OPT Chief Financial Officer Jobs
Chief Financial Officer jobs on OPT are rare but achievable, particularly at growth-stage startups and mid-size companies willing to sponsor. Your 12-month OPT window is tight for a role with long hiring cycles, so STEM extension eligibility through finance-adjacent degrees can meaningfully extend your timeline.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Building: 617 West 168th Street, 2nd Flr
Salary Range: $79,500 - $91,700
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Associate Director of Human Resources and Staff Development, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), the Finance Coordinator provides financial management of all EH&S finance processes. This role ensures fiscal integrity, operational efficiency, and compliance with University policies while advancing the mission of EH&S.
The Finance Coordinator serves as the primary liaison to University Finance, represents departmental interests in institutional initiatives, and drives continuous improvement across business processes. The position oversees financial reporting and analysis to evaluate cost efficiency and ensures strong internal controls and audit readiness. Incumbent will work with the EVPR Associate Director of Finance to adhere to set budget parameters.
This role requires sound judgment, discretion in handling confidential matters, cross-functional collaboration, the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic environment, and a thorough understanding of/strict adherence to University finance policies.
SUBJECT TO BUSINESS NEEDS, WE MAY SUPPORT FLEXIBLE AND HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS. OPTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.
Responsibilities
- Manage budget planning, financial reporting, and day-to-day financial operations for the department.
- Ensure accurate, timely processing and oversight of Accounts Payable, procurement, vendor management, and reimbursement transactions.
- Review financial activity for compliance with University policies; provide guidance and clarification to staff on procedures and best practices.
- Serve as departmental subject matter expert for Columbia financial systems, including ARC, FDS, FINSYS PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, and Concur.
- Produce detailed in-depth financial analyses and campus-level spending reports to inform leadership decision-making and identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Partner with program leaders and EVPR Associate Director of Finance to monitor and manage budgets; improve resource allocation and enhance accounting efficiency.
- Escalate complex financial matters appropriately and collaborate with University finance offices to ensure resolution.
- Design and implement process improvements, tracking tools, and internal guides to strengthen operational effectiveness and internal controls.
- Monitor and analyze internal University chargebacks and service-related expenses, ensuring billing accuracy, resolving discrepancies, and facilitating timely corrections to maintain fiscal accountability.
- Provide oversight of transactions processed by internal EH&S administrative team.
- Establish annual revenue invoicing process for entities retaining EH&S services and follow up on payments. (e.g. Barnard, NYSPI, Joint Ventures, etc.)
- Maintain complete, audit-ready financial records and documentation.
- Support senior leadership with special projects requiring discretion and analytical rigor.
- Support front end office with administrative back-up (phones, conference room IT prep, etc.)
- Serve as delegate for Executive leadership, processing expenses via the Concur platform.
- Department credit card (pcard and corporate card) administration and reconciliation.
- Other duties as assigned and related to this position.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree can may substitute in part for years of experience.
- Minimum of four to six (4-6) years of progressively responsible experience in business, financial, and/or operational/project management.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis, compliance, and process improvements.
- Experience with Columbia University financial systems (ARC, FDS, FINSYS, PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, Concur) strongly preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office required. Proficiency in Qualtrics and Drupal (or comparable web content management systems) a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across EH&S Programs and organizational levels.
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills; ability to manage competing priorities independently and with minimal supervision.
- High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
- Proven ability to adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
- Type preferred qualifications
Other Requirements
- Type other requirements and/or special indicators if CUIMC
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Job Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Building: 617 West 168th Street, 2nd Flr
Salary Range: $79,500 - $91,700
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Associate Director of Human Resources and Staff Development, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), the Finance Coordinator provides financial management of all EH&S finance processes. This role ensures fiscal integrity, operational efficiency, and compliance with University policies while advancing the mission of EH&S.
The Finance Coordinator serves as the primary liaison to University Finance, represents departmental interests in institutional initiatives, and drives continuous improvement across business processes. The position oversees financial reporting and analysis to evaluate cost efficiency and ensures strong internal controls and audit readiness. Incumbent will work with the EVPR Associate Director of Finance to adhere to set budget parameters.
This role requires sound judgment, discretion in handling confidential matters, cross-functional collaboration, the ability to operate effectively in a dynamic environment, and a thorough understanding of/strict adherence to University finance policies.
SUBJECT TO BUSINESS NEEDS, WE MAY SUPPORT FLEXIBLE AND HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS. OPTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.
Responsibilities
- Manage budget planning, financial reporting, and day-to-day financial operations for the department.
- Ensure accurate, timely processing and oversight of Accounts Payable, procurement, vendor management, and reimbursement transactions.
- Review financial activity for compliance with University policies; provide guidance and clarification to staff on procedures and best practices.
- Serve as departmental subject matter expert for Columbia financial systems, including ARC, FDS, FINSYS PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, and Concur.
- Produce detailed in-depth financial analyses and campus-level spending reports to inform leadership decision-making and identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Partner with program leaders and EVPR Associate Director of Finance to monitor and manage budgets; improve resource allocation and enhance accounting efficiency.
- Escalate complex financial matters appropriately and collaborate with University finance offices to ensure resolution.
- Design and implement process improvements, tracking tools, and internal guides to strengthen operational effectiveness and internal controls.
- Monitor and analyze internal University chargebacks and service-related expenses, ensuring billing accuracy, resolving discrepancies, and facilitating timely corrections to maintain fiscal accountability.
- Provide oversight of transactions processed by internal EH&S administrative team.
- Establish annual revenue invoicing process for entities retaining EH&S services and follow up on payments. (e.g. Barnard, NYSPI, Joint Ventures, etc.)
- Maintain complete, audit-ready financial records and documentation.
- Support senior leadership with special projects requiring discretion and analytical rigor.
- Support front end office with administrative back-up (phones, conference room IT prep, etc.)
- Serve as delegate for Executive leadership, processing expenses via the Concur platform.
- Department credit card (pcard and corporate card) administration and reconciliation.
- Other duties as assigned and related to this position.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required. A Master’s degree can may substitute in part for years of experience.
- Minimum of four to six (4-6) years of progressively responsible experience in business, financial, and/or operational/project management.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis, compliance, and process improvements.
- Experience with Columbia University financial systems (ARC, FDS, FINSYS, PaymentWorks, CU Marketplace, Concur) strongly preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office required. Proficiency in Qualtrics and Drupal (or comparable web content management systems) a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across EH&S Programs and organizational levels.
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills; ability to manage competing priorities independently and with minimal supervision.
- High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
- Proven ability to adapt in a fast-paced, evolving environment and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
- Type preferred qualifications
Other Requirements
- Type other requirements and/or special indicators if CUIMC
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
See all 1,323+ OPT Chief Financial Officer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Chief Financial Officer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Chief Financial Officer
Target companies at the right growth stage
Early-stage startups rarely hire CFOs, and Fortune 500 firms have rigid sponsorship policies. Series B through Series D companies are the sweet spot: they need financial leadership but haven't locked into bureaucratic hiring constraints.
Lead with your CPA or CFA credentials
Licensure matters at the CFO level. Holding an active CPA or CFA signals you meet the professional threshold employers use to justify specialty occupation status, which is central to H-1B visa eligibility after OPT.
Frame your OPT timeline clearly and early
CFO hiring cycles run three to six months. Bring up your OPT expiration date and H-1B sponsorship needs in the first substantive conversation so neither side wastes time on a timeline that won't work.
Emphasize cross-border financial expertise
International candidates bring genuine value at this level: familiarity with foreign currency exposure, transfer pricing, and multi-jurisdiction tax structures. Position your international background as a strategic asset, not a visa complication.
Build relationships with PE and VC-backed boards
Private equity and venture-backed companies hire CFOs through board referrals more than job postings. Attend CFO roundtables, finance leadership events, and investor-adjacent networks where these decisions get made informally.
Negotiate a start date that protects your OPT status
If an offer comes through, confirm the start date falls within your authorized OPT period and that your employer will file for H-1B sponsorship well before your status expires. Get this in writing before signing.
Chief Financial Officer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Chief Financial Officer on OPT?
Yes, CFO is a qualifying specialty occupation for OPT work authorization, provided your degree field relates to the role. Finance, accounting, economics, and MBA degrees are the most common qualifying credentials. The degree-to-job connection needs to be clear, since USCIS will scrutinize this relationship if your employer later files for H-1B sponsorship.
Does a CFO role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your undergraduate or graduate degree is in a STEM-designated field such as financial engineering, data science, or computational finance, and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. A standard finance or accounting degree typically does not qualify, even for a CFO role.
How do I find CFO jobs that offer OPT sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search. The platform surfaces CFO and senior finance leadership roles at companies with a demonstrated history of sponsoring work visas, which saves you from applying to firms that will decline at the offer stage. Filtering by sponsorship track record is the most efficient way to protect your OPT timeline.
What happens if my OPT expires before the H-1B takes effect?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you receive a receipt notice, you may be eligible for a cap-gap extension that bridges your status until October 1, when the new H-1B period begins. You must remain employed by the same sponsoring employer throughout this period. An immigration attorney can help you confirm eligibility and timing.
Do employers see CFO candidates on OPT as a risk?
Some do, particularly large public companies with rigid HR policies. Growth-stage and private equity-backed firms tend to be more flexible, especially when the candidate brings irreplaceable financial expertise. The most effective approach is to address sponsorship directly and early, frame the H-1B process as straightforward for a specialty occupation role, and come in with documented credentials that reinforce your eligibility.