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.

See All OPT Certified Public Accountant Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs28+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type82% On-site
Median Salary$87K
Top LocationChicago, IL
Most JobsCalibre CPA Group, PLLC

Showing 5 of 28+ Certified Public Accountant jobs

ADP
CPA District Manager
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ADP
Added 4d ago
CPA District Manager
ADP
Atlanta, Georgia
Sales
Account Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Enterprise Sales
Business Development
Hybrid
1+ yr exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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UWorld
CPA Educator
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UWorld
Added 2w ago
CPA Educator
UWorld
Coppell, Texas
Finance
Accounting
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Learning & Development
Corporate Training
Audit
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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RÖDL USA
German Certified Public Accountant
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RÖDL USA
Added 2mo ago
German Certified Public Accountant
RÖDL USA
Chicago, Illinois
Finance
Accounting
Partnerships & Business Development
Consulting & Professional Services
Audit
Tax
Business Development
$90,000/yr - $150,000/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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AlphaX
Senior Tax Professional / CPA
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AlphaX
Added 2mo ago
Senior Tax Professional / CPA
AlphaX
Greensboro, North Carolina
Finance
Accounting
Compliance & Legal
Tax
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Remnant Management
CPA or Financial Analyst
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Remnant Management
Added 5mo ago
CPA or Financial Analyst
Remnant Management
Lillington, North Carolina
Finance
Accounting
Audit
Tax
$75,000/yr - $85,000/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Tips 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.