OPT CPA Jobs

CPA jobs on OPT are widely available at public accounting firms, corporate finance departments, and government agencies. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT rules, and many employers have established STEM extension and H-1B visa sponsorship pathways for accounting professionals.

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Overview

Open Jobs42+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type86% On-site
Median Salary$84K
Top LocationSt Paul, MN
Most JobsMahoney | CPAs and Advisors

Showing 5 of 42+ CPA 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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Lincare
Lead, RT CPAP Support
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Lincare
Added 1mo ago
Lead, RT CPAP Support
Lincare
Clearwater, Florida
Customer Service & Support
Human Resources
Customer Service
Customer Support
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Apria Healthcare
CPAP Clinician
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Apria Healthcare
Added 1mo ago
CPAP Clinician
Apria Healthcare
North Kansas City, Missouri
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$29/hr - $30/hr
On-Site
Associate's
5,001-10,000

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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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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in CPA

Target firms with H-1B sponsorship history

The Big Four and regional public accounting firms have sponsored thousands of H-1B visa petitions for accountants. Prioritize employers with documented sponsorship records rather than assuming sponsorship is available after you start.

Clarify your CPA exam status early

Many employers distinguish between CPA candidates and licensed CPAs when evaluating sponsorship. Being transparent about your exam progress and expected licensure timeline removes uncertainty and signals professional commitment to the hiring team.

Understand your OPT end date before accepting offers

Standard OPT lasts 12 months. If your accounting degree is STEM-designated, you may qualify for a 24-month extension. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before negotiating offer terms or start dates.

Highlight niche technical skills in your application

Proficiency in ERP systems like SAP or Oracle, tax software such as CCH or Thomson Reuters, and data analytics tools differentiates you in a competitive applicant pool and strengthens the specialty occupation case for your visa.

Ask about sponsorship during the offer stage, not after

Raising visa sponsorship after you have an offer gives you more leverage than asking during early screening. By then, the employer has already invested in you, making the sponsorship conversation significantly more productive.

Use your CPA license as a long-term retention argument

Obtaining your CPA license while on OPT demonstrates regulatory compliance and professional progression. Employers sponsoring you for H-1B see a licensed CPA as a lower-risk, higher-value investment worth the sponsorship cost.

CPA OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Do CPA jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your accounting or finance degree was classified under a STEM-eligible CIP code, such as Management Information Systems or certain economics programs, you may qualify for the 24-month STEM extension. A standard accounting degree under CIP 52.0301 is not STEM-designated, so confirm your CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.

How do I find CPA employers who sponsor OPT students?

Migrate Mate filters job listings by OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility, making it straightforward to identify accounting employers actively open to sponsoring international candidates. Public accounting firms at the national and regional level sponsor the most frequently, but corporate tax and audit roles at large companies also produce consistent sponsorship outcomes.

Can I sit for the CPA exam while working on OPT?

Yes. Working on OPT does not restrict your ability to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination. Eligibility is determined by your educational credits and state board requirements, not your visa status. Many F-1 students complete exam sections while employed on OPT, which strengthens both their professional standing and their employer's case for H-1B sponsorship.

What happens to my OPT if I change accounting employers?

You can change employers on OPT, but the new role must be directly related to your degree and qualify as practical training. Report the employer change to your DSO within ten days so your SEVIS record stays current. There is no formal USCIS approval required for the switch, but gaps longer than 90 days in unemployment can jeopardize your OPT authorization.

Do CPA roles at small firms still qualify for H-1B sponsorship?

Yes, small and mid-size firms can sponsor H-1B petitions. The key requirement is that the role qualifies as a specialty occupation, which accounting positions generally satisfy given the degree requirement. Smaller firms may be less familiar with the process, so being prepared to explain the H-1B timeline and cost structure during negotiations can help move the conversation forward.