong analytical and communication skills, and an interest in supporting multiple client properties as part of a collaborative accounting team.
This role can be completed in a hybrid setting. Bookkeepers work on average two days per week at our office in Portland/Westbrook area.
Compensation: $24 - $27 per hour, depending on experience
Start date: ASAP
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits: Health insurance, PTO, 401k, discounted stays and food & beverage at affiliated properties
Experience: 2+ years’ experience working with bookkeeping/financial record keeping
Education: associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance strongly preferred
Job Summary Description:
Responsible for delivering effective financial controls and accurate, timely financial reporting for assigned client properties while using MHG resources efficiently and supporting the target profitability of each client engagement. This position maintains appropriate internal controls, ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and safeguards client assets.
Summary of Essential Job Functions:
- Manage daily bookkeeping operations for assigned properties using M3 and/or QuickBooks.
- Maintain organized accounting records and ensure all entries in the accounting software are supported by complete and accurate documentation.
- Prepare, record, and verify journal entries, ensuring proper debits and credits in accordance with GAAP.
- Cultivate clear, collaborative, and approachable communication across departments, coordinating regularly with general managers to support personnel at assigned properties.
- Review and verify revenue for accuracy and completeness.
- Perform timely bank and general ledger reconciliations to maintain accurate financial data.
- Review accounts payable entries submitted by property managers for accuracy, proper account coding, and alignment with budgets, accruals, prepaid expenses, and company policies; communicate needed corrections and maintain supporting schedules.
- Prepare and report the weekly accounts payable and cash position for assigned properties.
- Perform balance sheet reconciliations and account analysis, investigating discrepancies and resolving issues efficiently.
- Maintain the month-end close process, including recording accruals, ensuring all revenues and expenses are recorded in the appropriate month, and producing timely and accurate month-end financial reports tied to supporting schedules.
- Compile, calculate, reconcile, and file sales and use tax returns and 1099s accurately and on time, in accordance with applicable state, county, and city requirements.
- Set up and maintain vendor records, verify W-9 information, and maintain current certificates of insurance for vendors.
- Assist the Director of Accounting and business partners with client requests, reporting needs, and other accounting priorities.
Minimum Requirements:
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance strongly preferred
- Knowledge of GAAP; familiarity with USALI is a plus
- Experience with M3 Accounting Core and QuickBooks, or similar accounting platforms
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
- Strong analytical and organizational skills
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Critical-thinking skills, including the ability to anticipate the potential consequences and implications of actions
- Resourcefulness in finding answers or identifying the appropriate person to provide them
- Flexibility in using different reporting methods to produce consistent, comparable information
- Ability to consistently meet deadlines
- Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively as part of a team
DISCLAIMER
The statements above describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position. Employees may be asked to perform duties outside their usual responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
Bookkeeper
Migis Hotel Group - Portland, ME
Migis Hotel Group, a nimble, creative Maine-based hospitality management services company, is seeking a bookkeeper to join our Corporate Office team. The ideal candidate will have experience using cloud-based accounting software, strong analytical and communication skills, and an interest in supporting multiple client properties as part of a collaborative accounting team.
This role can be completed in a hybrid setting. Bookkeepers work on average two days per week at our office in Portland/Westbrook area.
Compensation: $24 - $27 per hour, depending on experience
Start date: ASAP
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits: Health insurance, PTO, 401k, discounted stays and food & beverage at affiliated properties
Experience: 2+ years’ experience working with bookkeeping/financial record keeping
Education: associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance strongly preferred
Job Summary Description:
Responsible for delivering effective financial controls and accurate, timely financial reporting for assigned client properties while using MHG resources efficiently and supporting the target profitability of each client engagement. This position maintains appropriate internal controls, ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, and safeguards client assets.
Summary of Essential Job Functions:
- Manage daily bookkeeping operations for assigned properties using M3 and/or QuickBooks.
- Maintain organized accounting records and ensure all entries in the accounting software are supported by complete and accurate documentation.
- Prepare, record, and verify journal entries, ensuring proper debits and credits in accordance with GAAP.
- Cultivate clear, collaborative, and approachable communication across departments, coordinating regularly with general managers to support personnel at assigned properties.
- Review and verify revenue for accuracy and completeness.
- Perform timely bank and general ledger reconciliations to maintain accurate financial data.
- Review accounts payable entries submitted by property managers for accuracy, proper account coding, and alignment with budgets, accruals, prepaid expenses, and company policies; communicate needed corrections and maintain supporting schedules.
- Prepare and report the weekly accounts payable and cash position for assigned properties.
- Perform balance sheet reconciliations and account analysis, investigating discrepancies and resolving issues efficiently.
- Maintain the month-end close process, including recording accruals, ensuring all revenues and expenses are recorded in the appropriate month, and producing timely and accurate month-end financial reports tied to supporting schedules.
- Compile, calculate, reconcile, and file sales and use tax returns and 1099s accurately and on time, in accordance with applicable state, county, and city requirements.
- Set up and maintain vendor records, verify W-9 information, and maintain current certificates of insurance for vendors.
- Assist the Director of Accounting and business partners with client requests, reporting needs, and other accounting priorities.
Minimum Requirements:
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance strongly preferred
- Knowledge of GAAP; familiarity with USALI is a plus
- Experience with M3 Accounting Core and QuickBooks, or similar accounting platforms
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
- Strong analytical and organizational skills
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Critical-thinking skills, including the ability to anticipate the potential consequences and implications of actions
- Resourcefulness in finding answers or identifying the appropriate person to provide them
- Flexibility in using different reporting methods to produce consistent, comparable information
- Ability to consistently meet deadlines
- Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively as part of a team
DISCLAIMER
The statements above describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position. Employees may be asked to perform duties outside their usual responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
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.