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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About the Role
Bring your accounting expertise and analytical skills to Concrete Value Corp. as a Job Cost Accountant. In this role, you’ll maintain accurate job cost records, prepare financial reports, and turn project and divisional cost data into insights that support operational and pricing decisions. You’ll collaborate with accounting and operational leaders to strengthen reporting accuracy, improve processes, and support divisional profitability.
What You’ll Do:
General Accounting
- Handle weekly and month-end accounting, including journal entries, reconciliations, general ledger reviews, and discrepancy resolution.
- Keep supporting documentation and account analyses accurate, coordinate timely period closes with Accounting, Purchasing, and Internal Audit, and support process updates as accounting guidance changes.
Job Cost Accounting
- Review job cost coding for payroll, purchase orders, open commitments, extra work orders, billings, lots, options, flatwork, and other project costs.
- Reconcile divisional cost of goods sold to job cost records and prepare related journal entries.
- Partner with Division Managers to evaluate crew size, production speed, efficiency, labor rates, and other cost drivers.
- Analyze pricing, costs, and profitability trends to recommend adjustments; review revenue, commitments, and obligations to support financial projections.
Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Prepare accurate divisional financial and cost reports, compare budgets with actual results, and explain significant variances.
- Participate in monthly financial reviews, communicating changes, risks, and opportunities in clear, actionable terms.
- Deliver special financial analyses and insights that support capital expenditures, operations, and pricing decisions.
Internal Controls and Process Improvement
- Maintain accounting procedures, records, and internal controls, and provide schedules, reconciliations, and explanations for internal and external audits.
- Identify recurring accounting and job cost issues and use technology and spreadsheets to improve accuracy and reduce manual work.
Business Partnership
- Collaborate with the President, Controller, Accounts Receivable Manager, Accounts Payable Manager, Internal Auditor, Division Managers, Purchasing Manager, IT Manager, and Financial Consultant.
- Communicate clearly with accounting and operational leaders while providing accurate, timely, professional support and maintaining confidentiality.
What You’ll Bring
- A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- Spanish Speaking Written and Verbal
- Experience in general accounting, job costing, cost analysis, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
- Construction, manufacturing, or other project-based cost accounting experience is strongly preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, spreadsheets, and data analysis.
- Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, protect confidential information, and meet deadlines.
Pay: $75,000.00 - $83,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- AD&D insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Job Cost Accountant
About the Role
Bring your accounting expertise and analytical skills to Concrete Value Corp. as a Job Cost Accountant. In this role, you’ll maintain accurate job cost records, prepare financial reports, and turn project and divisional cost data into insights that support operational and pricing decisions. You’ll collaborate with accounting and operational leaders to strengthen reporting accuracy, improve processes, and support divisional profitability.
What You’ll Do:
General Accounting
- Handle weekly and month-end accounting, including journal entries, reconciliations, general ledger reviews, and discrepancy resolution.
- Keep supporting documentation and account analyses accurate, coordinate timely period closes with Accounting, Purchasing, and Internal Audit, and support process updates as accounting guidance changes.
Job Cost Accounting
- Review job cost coding for payroll, purchase orders, open commitments, extra work orders, billings, lots, options, flatwork, and other project costs.
- Reconcile divisional cost of goods sold to job cost records and prepare related journal entries.
- Partner with Division Managers to evaluate crew size, production speed, efficiency, labor rates, and other cost drivers.
- Analyze pricing, costs, and profitability trends to recommend adjustments; review revenue, commitments, and obligations to support financial projections.
Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Prepare accurate divisional financial and cost reports, compare budgets with actual results, and explain significant variances.
- Participate in monthly financial reviews, communicating changes, risks, and opportunities in clear, actionable terms.
- Deliver special financial analyses and insights that support capital expenditures, operations, and pricing decisions.
Internal Controls and Process Improvement
- Maintain accounting procedures, records, and internal controls, and provide schedules, reconciliations, and explanations for internal and external audits.
- Identify recurring accounting and job cost issues and use technology and spreadsheets to improve accuracy and reduce manual work.
Business Partnership
- Collaborate with the President, Controller, Accounts Receivable Manager, Accounts Payable Manager, Internal Auditor, Division Managers, Purchasing Manager, IT Manager, and Financial Consultant.
- Communicate clearly with accounting and operational leaders while providing accurate, timely, professional support and maintaining confidentiality.
What You’ll Bring
- A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- Spanish Speaking Written and Verbal
- Experience in general accounting, job costing, cost analysis, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
- Construction, manufacturing, or other project-based cost accounting experience is strongly preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including formulas, spreadsheets, and data analysis.
- Strong mathematical, analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, protect confidential information, and meet deadlines.
Pay: $75,000.00 - $83,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- AD&D insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See all 68+ 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.