OPT Cost Accounting Manager Jobs
Cost Accounting Manager roles involve overseeing product costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation, work that requires a CPA or advanced degree in accounting or finance. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations under OPT, and many large manufacturers and consumer goods companies have established sponsorship pipelines for this role.
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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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Cost Accounting Manager
Target companies with cost accounting functions, not just accounting departments
Manufacturing, consumer goods, and healthcare companies maintain dedicated cost accounting teams. These employers file H-1B visa petitions regularly for this role and are far more likely to sponsor OPT students than general accounting firms or service businesses.
Highlight ERP experience prominently on your resume
Proficiency in SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics is a hard filter for most Cost Accounting Manager searches. Listing specific modules you've worked in, like SAP CO or Oracle Cost Management, signals technical depth that justifies sponsorship investment.
Bring your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility into early conversations
Accounting degrees from ABET-accredited programs often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Clarifying your full authorized work window upfront removes the biggest employer hesitation before it becomes a dealbreaker in later interview stages.
Pursue CPA licensure or demonstrate active progress toward it
Most Cost Accounting Manager postings list CPA as required or strongly preferred. Candidates who have passed at least two exam sections are treated more seriously by hiring managers and signal a long-term professional commitment that strengthens the sponsorship case.
Frame your experience around business impact, not just accounting tasks
Sponsoring employers want to see that you reduce variance, improve margin analysis, or streamline standard costing processes. Quantify outcomes in your resume and interviews, percentage improvements to reporting cycles or cost accuracy carry more weight than task descriptions.
Ask about the H-1B sponsorship process during the offer stage, not after
Raising sponsorship during final negotiations puts employers in an awkward position. Ask during the second or third interview round whether the company has sponsored H-1B petitions for this role before, and confirm your OPT authorization covers the full hiring timeline.
Cost Accounting Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Cost Accounting Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT?
Yes. Cost Accounting Manager positions consistently qualify as specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field as a standard industry requirement. This means the role supports both F-1 OPT authorization and, later, H-1B sponsorship. Employers filing an H-1B petition for this title face a straightforward specialty occupation argument with USCIS.
Can I work as a Cost Accounting Manager on STEM OPT extension?
You can if your degree qualifies under the STEM Designated Degree Program List. Accounting degrees from programs classified under CIP code 52.0301 are STEM-eligible at many universities, giving you a 24-month extension beyond the initial 12-month OPT period. Confirm your specific degree classification with your DSO before assuming eligibility, since not all accounting programs qualify.
What types of employers are most likely to sponsor OPT students for Cost Accounting Manager roles?
Large manufacturers, consumer packaged goods companies, pharmaceutical firms, and publicly traded corporations with complex inventory structures are the most consistent sponsors. These companies maintain dedicated cost accounting functions and have established legal teams experienced with H-1B petitions. Smaller employers or service-industry companies rarely have the infrastructure or volume of accounting work that justifies this role at the managerial level. Migrate Mate lists employers actively open to OPT candidates in this category.
How much time does my employer need to start the H-1B sponsorship process before my OPT expires?
Your employer needs to file the H-1B petition by April 1 of the fiscal year starting October 1, meaning they must register in March. If your OPT expires before October 1 and you're within the 60-day cap-gap window, your status is protected while the petition is pending. Timing matters significantly here: OPT students with expiration dates in mid-summer are most at risk of a gap if their employer misses the filing window.
Is a CPA license required to get OPT authorization for a Cost Accounting Manager position?
No. OPT authorization is tied to your degree and employment being in a directly related field, not to professional licensure. However, CPA licensure significantly improves your chances of being hired and sponsored. Many employers treat it as a practical requirement even when the job posting lists it as preferred, and candidates with active CPA exam progress are consistently prioritized over those without any licensure pathway.