OPT Cost Accountant Jobs
Cost Accountant roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in accounting, finance, or a related field. Employers in manufacturing, healthcare, and tech regularly hire for this position. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if eligible, gives you real runway to build experience and secure H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsJob 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.
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 70+ OPT Cost Accountant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Cost Accountant
Target industries with high sponsorship rates
Manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and large tech companies file the most H-1B visa petitions for cost accounting roles. Focusing your search on these sectors increases your odds of finding an employer already familiar with the sponsorship process.
Lead with your technical accounting skills
Employers weigh cost variance analysis, standard costing, and ERP proficiency heavily for this role. Highlighting these skills upfront signals you can contribute immediately, which makes the business case for sponsorship easier for hiring managers to approve.
Use your STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies
Accounting degrees from STEM-designated programs qualify for a 24-month extension, giving employers two additional H-1B lottery attempts on your behalf. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before assuming you qualify.
Prepare to explain cost accounting's specialty occupation status
Some employers hesitate because they are unsure cost accounting meets H-1B specialty occupation criteria. It does, as the role requires a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Being ready to clarify this helps move conversations forward.
Find OPT-friendly employers on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters jobs by visa sponsorship type, so you can focus on cost accountant roles where employers are already open to OPT candidates. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and screening employers manually.
Cost Accountant OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Cost Accountant role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Cost Accountant is widely recognized as a specialty occupation because the role requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field. USCIS has approved H-1B petitions for this title consistently. Your job description should reflect duties like cost variance analysis, inventory accounting, and standard costing to reinforce the degree requirement.
Can I work as a Cost Accountant on OPT without my employer filing any paperwork?
Yes, for standard OPT. Once USCIS approves your EAD, you can work for any employer in a role directly related to your degree without the employer filing anything. For STEM OPT extension, your employer must enroll in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan. Check that your employer meets E-Verify requirements before accepting a STEM OPT role.
How do I find Cost Accountant jobs where the employer is open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this. You can browse cost accountant listings filtered by OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility, so you are not wasting applications on employers who will not consider candidates requiring work authorization. Targeting employers already familiar with OPT significantly shortens your job search timeline.
What happens to my OPT status if my Cost Accountant role is eliminated or I am laid off?
You have a 90-day unemployment allowance across your entire OPT period. If you lose your cost accountant position, the clock starts immediately. Report the change to your DSO and begin your search right away. Finding a new role directly related to your accounting degree restores your authorized employment and pauses the unemployment count.
Does remote work as a Cost Accountant count toward OPT employment requirements?
Yes. Remote work counts as valid OPT employment as long as the role is directly related to your degree and you maintain a formal employment relationship with the sponsoring company. Self-employment and freelance arrangements are not permitted under OPT. Your DSO will need the employer's name, address, and a brief description of how the role relates to your field of study.